Charlotte Motor Speedway
Encyclopedia
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a motorsports complex located in Concord
, North Carolina
, United States
13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina
. The complex features a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) quad oval
track that hosts NASCAR
racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600
on Memorial Day
weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race. The speedway was built in 1959 by Bruton Smith
and is considered the home track for NASCAR with many race teams located in the Charlotte area. The track is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports (SMI) with Marcus G. Smith
(son of Bruton Smith) as track president.
The 2000 acres (809.4 ha) complex also features a state-of-the-art 0.25 mile (0.402335 km) drag racing
strip, ZMAX Dragway. It is the only all-concrete, four-lane drag strip in the United States and hosts NHRA events. Alongside the drag strip is a state-of-the-art clay oval that hosts dirt racing including the World of Outlaws
finals.
and partner and driver Curtis Turner
in 1959. The first World 600 NASCAR
race was held at the 1.5 miles (2.4 km) speedway on June 19, 1960. In 1961, the speedway fell into Chapter 11 reorganization but quickly recovered despite the lagging ticket sales. Smith departed from the speedway in 1962 to pursue other business interests. He became quite successful and began buying shares of stock in the speedway and, by 1975, had become the majority stockholder, regaining control of its day-to-day operations. Smith hired H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler as general manager in 1976 and together the two began to implement plans for improvement and expansion of the speedway.
In the following years, new grandstands and luxury suites were added along with modernized concessions and restrooms to increase the comfort for race fans. Smith Tower, a 135000 square feet (12,541.9 m²), seven-story facility was built and connected to the grandstands in 1988. The tower houses the speedway corporate officers, ticket office, gift shop, leased offices and The Speedway Club; and exclusive dining and entertainment facility. The speedway became the first sports facility in America to offer year round living accommodations when 40 condominiums were built overlooking turn 1 in 1984, twelve additional condominium units were later added in 1991.
In 1992, Smith and Wheeler directed the installation of a $1.7 million, 1,200-fixture permanent lighting system around the track developed by Musco lighting. The track became the first modern superspeedway to host night racing, and was the largest lighted speedway until 1998 when lights were installed around the 2.5 miles (4 km) Daytona International Speedway
. In 1994, Smith and Wheeler added a new $1 million, 20000 square feet (1,858.1 m²) garage area to the speedway's infield.
From 1997 to 1999 the track hosted the Indycar Series
. On lap 61 of the 1999 race, a crash led to a car losing a tire, which was then propelled into the grandstands by another car. Three spectators were killed and eight other were injured in the incident. The race was canceled shortly after, and the series has not returned to the track since. The incident, along with a similar incident in July 1998 in a Champ Car
race at Michigan International Speedway
, led to new rules requiring cars to have tethers attached to wheel hubs to prevent tires from breaking away in a crash. Also following the crash, the catch fencing at Charlotte and other SMI owned tracks was raised from 15 feet (4.6 m) high with 3 foot (0.9144 m) overhangs to 21 feet (6.4 m) with 6 feet (1.8 m) overhangs to help prevent debris from entering the stands.
In February 1999, Lowe's
bought the naming rights
to the speedway, making it the first race track in the country with a corporate sponsor. Lowe's chose not to renew its naming rights after the 2009 NASCAR season
. The track reverted to its original name, Charlotte Motor Speedway, in 2010
.
In 2005, the surface of the track had begun to wear since its last repaving in 1994. This resulted in track officials diamond-grinding the track, a process known as levigation, to smooth out bumps that had developed. The grinded surface caused considerable tire-wear problems in both of the NASCAR races that year. Both races saw a high number of accidents as a result of tire failure due to the roughness of the surface. In 2006, the track was completely repaved.
Track president "Humpy" Wheeler retired following the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2008, and was replaced by Marcus Smith. At the end of 2008, the speedway reduced capacity by 25,000 citing reduced ticket sales. At the same time, the front stretch seats were upgraded form 18 inches (45.7 cm) fold down seats to 22 inches (55.9 cm) stadium style seats.
On September 22, 2010, CMS announced a partnership with Panasonic
to install the World's largest high definition video board at the track. The video board will measure approximately 200 feet (61 m) wide by 80 feet (24.4 m) tall, containing over 9 million LEDs and will be situated between turn 2 and 3 along the track's backstretch. The installation of the video board is now completed.
