City: Charlotte, NC

Category: Spectator Sports

Telephone: (704) 455-3200

Description: The racing fervor that fills the Queen City anytime NASCAR races are taking place is something that must be experienced by anyone who visits Charlotte. The city is a hotbed for racing enthusiasts, often drawing crowds in excess of 200,000 to Charlotte Motor Speedway when the big races come to town.Located 12 miles northeast of Charlotte, the 2,010-acre Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts many races and shows year-round. However, the main attractions are its three NASCAR Sprint Cup dates—the Sprint All-Star Race, the Coca-Cola 600, and the Bank of America 500. Other noted races are the Nationwide Series 300-miler and the Truck Series 200-miler.Stock-car racing started as summer fun on Carolina red-clay tracks, a sport that grew out of the days when moonshiners tried to outrun the law on backcountry roads. But as the sport has grown into a multibillion-dollar industry and fans have scattered across the country, NASCAR officials have moved a lot of races out of the Carolinas. Fortunately for Charlotteans, the owners of Charlotte Motor Speedway keep the 1.5-mile track updated with the latest amenities, so Charlotte remains the epicenter of NASCAR racing. Many of the sport’s superstars—including Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson, Ryan Newman, and Matt Kenseth—live here, and most of the race teams are based just north of town around Lake Norman. The Coca-Cola 600 is one of the best-attended sporting events in the world. An entire tourism industry has been built around our track, shops, and races. And the addition of the NASCAR Hall of Fame only solidifies our place in the sport.If you’re new to the sport and planning a trip to Charlotte Motor Speedway, here are several key points to keep in mind before heading to the track. Since many events are sold out in advance, get your tickets early. The best seats are higher up in the stands on the front stretch. Leave for the track very early and allow plenty of time for parking. Bring a cooler packed with refreshments, as this will save time waiting in line at the concession stands, but make sure your cooler is not larger or taller than 14 inches and you don’t bring any glass containers. You may also want to bring a seat cushion, as well as earplugs to protect against the loud noise.Part of the May race festivities take place Uptown with Speed Street, a three-day street festival with driver appearances and autograph signings, interactive exhibits, food vendors, family-friendly activities, racing souvenirs, and live music ranging from rock and roll to country to urban and alternative.If you’re not visiting during race weeks in May and Oct, you can still check out the Speedway with on-track tours open to the public. Tours are offered Mon through Sat from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. and Sun from 1 until 4 p.m. Call the track office for more information.