Speedway Motorsports Inc. plans to sell North Carolina Motor Speedway in Rockingham at auction, according to the Richmond County Daily Journal.

That newspaper reported today that Lowe’s Motor Speedway president and general manager H.A. “Humpy:” Wheeler sent a letter to Rockingham mayor Gene McLaurin last week informing him of the decision.

“I wanted to make you aware ahead of time that our company has made the decision to sell North Carolina Motor Speedway via an auction,” Wheeler wrote in the letter dated June 13.

The track was built in 1965. SMI purchased it in 2004 and moved its remaining Nextel Cup race date to Texas Motor Speedway.

“We regret we have to make this decision but we really have no other choice,” Wheeler’s letter said. “We have been unable to sell it and track rentals are simply not enough to keep the facility running.”

The track has been used as a testing facility and for other special events and movies since it lost its last Cup race.

McLaurin said he hopes whoever buys the track won’t tear down the race track. Jerry Gappens, a spokesman for SMI, said despite recent rumors to the contrary, no one has contacted SMI about using the track for any other type or racing.

Wheeler’s letter said that possibility has been explored.

“As I have stated in the past, we think it is unpractical for us to attempt other types of races there such as Busch or Craftsman Trucks,” Wheeler wrote. “We believe they too, as stand alone events, will be significantly unprofitable.”

No date has been set for the auction.

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