Contained within the main oval is a 2.25 miles (3.6 km) road course and a 0.6 mile (0.965604 km) Kart course. Between the front stretch is a 0.25 mile (0.402335 km) flat oval designed after Bowman-Gray Stadium. The 1/4 Mile track currently host the NASCAR
Whelen Southern Modified Tour
, the Summer Shootout Series and other events such as the Legends Millon.
The dragway features the only all-concrete, four-lane drag strip in the United States. The starting line tower is 34000 square feet (3,158.7 m²) and includes 16 luxury suites, race control areas and a press box. Two grandstands, one on their side of the strip, can hold a combined 30,000 spectators. Twenty-four luxury suites with hospitality accommodations are located above the main grandstand. Two tunnels run underneath the strip to enhance fan mobility between the two grandstands.
World Finals.
Sprint Cup Series:
NASCAR
Nationwide Series:
NASCAR
Camping World Truck Series:
NASCAR
Whelen Southern Modified Tour
NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:
INEX raceCeiver Legends Car Series
World of Outlaws
, and it is a popular tourist stop and car testing grounds. The facility also hosts several driving schools year-round, such as Richard Petty Driving Experience, where visitors have the opportunity to experience the speedway from a unique point-of-view behind the wheel of a race car.http://www.drivepetty.com/race-tracks/charlotte-motor-speedway
The feature of the April 2005 Spring Food Lion Auto Fair at the speedway was a popular sculpture exhibition, Jim Gary
's Twentieth Century Dinosaurs. It is a menagerie of Garysauruses, all life-sized, and constructed of automobile parts. A special tent housed the heavily attended exhibition and a huge Gary sculpture, over forty feet long, was displayed at the entrance to the raceway during the entire fair. H. A. "Humpy" Wheeler and the speedway then sponsored the funding for the traveling sculpture exhibition to be featured by Belk College of Business
on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
where a self-guided tour of the campus-wide display was extended to the end of July.
NOTE: NHRA does not keep records for Top Fuel or Funny Car because of the 1,000 foot distance used in those two classes when the track opened.
Concord, North Carolina
Concord is a city in the U.S. state of North Carolina. According to Census 2010, the city has a current population of 79,066. It is the largest city in Cabarrus County and is the county seat. In terms of population, the city of Concord is the second largest city in the Charlotte Metropolitan Area...
, North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
13 miles from Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
. The complex features a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) quad oval
Oval track
Oval track racing, also known as oval racing, is a form of closed-circuit automobile racing that is contested on an oval-shaped track. An oval track differs from a road course in that the layout resembles an oval with turns in only one direction, almost universally left...
track that hosts NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
racing including the prestigious Coca-Cola 600
Coca-Cola 600
The Coca-Cola 600, formerly known as the World 600, is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held each year at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend...
on Memorial Day
Memorial Day
Memorial Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the last Monday of May. Formerly known as Decoration Day, it originated after the American Civil War to commemorate the fallen Union soldiers of the Civil War...
weekend and the Sprint All-Star Race. The speedway was built in 1959 by Bruton Smith
Bruton Smith
Ollen Bruton Smith is a promoter and owner/CEO of NASCAR track owner Speedway Motorsports, Inc. He was ranked #207 on the Forbes 400 list with an estimated worth of $1.5 billion in 2005, and fell to #278 in 2006. He is divorced with four children...
and is considered the home track for NASCAR with many race teams located in the Charlotte area. The track is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports (SMI) with Marcus G. Smith
Marcus G. Smith
Marcus G. Smith is president and chief operating officer and director of NASCAR track owner Speedway Motorports, Inc. and general manager of SMI owned Charlotte Motor Speedway. He is the son of SMI CEO Bruton Smith.-Background:...
(son of Bruton Smith) as track president.
The 2000 acres (809.4 ha) complex also features a state-of-the-art 0.25 mile (0.402335 km) drag racing
Drag racing
Drag racing is a competition in which specially prepared automobiles or motorcycles compete two at a time to be the first to cross a set finish line, from a standing start, in a straight line, over a measured distance, most commonly a ¼-mile straight track....
strip, ZMAX Dragway. It is the only all-concrete, four-lane drag strip in the United States and hosts NHRA events. Alongside the drag strip is a state-of-the-art clay oval that hosts dirt racing including the World of Outlaws
World of Outlaws
The World of Outlaws is an American motorsports sanctioning body. The body sanctions two major national touring series. It is best known for sanctioning a national tour of sprint cars. It later purchased a national tour of late model stockcars called the World of Outlaws Late Model Series...
finals.
