While NASCAR’s Cup Series has the weekend off after Bristol, the Xfinity and Truck Series head to Rockingham, North Carolina, to return to an iconic NASCAR circuit of old. From 1965 to 2004, the Cup Series raced at Rockingham Speedway. While the Truck Series did race here back in 2013, the Xfinity Series hasn’t been to Rockingham since the 2004 season. Now they headline the race weekend with the North Carolina Education Lottery 250.
Who will claim victory in the first NASCAR Xfinity Series race back at Rockingham in 21 years? Let’s dive into the lineup.
North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Entry List
The Xfinity Series has a full field for the events of the weekend, headlined by former Cup Series driver Kasey Kahne. Kahne has not raced in NASCAR since 2018, but returns to drive the #33 car for Richard Childress Racing.
This Rockingham finish has stood the test of time. 📸 pic.twitter.com/RttbC0NAts
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) April 18, 2025
Rockingham features a unique layout for NASCAR, as its length under a mile might lead some to categorize it as a short track. However, with 22 degrees of banking in turns one and two and 25 degrees of banking in turns three and four, the circuit has more aerodynamic dependency than a true short track and causes it to share some tendencies with more intermediate circuits.
I don’t fully know what to expect from a track we haven’t seen in over two decades but I am thrilled to have the Rock back on the schedule – as are NASCAR fans shown by the sellout for Xfinity Series action on Saturday.
North Carolina Education Lottery 250 Predictions
Current points leader in the Xfinity Series and defending champion Justin Allgaier has been on a tear recently, with two wins on the season and some great runs at Martinsville and Bristol. The driver of the #7 has seven top tens through nine races so far in 2025 and makes for a no-brainer winner pick at Rockingham.
3️⃣🏁 Steve Park scores an emotional victory at Rockingham eight days after the death of Dale Earnhardt. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/bAsobwgifC
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) April 17, 2025
The normal lineup of RCR drivers, Jesse Love and Austin Hill, both have a great chance to compete on Saturday, as does Haas Factory Team driver Sam Mayer. Allgaier’s JRM teammates Connor Zilisch, Carson Kvapil, and Sammy Smith also possess a number of strong runs this season.
Ultimately, this race will come down to who adjusts to an unfamiliar track the quickest. It’s a bit of a cop out on my part, but Allgaier’s time in the series, coupled with his successes this year leads me to believe he will be out front when the checkered flag flies on Saturday.
Check out the schedule below so you don’t miss any on-track action this weekend.
Friday 04/18
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying – 12:30 p.m. CT on FS2
Black’s Tire 200 (NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series) – 4:00 p.m. CT on FS1
Saturday 04/19
NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying – 10:30 a.m. CT on the CW App
ARCA 125 (ARCA Menards Series) – 12:00 p.m. CT on FloRacing and the NASCAR Tubi Channel
North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire (NASCAR Xfinity Series) – 3:00 p.m. CT on the CW
I can’t wait to see NASCAR back at Rockingham. This track produced some incredible finishes in its final days. Its so good to have such an iconic circuit back, even if we don’t have Cup action yet.
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