Charlotte Motor Speedway

The heart of NASCAR in the Carolinas.

It has hosted various major races since its inaugural season of racing in 1960, including NASCAR, IndyCar, and IMSA SportsCar Championship races. The facility is owned by Speedway Motorsports, LLC (SMI) and led by track general manager Greg Walter.

Lore & Background

With the rise of popularity in stock car racing in the American Southeast that began in the late 1940s and stretched into the 1950s, racing promoter Bruton Smith sought to build a state-of-the-art facility. At the same time, driver and businessman Curtis Turner sought to do the same. After initially refusing, Turner eventually partnered with Smith after they agreed to sell shares needed for the track's construction. Charlotte Motor Speedway was constructed in less than 11 months.

The facility immediately faced a litany of issues, particularly financial woes. Within the facility's first decade of existence, ownership changed hands numerous times, with Smith and Turner both leaving. After a period of stability under the ownership of Richard Howard from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, Smith and his new partner, racing promoter and eventual longtime track general manager Humpy Wheeler, completed a takeover of Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1976.

Since then, the Smith family and their company, SMI, have directed the facility's expansion and growth into one of the largest sports facilities in the United States.

Reader's Guide

The speedway has a capacity of 95,000 as of 2021. The track features numerous amenities, including a Speedway Club, condos, and a seven-story tower located on the complex for office space and souvenirs. In addition, the Charlotte Motor Speedway complex features numerous adjacent tracks, including a 0.200 mi clay short track, a 0.400 mi dirt track, and a 0.250 mi long drag strip as ZMax Dragway. The main track also features an infield road course that is used with the oval to make a 'roval'.

Did You Know?

The main track is 1.5 miles with 24 degrees of banking in the turns and five degrees on the frontstretch and backstretch.
The infield road course held its first races on May 22, 1971, as part of the 1971 World 600 race weekend.
The complex has expanded from 551 acres at construction to around 2,000 acres.
A purpose-built go-kart track was constructed in the infield in 2020.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Charlotte Motor Speedway located?

The facility sits in Concord, North Carolina, serving as a major hub for professional motorsports in the region. It acts as a primary venue for various NASCAR series throughout the racing calendar.

What Truck Series races are held at Charlotte Motor Speedway?

Fans can attend the annual spring event known as the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 on the oval track. The speedway also hosts fall events, including the Ecosave 200, which has seen recent format adjustments.

When did NASCAR Truck Series racing begin at this track?

Pickup truck racing officially started at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2003, marking the beginning of its long-standing relationship with the Craftsman Truck Series. Since then, it has consistently hosted spring races alongside other major series events.

How does the race schedule differ between spring and fall?

The spring event traditionally runs on the oval as a companion to the NASCAR All-Star Race held in mid-May. In contrast, the fall race configuration has evolved over time, with significant location and format changes announced for future seasons.