History
Charlotte Motor Speedway was designed and built by Bruton SmithBruton Smith
Ollen Bruton Smith is a promoter and owner/CEO of NASCAR track owner Speedway Motorsports, Inc. He was ranked #207 on the Forbes 400 list with an estimated worth of $1.5 billion in 2005, and fell to #278 in 2006. He is divorced with four children...
and partner and driver Curtis Turner
Curtis Turner
Curtis Turner was an early NASCAR driver. In addition to his success in racing, he made a fortune, lost it, and remade it buying and selling timberlands. Throughout his life he developed a reputation for drinking and partying...
in 1959. The first World 600 NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
race was held at the 1.5 miles (2.4 km) speedway on June 19, 1960. In 1961, the speedway fell into Chapter 11 reorganization but quickly recovered despite the lagging ticket sales. Smith departed from the speedway in 1962 to pursue other business interests. He became quite successful and began buying shares of stock in the speedway and, by 1975, had become the majority stockholder, regaining control of its day-to-day operations. Smith hired H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler as general manager in 1976 and together the two began to implement plans for improvement and expansion of the speedway.
In the following years, new grandstands and luxury suites were added along with modernized concessions and restrooms to increase the comfort for race fans. Smith Tower, a 135000 square feet (12,541.9 m²), seven-story facility was built and connected to the grandstands in 1988. The tower houses the speedway corporate officers, ticket office, gift shop, leased offices and The Speedway Club; and exclusive dining and entertainment facility. The speedway became the first sports facility in America to offer year round living accommodations when 40 condominiums were built overlooking turn 1 in 1984, twelve additional condominium units were later added in 1991.
In 1992, Smith and Wheeler directed the installation of a $1.7 million, 1,200-fixture permanent lighting system around the track developed by Musco lighting. The track became the first modern superspeedway to host night racing, and was the largest lighted speedway until 1998 when lights were installed around the 2.5 miles (4 km) Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
. In 1994, Smith and Wheeler added a new $1 million, 20000 square feet (1,858.1 m²) garage area to the speedway's infield.
From 1997 to 1999 the track hosted the Indycar Series
IndyCar Series
The IZOD IndyCar Series is the premier level of American open wheel racing. The current championship, founded by Indianapolis Motor Speedway owner Tony George, began in 1996 as a competitor to CART known as the Indy Racing League . Citing CART's increasing reliance on expensive machinery and...
. On lap 61 of the 1999 race, a crash led to a car losing a tire, which was then propelled into the grandstands by another car. Three spectators were killed and eight other were injured in the incident. The race was canceled shortly after, and the series has not returned to the track since. The incident, along with a similar incident in July 1998 in a Champ Car
Champ Car
Champ Car was the name for a class and specification of open wheel cars used in American Championship Car Racing for many decades, primarily for use in the Indianapolis 500 auto race...
race at Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway
Michigan International Speedway is a two-mile moderate-banked D-shaped superspeedway located off U.S. Highway 12 on more than in Brooklyn, in the scenic Irish Hills area of southeastern Michigan. The track is used primarily for NASCAR events. It is sometimes known as a "sister track" to Texas...
, led to new rules requiring cars to have tethers attached to wheel hubs to prevent tires from breaking away in a crash. Also following the crash, the catch fencing at Charlotte and other SMI owned tracks was raised from 15 feet (4.6 m) high with 3 foot (0.9144 m) overhangs to 21 feet (6.4 m) with 6 feet (1.8 m) overhangs to help prevent debris from entering the stands.
In February 1999, Lowe's
Lowe's
Lowe's Companies, Inc. is a U.S.-based chain of retail home improvement and appliance stores. Founded in 1946 in North Wilkesboro, North Carolina, the chain now serves more than 14 million customers a week in its 1,710 stores in the United States and 20 in Canada. Expansion into Canada began in...
bought the naming rights
Naming rights
In the private sector, naming rights are a financial transaction whereby a corporation or other entity purchases the right to name a facility, typically for a defined period of time. For properties like a multi-purpose arena, performing arts venue or an athletic field, the term ranges from three...
to the speedway, making it the first race track in the country with a corporate sponsor. Lowe's chose not to renew its naming rights after the 2009 NASCAR season
2009 in NASCAR
There were three NASCAR national series in 2009:*2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series - The top racing series in NASCAR*2009 NASCAR Nationwide Series - The second-highest racing series in NASCAR...
