Return Of The Rock: Previewing The ARCA 125 at Rockingham Speedway

For the first time in 13 years, the ARCA Menards Series East is venturing to Southern North Carolina as part of NASCAR’s return to the famous 1.017-mile oval at Rockingham Speedway, contesting the eighth annual Rockingham ARCA 125.

The season kicked off last month with newly signed Joe Gibbs Racing prospect Max Reaves dominating in his debut at Five Flags Speedway. Leading 95 of the scheduled 150 laps, Reaves swiped away the victory over Kole Raz.

Reaves, even though he’ll only run three ARCA Menards Series East events in 2025, currently leads the standings by six points over Kole Raz. Tyler Reif leads all full-time drivers with the most points at 41 over Isaac Kitzmiller, who is currently scored at 39 points entering Rockingham Speedway.

The last time the ARCA East Series raced at this facility, Tyler Reddick, who would eventually become a NASCAR Cup Series winner, achieved his first career victory in the ARCA East. The event also featured prominent Cup Series drivers such as 2020 NASCAR Cup Series champion Chase Elliott and 2021 champion Kyle Larson. Other notable participants included Bubba Wallace, Corey Lajoie, and Brett Moffitt, among others.

For Saturday’s race at Rockingham, 28 cars will compete for 32 spots, featuring some strong contenders vying for victory on race day.

William Sawalich is back behind the wheel for double duty in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA East Series in the No. 18 Toyota Camry for JGR. Defending ARCA Menards Series winner from Phoenix Raceway, Brent Crews, will team up with Sawalich, piloting the No. 81 Mobil 1 Toyota Camry.

Spencer Gallagher, who recently signed a four-race deal with Sigma Performance Services, is making his return to stock car racing for the first time since 2018. Gallagher, who hasn’t competed in an ARCA-sanctioned race in over a decade, will drive the No. 24 Chevrolet.

NASCAR Xfinity Series road course specialist Austin Green, the son of the 1994 Xfinity Series champion, David Green, will make his ARCA East debut, piloting the No. 28 Chevrolet for Pinnacle Racing Group.

Rev Racing’s driver development team, featuring Lanie Buice and Eloy Falcon Lopez, will make their ARCA debuts on Saturday. Buice will drive the No. 2 Chevrolet, while Falcon Lopez will be in the No. 10, in collaboration with Fast Track Racing. Additionally, ARCA Menards Series regular Lavar Scott will take the wheel of the flagship No. 6 car.

Additional notable entries include full-time competitors such as Isaac Kitzmiller, Zachary Tinkle, Timmy Hill, London McKenzie, Takuma Koga, and others.

The 150-lap, 125-mile race will take place in Rockingham, giving the 28 drivers a greater incentive to compete for the trophy at this historic venue that has been standing since 1965.

The Rockingham ARCA 125 at Rockingham Speedway will be broadcast live on FloRacing on April 19 at 1 PM EST, as well as on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 and ARCARacing.com.