North Carolina Education Lottery 250 At Rockingham Speedway: O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Entry List

Rockingham Speedway has a way of reminding everyone why it still matters. The surface is worn, the pace is relentless, and the margin for error shrinks with every lap. Drivers don’t ease into a weekend here. They adapt, or they fall behind.

The Rock forces teams to think differently. Tire wear becomes the entire conversation, and long‑run pace matters more than anything that shows up on a stopwatch. The drivers who succeed here are those who understand how to manage a race rather than simply attack it.

This Saturday, with the Cup Series idle, the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series takes center stage on a track that exposes weaknesses faster than any simulation ever could. Thirty‑eight teams arrive knowing Rockingham doesn’t hand out easy afternoons. It rewards patience, preparation, and the ability to stay disciplined when the falloff hits harder than expected.

Rockingham: The Spring’s First Measuring Stick

Rockingham never offers a gentle reentry into the season. The abrasive surface demands tire conservation from the opening laps, and long green‑flag stretches magnify every mistake. Drivers routinely experience 1.3–1.7 seconds of falloff over a 30‑lap run, and teams that miss their setup feel it immediately.

The spring event has historically averaged 6–8 cautions, and the narrow groove becomes a hazard when the field stacks up off Turn 2. Heavy lateral loads and sustained throttle time make Rockingham one of the toughest tracks on right‑rear tire wear. Teams that unload with balance usually control the early stages.

Those who miss the mark spend the afternoon fighting the surface instead of the competition. This race also serves as the first major tire‑management test of the year. A strong run here can launch a driver into the spring stretch with momentum, while a bad day can bury a season before April arrives.

A Season Already Full of Storylines

The 2026 season has already produced parity not seen since 2020, with multiple winners tightening the competitive landscape. Veterans have stumbled, young drivers have surged, and Rockingham becomes the first track where long‑run discipline outweighs raw speed. Teams relying on qualifying pace alone will find themselves vulnerable.

The Rock has a way of revealing who has their program together and who is still searching for answers. With thirty‑eight cars entered and only one trophy waiting in Victory Lane, the margin for error is razor‑thin. Every decision carries weight on a surface this unforgiving. One lapse in judgment can erase an entire afternoon.

Every decision carries consequences on a track this unforgiving, especially when the field stretches out, and tire wear becomes the defining factor. Rockingham often reshuffles the standings in ways few tracks can. A top‑ten finish here usually signals a team capable of contending through the spring, while a poor showing can create a hole that takes months to climb out of.

Breaking Down The Entry List

The official Entry List paints a picture of a field with multiple storylines converging at once. Short‑track specialists, intermediate‑track veterans, grassroots champions, and high‑profile newcomers all arrive with something to prove. The depth of this group ensures that qualifying and pit execution will matter more than usual.

Sammy Smith returns as the defending winner after leading the final 79 laps last year. Justin Allgaier and Austin Hill enter with two of the strongest tire‑management résumés in the series. Rising talents like Carson Kvapil and Corey Day bring raw speed and developing racecraft to a track that demands patience.

Several mid‑tier teams also bring upgraded packages, hoping Rockingham’s falloff levels the playing field. The combination of experience, youth, and strategic variance creates one of the most balanced fields of the early season. That mix should make every position harder to earn.

Five Drivers Entering Rockingham As The Strongest Threats

Rockingham rewards discipline, rhythm, and the ability to survive long green‑flag stretches. The Entry List features several drivers with the résumés and tire‑management instincts to control the race from the opening laps.

Sammy Smith: Joe Gibbs Racing

Smith returns as the defending winner after mastering Rockingham’s long‑run rhythm in 2025. His median lap time ranked top‑three, and his falloff curve was among the most stable. Smith’s ability to maintain pace deep into a run makes him a clear threat again.

Justin Allgaier: JR Motorsports

Allgaier’s average finish on high‑wear tracks over the past two seasons sits inside the top ten. He has led more than 150 laps at abrasive ovals since 2023, and his restart execution remains one of the best in the series.

Austin Hill: Richard Childress Racing

Hill’s aggressive style pairs well with Rockingham’s demands. His ability to generate forward drive off the corner exit gives him a major advantage during long runs. Hill has recorded top‑ten finishes in five of his last six high‑wear track starts.

Carson Kvapil: JR Motorsports

Kvapil enters with a CARS Tour championship and a 2025 short‑track average finish of 6.4. His discipline in traffic continues to improve with each national‑series start. Rockingham plays directly into his strengths.

Corey Day: Hendrick Motorsports

Day arrived with more than 30 national‑level victories before turning 20. Hendrick Motorsports’ short‑track history gives him elite equipment to match his natural pace. If he adjusts quickly to Rockingham’s falloff curve, he could be a surprise contender.

The Defending Winner Returns

Sammy Smith immediately stands out. His ability to manage pace over long runs, protect his right‑rear tire, and maintain consistent lap times made him the class of the field last year. Smith’s falloff curve ranked among the lowest in the field, and his restart control sealed the victory.

Returning with the same team and similar conditions, Smith enters as one of the clearest threats to repeat. If Smith qualifies inside the top five, he becomes even more dangerous. He rarely gives up track position once he settles into a rhythm. And his team knows exactly how to keep the balance where he needs it.