. The track reverted to its original name, Charlotte Motor Speedway, in 2010
2010 in NASCAR
There were three NASCAR national series in 2010:*2010 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series – The top racing series in NASCAR*2010 NASCAR Nationwide Series – The second-highest racing series in NASCAR...
.
In 2005, the surface of the track had begun to wear since its last repaving in 1994. This resulted in track officials diamond-grinding the track, a process known as levigation, to smooth out bumps that had developed. The grinded surface caused considerable tire-wear problems in both of the NASCAR races that year. Both races saw a high number of accidents as a result of tire failure due to the roughness of the surface. In 2006, the track was completely repaved.
Track president "Humpy" Wheeler retired following the Coca-Cola 600 on May 25, 2008, and was replaced by Marcus Smith. At the end of 2008, the speedway reduced capacity by 25,000 citing reduced ticket sales. At the same time, the front stretch seats were upgraded form 18 inches (45.7 cm) fold down seats to 22 inches (55.9 cm) stadium style seats.
On September 22, 2010, CMS announced a partnership with Panasonic
Panasonic
Panasonic is an international brand name for Japanese electric products manufacturer Panasonic Corporation, which was formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd...
to install the World's largest high definition video board at the track. The video board will measure approximately 200 feet (61 m) wide by 80 feet (24.4 m) tall, containing over 9 million LEDs and will be situated between turn 2 and 3 along the track's backstretch. The installation of the video board is now completed.
Bridge collapse
On May 20, 2000, fans were crossing a pedestrian bridge from the track to a nearby parking lot after a NASCAR all-star race. An 80-foot section of the walkway fell onto a highway in Concord. In total, 107 fans were injured at Lowe's Motor Speedway when the bridge dropped 17 feet to the ground. Nearly 50 lawsuits against the speedway resulted from the incident, with many being settled out of court. Investigators have said the bridge builder, Tindall Corp., used an improper additive to help the concrete filler at the bridge's center dry faster. The additive contained calcium chloride, which corroded the structure's steel cables and led to the collapse. The incident is considered one of the biggest disasters in NASCAR history.Quad oval
The main quad oval is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long with turns banked at 24 degrees and the straightaways banked at 5 degrees. Currently the track hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Nationwide Series and Camping World Truck Series.Contained within the main oval is a 2.25 miles (3.6 km) road course and a 0.6 mile (0.965604 km) Kart course. Between the front stretch is a 0.25 mile (0.402335 km) flat oval designed after Bowman-Gray Stadium. The 1/4 Mile track currently host the NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Whelen Southern Modified Tour
Whelen Southern Modified Tour
The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour is a stock car racing series owned by NASCAR and operated in the Southeastern United States as part of its Modified Division...
, the Summer Shootout Series and other events such as the Legends Millon.
zMAX Dragway
The zMAX Dragway is a state-of-the-art four-lane drag strip, located on 125 acres (50.6 ha) of CMS property across U.S. Highway 29 from the main superspeedway. It was built in 2008 involving a total of 1,876 workers and a combined 636,000 man hours. With 300 workers on site daily working an average 11-hour shift, a 13-month construction project turned into a 6-month one. At one point during construction, concern by nearby residents led Concord city council to rezone land the drag strip was being built on, preventing it from being built. Following the decision Smith threatened to close Charlotte Motor Speedway and build a track elsewhere in Metrolina. When asked if he would go through with the threat Smith replied "I am deadly serious". After a month of negotiations, the issue was settled and, instead of the speedway closing, Smith announced $200 million worth of improvements including road and highway improvements, as well as noise attenuation for the drag strip. The drag strip officially opened on August 20, 2008, and a public open house was held a few days later. The first NHRA event was held September 11–14, 2008.The dragway features the only all-concrete, four-lane drag strip in the United States. The starting line tower is 34000 square feet (3,158.7 m²) and includes 16 luxury suites, race control areas and a press box. Two grandstands, one on their side of the strip, can hold a combined 30,000 spectators. Twenty-four luxury suites with hospitality accommodations are located above the main grandstand. Two tunnels run underneath the strip to enhance fan mobility between the two grandstands.
