Rockingham Welcomes Fans to Free ARCA Open Test Days

ROCKINGHAM, N.C. – Competitors in ARCA’s return to Rockingham Speedway 
will have the opportunity for an open test session, March 21-22. ARCA 
has not raced at the historic one-mile track since that series’ first 
and so far only race, in 1973.

That first race was won by ARCA star and NASCAR driver Charlie 
Glotzbach, in his Chevelle. “Chargin’ Charlie” won the pole for the 
June 10 race and averaged over 118 mph before taking the checker in 
the Tar Heel 300 over Charlie Blanton.

This year’s Carolina 500 returns the original name of the track’s 
Spring race, at 500 kilometers race distance.

“We’ve had a lot of people waiting for cars back at Rockingham,” said 
new track owner and 1995 ARCA champion Andy Hillenburg. “We’ll have 
race cars on the track from nine to five both days, with a noon to one 
lunch break,” Hillenburg added.

Fans are invited to attend the test sessions both days: “the 
grandstands and infield will be open to fans and we’re expecting a 
good turnout to come watch.”

Race weekend practice will take place Friday, May 2, with more 
practice and qualifying on Saturday. The Carolina 500 will take the 
green flag at noon on Sunday, May 4.

That’s not the end of racing at “The Rock” in 2008 though. The USAR 
Hooters Pro Cup series closes their season at “The Rock” on November 1 
with the American 200.

Hillenburg’s school, Fast Track High Performance Driving School, has 
sessions throughout the year, with courses from the 24-lap Thunder and 
Lightning all the way to the intensive three-day basic oval course. 
Ride-along programs are also available. Courses are held at 
Rockingham, Atlanta, Kentucky, Michigan and Lowe’s Motor Speedway.

Tentative Carolina 500 Race Weekend Schedule

Fri, May 2
1:00 PM          Driver and Spotter Meeting and Draw for Qualifying
2:00-5:00 PM  Practice

Sat, May 3
10:00 AM        SIM Factory Pole Qualifying ( Positions 1 - 25 / 2 laps)
2:30 PM          Second Round Qualifying (Positions 26 - 41 / 2 laps)
5:00-6:00 PM  Final Practice

Sun, May 4
11:30 AM        ARCA RE/MAX Series Driver Introduction
12:00 Noon     Start of the Carolina 500k (312 laps / 312 miles)

For more information on Rockingham, go to www.rockinghamspeedway.com 
or call 910.205.8800 and for more information on the Fast Track Racing 
School, go to www.fasttrackracing.com or call 704.455.1700.