A Massive Debut For Garrett Mitchell

Garrett Mitchell, widely known as Cleetus McFarland, makes his O’Reilly Auto Parts Series debut in the No. 33 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing. Mitchell impressed earlier this year with a composed performance in the Truck Series opener at Daytona, showcasing legitimate car control and racecraft.

Rockingham presents a far different challenge, but RCR equipment paired with Mitchell’s adaptability creates one of the most intriguing variables in the field. His ability to manage tire wear will determine whether he becomes a mid‑pack story or a legitimate contender.

JR Motorsports Brings The Heat

JR Motorsports arrives with one of the strongest lineups in the field. Justin Allgaier brings veteran savvy and short‑track mastery, while Carson Kvapil adds late‑model pedigree and rising‑star momentum. Sammy Smith strengthens the group even further.

The team’s recent performance on high‑wear tracks has been consistent, and their ability to adjust during long green‑flag stretches gives them a clear advantage. They rarely miss the balance as the track changes.

Series Regulars Looking To Make A Statement

The backbone of the series arrives with something to prove. Jeremy Clements brings more than 450 career starts, and Sheldon Creed enters with a strong record on abrasive tracks. Brent Crews and Connor Mosack see this race as a chance to announce themselves.

Five of the last seven Rockingham winners finished inside the top eight in points, underscoring how important this race is for long‑term momentum. It’s a trend teams pay attention to every spring. A strong run here usually signals a program headed in the right direction.

Why This Entry List Matters

This Entry List blends championship contenders, grassroots champions, and rising stars into one of the most competitive Rockingham fields in recent memory. Thirty‑eight cars on a sub‑one‑mile track guarantees traffic, strategy swings, and pressure‑packed restarts.

Qualifying becomes a critical separator because passing grows more difficult as the field stretches out. Track position shapes the entire afternoon here. One mistake in time trials can trap a driver for the rest of the race.

O’Reilly Auto Parts Series At Rockingham Speedway

North Carolina Education Lottery 250: Full Entry List

1. Sheldon Creed — No. 00 — Haas Factory Team
2. Garrett Smithley — No. 0 — SS GreenLight Racing
3. Carson Kvapil — No. 1 — JR Motorsports
4. Jesse Love — No. 2 — Richard Childress Racing
5. Ryan Ellis — No. 02 — Young’s Motorsports
6. J.J. Yeley — No. 5 — Hettinger Racing
7. Justin Allgaier — No. 7 — JR Motorsports
8. Josh Bilicki — No. 07 — SS GreenLight Racing
9. Sammy Smith — No. 8 — JR Motorsports
10. Corey Day — No. 17 — Hendrick Motorsports
11. William Sawalich — No. 18 — Joe Gibbs Racing
12. Brent Crews — No. 19 — Joe Gibbs Racing
13. Brandon Jones — No. 20 — Joe Gibbs Racing
14. Austin Hill — No. 21 — Richard Childress Racing
15. Harrison Burton — No. 24 — Sam Hunt Racing
16. Dean Thompson — No. 26 — Sam Hunt Racing
17. Jeb Burton — No. 27 — Jordan Anderson Racing
18. Kyle Sieg — No. 28 — RSS Racing
19. Blaine Perkins — No. 31 — Jordan Anderson Racing
20. Andrew Patterson — No. 32 — Jordan Anderson Racing
21. Cleetus McFarland — No. 33 — Richard Childress Racing
22. Joey Gase — No.35 — Joey Gase Motorsports
23. Ryan Sieg — No. 39 — RSS Racing
24. Sam Mayer — No. 41 — Haas Factory Team
25. Nathan Byrd — No. 42 — Young’s Motorsports
26. Brennan Poole — No. 44 — Alpha Prime Racing
27. Lavar Scott — No. 45 — Alpha Prime Racing
28. Patrick Staropoli — No. 48 — Big Machine Racing
29. Jeremy Clements — No. 51 — Jeremy Clements Racing
30. Taylor Gray — No. 54 — Joe Gibbs Racing
31. Blake Lothian — No. 55 — Joey Gase Motorsports
32. Dawson Cram — No.74 — Mike Harmon Racing
33. Austin Green — No.87 — Peterson Racing Group
34. Rajah Caruth — No. 88 — JR Motorsports
35. Alex Labbe — No. 91 — DGM Racing X JIM
36. Josh Williams — No. 92 — DGM Racing X JIM
37. Anthony Alfredo — No. 96 — Viking Motorsports
38. Parker Retzlaff — No. 99 — Viking Motorsports

What This Means

Survival becomes the priority. Rockingham punishes mistakes instantly, and drivers must save their equipment while fighting for every inch of track position. Every point matters, especially with the spring stretch looming.

Teams that manage their tires, maintain their balance, and stay composed through long runs will rise to the front. They know patience often pays more than aggression here. One bad stretch can undo an entire strategy.

All Eyes On Rockingham

The haulers are parked. The tires are mounted. The 38‑car field prepares for one of the most demanding races of the spring. Veterans arrive with experience, rookies arrive with ambition, and wild cards like Mitchell arrive with something to prove.

When the field charges into Turn 1 on Saturday afternoon, every driver will brace for whatever The Rock decides to give or take. The opening laps usually set the tone for the entire race. Nobody wants to be the first one caught out by the falloff.

What’s Next

Rockingham resets the balance of power. A deep entry list, multiple contenders, and a track that rewards discipline over aggression create a proving ground that will shape the early championship picture. Strong runs here build momentum for the spring stretch, while mistakes can bury a season before April arrives.