The Dirt Track
The Dirt Track at Charlotte is a 0.4 mile (0.643736 km) clay oval located across Highway 29 from the quad-oval speedway. The stadium-style facility, built in 2000, has nearly 14,000 seats and plays host to Dirt Late Models, Modifieds, Sprint Cars, Monster Trucks and the prestigious World of OutlawsWorld of Outlaws
The World of Outlaws is an American motorsports sanctioning body. The body sanctions two major national touring series. It is best known for sanctioning a national tour of sprint cars. It later purchased a national tour of late model stockcars called the World of Outlaws Late Model Series...
World Finals.
1/5-mile oval
Located outside of the backstretch of the main speedway near turn three is a small 1/5-mile auxiliary oval occasionally used for Legends races. The auxiliary oval used to have a twin dirt oval that was removed following the construction of the aforementioned Dirt Track.Races
NASCARNASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Sprint Cup Series:
- Sprint All-Star Race, Coca-Cola 600Coca-Cola 600The Coca-Cola 600, formerly known as the World 600, is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held each year at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina on Memorial Day weekend...
, Bank of America 500Bank of America 500The Bank of America 500 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race that is hosted annually at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, United States. The race is usually held in the month of October, as part of the Chase for the Sprint Cup and is 500 miles long...
NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Nationwide Series:
- Top Gear 300, Dollar General 300Dollar General 300The Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage is a NASCAR Nationwide Series stock car race that takes place at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina...
NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Camping World Truck Series:
- North Carolina Education Lottery 200
NASCAR
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
Whelen Southern Modified Tour
Whelen Southern Modified Tour
The NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour is a stock car racing series owned by NASCAR and operated in the Southeastern United States as part of its Modified Division...
- UNOH Southern Slam 150
NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series:
- NHRA Carolina Nationals
ZMax 4 Wide Nationals
INEX raceCeiver Legends Car Series
- Legends Big Money 100Legends MillionThe Legends Big Money 100 is a Legends car race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. In the first year of the Legends Million, 300+ Legends cars and 50 Bandoleros showed up. The 2nd annual Legends Million was announced on June 14, 2011 during the 2nd round of the track's Summer Shootout Series in the...
, Summer Shootout Series, Winter Heat Series
World of Outlaws
World of Outlaws
The World of Outlaws is an American motorsports sanctioning body. The body sanctions two major national touring series. It is best known for sanctioning a national tour of sprint cars. It later purchased a national tour of late model stockcars called the World of Outlaws Late Model Series...
- WoO May Showdown (sprint cars)
- WoO Late Model Showdown (late models)
- World of Outlaws: World Finals (sprint cars, late models, Super DiRT Car Series)
Former races
- NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
K&N Pro Series East (1987) - IROC (1996–1997)
- IZOD IndyCar Series VisionAire 500KVisionAire 500KThe VisionAire 500K was an Indy Racing League race held at Charlotte Motor Speedway from 1997 and 1999. During the 1999 event, three spectators were killed when debris from a crash on the track went into the grandstands...
(1997–1999) - ARCAAutomobile Racing Club of AmericaAutomobile Racing Club of America is an auto racing sanctioning body in the United States, founded in 1953 by John Marcum. The current president of ARCA is Ron Drager. The ARCA RE/MAX Series races stock cars similar to those seen in past years in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, and indeed most cars...
(1996–2004) - American LeMans Series (2000)
- IMSA GT ChampionshipIMSA GT ChampionshipIMSA GT was a sports car racing series organized by International Motor Sports Association. Races took place primarily in the United States and occasionally in Canada.-History:...
(1971, 1974, 1982–1986)
Other events
The facility is considered one of the busiest sports venues in the country, typically with over 380 events a year. Along with many races, the speedway also hosts the Food Lion Auto Fair twice a year, one of the nation's largest car shows. Movies and commercials have been filmed at the speedway, notably Days of ThunderDays of Thunder
Days of Thunder is a 1990 American auto racing film released by Paramount Pictures, produced by Don Simpson and Jerry Bruckheimer and directed by Tony Scott. The cast includes Tom Cruise, Nicole Kidman, Robert Duvall, Randy Quaid, Cary Elwes and Michael Rooker. The film also features appearances...
