IHRA buys Piedmont Dragway and Rockingham Speedway, plans upgrades

The International Hot Rod Association completed purchases of two North Carolina motorsports venues on Jan. 15, acquiring Piedmont Dragway in Guilford County and Rockingham Speedway. IHRA owner Darryl Cuttell outlined a slate of immediate infrastructure investments at Piedmont Dragway aimed at modernizing the Triad-area drag strip and expanding its event calendar beyond peak race weekends.

Planned upgrades at Piedmont Dragway include improved lighting, new electronic timing systems, replacement bleachers, installation of restraining walls and resurfacing of transition areas between the track and staging lanes. The organization also signaled an intent to expand fan amenities and develop year-round programming to attract more regular activity and a wider mix of motorsports and community events.

The purchase follows renewed attention to Rockingham Speedway, which recently hosted NASCAR events that generated noticeable economic activity in the surrounding counties. Rockingham has opened practice dates to teams and drivers as it rebuilds event momentum; IHRA's acquisition of both venues creates operational links that could steer more regional events, practice sessions and series-level competition to the Triad. Local motorsports vendors and hospitality businesses have expressed optimism that increased scheduling will translate into more room nights, restaurant traffic and supplier work.

Economically, the transaction and planned capital work carry multiple near- and medium-term effects for Guilford County. Construction and safety upgrades will require contractors and crews, creating short-term jobs and local purchasing for materials and services. If IHRA succeeds in expanding programming, recurring events can produce sustained gains for hotels, food service, fuel retailers and aftermarket parts shops through visitor spending and secondary employment. Those impacts typically show up in sales-tax receipts and seasonal hiring spikes during racing seasons.

Residents should also expect operational changes around event weekends. More frequent activity at Piedmont Dragway would increase weekend traffic, demand for parking and the need for crowd and noise management in nearby neighborhoods. Local governments and venue operators will need to coordinate on permitting, public safety and infrastructure support to manage growth without eroding quality of life.

For Guilford County, the deal represents a bet that motorsports can be a steady economic engine rather than a once-a-year draw. Watch for venue calendars and announced event schedules in coming weeks; expanded practice dates and special events will be the first signals of how quickly IHRA moves from purchase to regular programming that benefits local businesses and workers.