ROCKINGHAM ó The Rockingham Speedway and Salisbury-based Cheerwine are teaming up to start a new Fourth of July tradition.
Cheerwine has partnered with the speedway to be the title sponsor of the inaugural Cherry Bomb 200.
The Cheerwine Cherry Bomb 200 is a special doubleheader race featuring the Kimmel Street Stock Series and the ASA Late Model Series on July 4.
The Kimmel Street Stock Series’ first race at the Rockingham Speedway was the Polar Bear 150, which kicked off the New Year on Jan. 1 and was one of the most popular and most talked about races at the track.
The Street Stocks will race 100 laps starting at 10 a.m. on Independence Day, with practice and qualifying on July 3.
“We are very excited about getting to come back to Rockingham,” said series founder Frank Kimmel. “Our first race was a very exciting race; hopefully we can come back for the Cherry Bomb and put on an even better show.
“The best racing we have seen in a long time took place at the first Polar Bear race, and we look forward to getting even more cars and putting on an even better show this year.”
The ASA portion of the 200 will also include 100 laps of racing for “America’s Premier Short Track Series.” The ASA Late Model Series uses a crate engine, coil over shocks with a fiberglass body on the 2,700-pound cars.
“I can’t put into words how excited I am,” said Ron Varney, ASA Late Model Series president. “To land an event at such a historic place is truly an honor and privilege few series get to experience.”
“I can’t think of a better way to spend the Fourth of July than with some exciting racing at ‘The Rock’ and an ice-cold Cheerwine,” said Rockingham Speedway President Andy Hillenburg. “The Frank Kimmel Street Stocks put on a heck of a show at the Polar Bear 150 and it should be a better show for our fans this time around. Also, we are looking forward to seeing the show that the ASA Late Model Stock Cars will put on in their first trip to the speedway.”
For more information about the Cheerwine Cherry Bomb 200 or to order tickets, contact the speedway at 910- 205-8800 or visit www.rockinghamspeedway.com.