, and it is a popular tourist stop and car testing grounds. The facility also hosts several driving schools year-round, such as Richard Petty Driving Experience, where visitors have the opportunity to experience the speedway from a unique point-of-view behind the wheel of a race car.http://www.drivepetty.com/race-tracks/charlotte-motor-speedway
The feature of the April 2005 Spring Food Lion Auto Fair at the speedway was a popular sculpture exhibition, Jim Gary
Jim Gary
Jim Gary was an American sculptor popularly known for his large, colorful creations of dinosaurs made from discarded automobile parts...
's Twentieth Century Dinosaurs. It is a menagerie of Garysauruses, all life-sized, and constructed of automobile parts. A special tent housed the heavily attended exhibition and a huge Gary sculpture, over forty feet long, was displayed at the entrance to the raceway during the entire fair. H. A. "Humpy" Wheeler and the speedway then sponsored the funding for the traveling sculpture exhibition to be featured by Belk College of Business
Belk College of Business
The Belk College of Business is the business school at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. The Belk College offers undergraduate, master's and doctoral degrees in a variety of business disciplines.-History:...
on the campus of the University of North Carolina at Charlotte
University of North Carolina at Charlotte
The University of North Carolina at Charlotte , also known as UNC Charlotte or simply Charlotte, is a public research university located in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States...
where a self-guided tour of the campus-wide display was extended to the end of July.
Track records
| Record | Year | Date | Driver | Car make | Time | Speed/Average speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| NASCAR Sprint Cup Series | ||||||
| Qualifying | 2005 2005 in NASCAR The 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series began on Saturday, February 12. The ten race Chase for the Nextel Cup started with the Sylvania 300 on Sunday, September 18, and ended on Sunday, November 20, with the Ford 400.... |
October 13 | Elliott Sadler Elliott Sadler Elliott William Barnes Sadler is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #2 OneMain Financial Chevrolet Impala for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the Nationwide Series. He is one of only 23 drivers to have won in each of NASCAR's top three series... |
Ford | 27.948 | 193.216 miles per hour (86.4 m/s) |
| Race (600 miles) | 1995 1995 in NASCAR The 1995 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on February 12 and concluded November 12. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports won his first career championship.- Overview :... |
May 29 | Bobby Labonte Bobby Labonte Robert Alan "Bobby" Labonte is an American race car driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He currently drives the #47 Kroger/Clorox/Kimberly-Clark/Kingsford/Reese Towpower Hitches Toyota Camry for JTG Daugherty Racing. He currently resides in Trinity, North Carolina. He is married to his wife... |
Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918... |
3:56:55 | 151.952 miles per hour (67.9 m/s) |
| Race (500 miles) | 1999 1999 in NASCAR The 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Season began on Sunday February 7 and ended on Sunday November 21. Robert Yates Racing driver Dale Jarrett was crowned the champion... |
October 10 | Jeff Gordon Jeff Gordon Jeffery Michael "Jeff" Gordon is a professional NASCAR driver. He is the driver of the #24 Drive to End Hunger/DuPont/Pepsi Chevrolet Impala. He is a four-time Sprint Cup Series champion and a three-time Daytona 500 winner. He is third on the all-time wins list, with 85 career wins, and has the... |
Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918... |
3:07:31 | 160.306 miles per hour (71.7 m/s) |
| NASCAR Nationwide Series | ||||||
| Qualifying | 2011 | October 14 | Paul Menard Paul Menard Paul Menard is a NASCAR driver. He currently drives the #27 Menards Chevrolet in the Sprint Cup Series for Richard Childress Racing and runs part-time for Kevin Harvick Inc. in the Nationwide Series. He is the son of Menards founder John Menard, Jr., whose company is his sponsor... |
