In the Queen City, it’s no secret that racing reigns supreme. Home to more than a dozen race team headquarters, the Charlotte area also boasts the popular Charlotte Motor Speedway, a racing Hall of Fame and many other high-octane racing attractions. Attention, all race fans: If you’re looking for NASCAR in Charlotte, rev your engines and gear up for some seriously-fast fun.
Go beyond the race at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway tours are an excellent way to get a close-up view of the action at this racing mecca.
As the host track for the popular Coca-Cola 600 in May and the Bank of America Roval 400 in September, Charlotte’s premier loop is most popular in spring and fall, but a Charlotte Motor Speedway ride-along is a must for racing fans any time of year. Ride along two infield racetracks and get an up-close look at the Cup Series garage on Feel the Thrill, one of the best Charlotte Motor Speedway tours. Not visiting in the spring or fall? Don’t worry. A visit to the Speedway offers many other NASCAR in Charlotte perks—including Cars and Coffee, a “cruise-in” event held on the third Saturday of every month, when car and racing enthusiasts gather in the Fan Zone to share a cup of joe and their love of cars. In December, you can catch holiday movies at the giant Speedway TV drive-in, Thursday through Sunday evenings.
Put yourself in the driver’s seat
You can zoom past your friends in a go-kart at GoPro Motorplex in Charlotte, where a track inspired by a real Italian race circuit awaits.
Get behind the wheel and feel the rush firsthand at one of the Charlotte area’s many driving experiences. Channel the King himself at the Richard Petty Driving Experience, where you’ll hop inside a real race car for an eight-minute solo session on the Charlotte Motor Speedway track. Too much thrill for your taste? Ride shotgun at top speeds with a professional instructor or opt for alternative high-adrenaline racing experiences at the GoPro Motorplex in nearby Mooresville—where the outdoor 0.7-mile, 11-turn kart track is modeled after the famous Kartdromo Parma circuit in Italy. For indoor racing, try Victory Lane Karting, and then hit their arcade or restaurant.
Brush up on racing history
Explore the storied history of U.S. professional stock car racing at the hall of fame in Uptown Charlotte, the city where it began.
Absorb the energy and stroll through history by way of race car exhibits, memorabilia and interactive experiences at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte. Looking for an all-access, no-fuss tour? Check out the Racing Insiders Tour, with two routes: Interstate 77 or 85. Each all-day tour starts at the hall with a welcome and behind-the-scenes look at the exhibits. Following lunch, tour local racing garages like Team Penske race shop, Kyle Busch Motorsports (Interstate 77), Roush Fenway Racing and Chip Ganassi Racing (Interstate 85). Memory Lane Museum in Mooresville is a short drive from Charlotte. Here, you’ll dig deep into the stock car racing story, from its moonshine runners to today’s impressively crafted high-performance race cars.
Shop ’til you drop
Charlotte is home to the campus of the legendary Hendrick Motorsports, where you can see race shops in action and explore the team’s winning history. CREDIT: Hendrick Motorsports
Start early and give yourself some time, because the Charlotte area is home to more than a dozen race teams and garages—n fact, 90% of the sport’s race shops are located in Concord, Kannapolis and the greater Charlotte area. Many are free of charge and open to the public (check individual sites for details). From Joe Gibbs Racing and Richard Childress Racing to the Hendrick Motorsports Museum and Team Store, there’s no shortage of under-the-hood fun in the area. Stop by and have a behind-the-scenes look at how much goes into preparing for race day.
Fuel up at these dining spots
You and your friends can make a pit stop at one of two Charlotte locations for Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Whiskey River, featuring “JR’s Favorite” chicken-tender salad.
While it’s true that Charlotte Motor Speedway guests eat 34,000 slices of pizza over the course of a race weekend, there is another option at the track: The Speedway Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway offers top-notch track views with a diverse menu, including light fare like salads and salmon, and comfort food classics like nachos, burgers and wings. Membership is required, but the Club is also open to the public for lunch and dinner on a one-time basis. In Uptown Charlotte, test-drive the menu at Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Whisky River (there’s also one at the Charlotte Douglas International Airport), which serves up a “pit-stop combo” appetizer plus a menu stocked with salads, wraps, barbecue and burgers. For a laid-back tacos-and-tequila spot, try Southbound, co-owned by Jimmie Johnson. Who knows? You might even catch a glimpse of the Cup Series champ himself! If you're making a longer pit-stop in Charlotte, be sure to explore some of the other local hot spots and local craft breweries too.
Whether you’re looking to learn a bit about what goes into race day, dig into your favorite team’s shop, get your pulse racing at a live event or experience the open track yourself, a deep dive into NASCAR in Charlotte satisfies every racing fan’s need for speed.