While no one will be able to take credit for the good weather expected in Richmond County this weekend, one person will be happy to see the sunny skies.

“Good weather makes you look like a great promoter,” said Rockingham Dragway president Steve Earwood. “The forecast is as important as anything else because people will start making plans for the week. With the great forecast, our phones have been picking up.”

The weekend of events kicked off Thursday night with Earwood and the Dragway playing host to members of the Richmond County, Moore County and Scotland County Chambers of Commerce. Two of the attendees were able to jump into a dragster and race down the quarter mile like this weekend’s participants.

Last year, the IHRA Spring Nationals attracted nearly 45,000 people for the three days and Earwood hopes to have the same amount for this year’s event. However, he understands if fewer race fans are able to attend because of the country’s economic situation.

Even with the cloud of economic uncertainty in the air, Earwood has an optimistic view on the weekend.

“I’m hoping for some great racing, safe racing, a great crowd - a hungry and thirsty crowd,” Earwood said. “If we have less fans here, it’s totally understandable. You can even watch a Sprint Cup race and see lots of empty seats.”

While Earwood gives a slight nod to NASCAR and its popularity, he knows drag racing is able to give something to its fans and they are unable to get elsewhere - full access.

“Drag racing, unlike stock cars, allows its fans to go in the pits,” Earwood said. “It’s like going into a team’s locker room. Fans can watch a team rebuild a engine or even talk to the driver.”

The IHRA Spring Nationals will highlight the series’ Top Fuel, Pro Modified and Pro Stock classes at the Rockingham Dragway. Also, sportsman racers will complete at “North Carolina’s Fastest Track.”

While the IHRA’s drivers will be the main focus of the weekend, Earwood has more entertainment planned for the fans. Kevin Martin will attempted to set a world record on his Ballistic Eagle motorcycle and Super Shockwave, a jet truck, will battle monster truck Grave Digger in a world drag racing first.

Earwood acknowledged the media attention Richmond County has been receiving the last two weeks as racing returned to Rockingham is refreshing.

“I think it’s great having the national spotlight and focus,” he said. “The guys across the street (Rockingham Speedway) had a great event and were live on national TV. We will have national media covering us and we have drivers from 27 states, Canada and Aruba.”