Chevrolet Chevrolet Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918... |
29.089 | 187.735 miles per hour (83.9 m/s) |
| Race (300 miles) | 1996 | May 25 | Mark Martin Mark Martin Mark Martin may refer to:* Mark Martin , American racecar driver* Mark Martin , American cartoonist* Mark Martin , American judge* Mark Martin , British murderer... |
Ford Ford Motor Company Ford Motor Company is an American multinational automaker based in Dearborn, Michigan, a suburb of Detroit. The automaker was founded by Henry Ford and incorporated on June 16, 1903. In addition to the Ford and Lincoln brands, Ford also owns a small stake in Mazda in Japan and Aston Martin in the UK... |
1:55:23 | 155.996 miles per hour (69.7 m/s) |
| NASCAR Camping World Truck Series | ||||||
| Qualifying | 2005 | May 20 | Mike Skinner Mike Skinner (NASCAR) Mike Skinner is an American driver in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He is the primary driver of the #60 Big Red Soda Toyota Camry for Germain Racing. He is the father of former NASCAR drivers Jamie and Dustin Skinner... |
Toyota | 29.500 | 183.051 miles per hour (81.8 m/s) |
| Race (200 miles) | 2003 | May 16 | Ted Musgrave Ted Musgrave Theodore Musgrave is an American race car driver.-Pre-NASCAR:Musgrave's father, Elmer, was a famous short-track racer in the Midwest who raced for over 25 years at Soldier Field, O'Hare, Waukegan, and Wilmot, Wisconsin before moving into asphalt late models in the American Speed Association and... |
Dodge Dodge Dodge is a United States-based brand of automobiles, minivans, and sport utility vehicles, manufactured and marketed by Chrysler Group LLC in more than 60 different countries and territories worldwide.... |
1:45:05 | 114.768 miles per hour (51.3 m/s) |
| IZOD IndyCar Series | ||||||
| Qualifying | 1998 | July 24 | Tony Stewart Tony Stewart Anthony Wayne "Tony" Stewart is an American auto racing driver and owner. Throughout his racing career, Stewart has won titles in Indy cars and stock cars as well as midget, sprint and USAC Silver Crown cars, giving him the recognition of "one of the finest racers of his generation."Stewart... |
G-Force | 24.490 | 220.498 miles per hour (98.6 m/s) |
| Race (500 miles) | 1997 | July 26 | Buddy Lazier Buddy Lazier Robert Buddy Lazier is an American Indycar driver. He won the 1996 Indianapolis 500 and has finished in the Top Ten in that race six times... |
Dallara Dallara Dallara Automobili is an Italian chassis manufacturer for various motor racing series, being most notable for its near-monopoly in Formula 3 since 1993... |
1:55:29 | 162.096 miles per hour (72.5 m/s) |
| Source: | ||||||
| Record | Year | Date | Driver | Vehicle | Time | Speed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pro Stock Car | 2008 | Sept. 13 | Kurt Johnson Kurt Johnson Kurt Johnson is a professional American drag racing driver. He was born in Virginia, Minnesota, and currently resides in Buford, Georgia. He competes in the NHRA’s POWERade Drag Racing series, driving a Chevrolet Cobalt in the Pro Stock category... |
Cobalt Chevrolet Cobalt The Chevrolet Cobalt is a compact car introduced by Chevrolet in 2004 for the 2005 model year. The Cobalt replaced both the Cavalier and the Prizm as Chevrolet's compact car.... |
6.680 | 206.95 miles per hour (92.5 m/s) |
| Pro Stock Motorcycle | 2008 | Sept. 13 | Matt Smith | Buell Buell Motorcycle Company The Buell Motorcycle Company was an American motorcycle manufacturer based in East Troy, Wisconsin and founded in 1983 by ex-Harley-Davidson engineer Erik Buell.Harley-Davidson acquired 49% of Buell in 1993, and it became a wholly owned subsidiary by 2003.... |
6.952 | 192.08 miles per hour (85.9 m/s) |
NOTE: NHRA does not keep records for Top Fuel or Funny Car because of the 1,000 foot distance used in those two classes when the track opened.
External links
- Official site
- Charlotte Motor Speedway Page on NASCAR.com
- Trackpedia guide to driving this track
- GNEXTINC.com: Charlotte Motor Speedway Page – Local area information, track specs, mapping, news and more.
- Jayski's Charlotte Motor Speedway Page – Current and past Charlotte Motor Speedway Speedway news
- NASCAR Race Review: Fifth race in the Chase: Charlotte on NASCAR-EUROPE
- Richard Petty Driving Experience at Charlotte Motor Speedway