Andy Hillenburg, once considered a NASCAR field filler, was the highest bidder as he now owns the North Carolina Motor Speedway.
Two of NASCAR's most historic tracks, North Carolina Motor Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway, have long been scratched from the NASCAR agenda, however, news of a possible resurgence for the two vacant tracks have surfaced.
North Carolina Motor Speedway, better known as Rockingham or The Rock, was auctioned off, and guess who the highest bidder was. No, not some real estate developer looking to put a shopping mall on the land that Rockingham currently sits on. Former NASCAR field filler Andy Hillenburg was the highest bidder. Hillenburg, who will spend at least 4.4 million dollars on the track, hopes to re-open the facility for stock car racing. Unfortunately, NASCAR Sprint Cup is not likely to return to Rockingham. North Carolina Motor Speedway was erased from the NASCAR schedule in 2004.
Andy Hillenburg supposedly has two minority partners.
North Wilkesboro Speedway, which has sat dormant since 1996, may also be re-opened in the near future. Local businessman, Worth Mitchell, is reportedly in negotiations with Bob Bahre, owner of Speedway Motorsports. If things materialize the way Mitchell has envisioned, he hopes to open North Wilkesboro Speedway by 2010. Like Rockingham, the NASCAR Sprint Cup series will not return to North Wilkesboro Speedway, nevertheless, the track could be used for smaller divisions of stock car racing as well as testing.
Other notes- Mike Wallace will drive the #88 Snickers Ford for brother Kenny Wallace at Talladega. Kenny Wallace had been filling in for Ricky Rudd who was injured last month at California. No word on his return.
Jacques Villenueve and Sam Hornish Jr are on the entry list for this weekend's race at Talladega.
