Charlotte Motor Speedway facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Charlotte Motor Speedway

America's Home for Racing
Quad Oval (1960–present)
NASCAR Road Course "Roval" (2024–present)
Location	5555 Concord Parkway South Concord, North Carolina 28027
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (UTC−04:00 DST)
Coordinates	35°21′09″N 80°40′57″W / 35.35250°N 80.68250°W / 35.35250; -80.68250
Capacity	95,000
Owner	Speedway Motorsports (1974, 1976–present)
Broke ground	28 July 1959; 66 years ago (1959-07-28)
Opened	15 June 1960; 65 years ago (1960-06-15)
Construction cost	US$2 million
Former names	Lowe's Motor Speedway (1999–2009)
Major events	Current: NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 (1960–present) Bank of America Roval 400 (2018–present) Alsco Uniforms 500 (1960–2017, 2020) NASCAR All-Star Race (1985, 1987–2019) NASCAR Xfinity Series BetMGM 300 (1978–present) Drive for the Cure 250 (1973–present) NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 (2003–present) NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Roval Race (2025) IMSA Ford Mustang Challenge (2025) Former: IMSA SportsCar Championship Grand Prix of Charlotte (1971, 1974, 1982–1986, 2000, 2020) Pirelli World Challenge (2000, 2007) Indy Racing League VisionAire 500K (1997–1999) Trans-Am Series (1981, 2000, 2022) Can-Am (1978–1979)
Quad Oval (1960–present)
Surface	Asphalt
Length	1.500 mi (2.414 km)
Turns	4
Banking	Turns: 24° Straights: 5°
Race lap record	0:24.735 ( Kenny Bräck, Dallara IR-7, 1998, IndyCar)
NASCAR Road Course "Roval" (2024–present)
Surface	Asphalt
Length	2.320 mi (3.734 km)
Turns	17
Banking	Oval turns: 24° Oval straights: 5°
Race lap record	1:24.163 ( Austin Dillon, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, 2024, NASCAR Cup)
NASCAR Road Course "Roval" (2019–2023)
Surface	Asphalt
Length	2.280 mi (3.669 km)
Turns	17
Banking	Oval turns: 24° Oval straights: 5°
Race lap record	1:18.188 ( Paul Menard, Chevrolet Camaro Trans-Am, 2022, TA1)
NASCAR Road Course "Roval" (2018)
Surface	Asphalt
Length	2.280 mi (3.669 km)
Turns	17
Banking	Oval turns: 24° Oval straights: 5°
Race lap record	1:18.078 ( Kyle Larson, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, 2018, NASCAR Cup)
Roval (1971–2014)
Surface	Asphalt
Length	2.250 mi (3.621 km)
Turns	18
Banking	Oval turns: 24° Oval straights: 5°
Race lap record	1:05.524 ( Jan Magnussen, Panoz LMP-1 Roadster-S, 2000, LMP900)

Charlotte Motor Speedway is a famous race track in Concord, North Carolina. It's sometimes called "America's Home for Racing." From 1999 to 2009, it was known as Lowe's Motor Speedway because of a sponsorship deal. This track is a 1.500 mi (2.414 km) "quad-oval" shape, which means it's an oval with four distinct turns.

Since it opened in 1960, Charlotte Motor Speedway has hosted many big races. These include exciting events from NASCAR, IndyCar, and IMSA SportsCar Championship. The company Speedway Motorsports owns the facility.

The speedway can hold about 95,000 fans. It has cool features like a special club and even condos that overlook the track! There's also a tall tower used for offices and selling souvenirs. Besides the main track, the complex has other smaller tracks. These include a 0.200 mi (0.322 km) clay track, a 0.400 mi (0.644 km) dirt track, and a 0.250 mi (0.402 km) drag strip called ZMax Dragway. The main track also has an infield road course that combines with the oval to create a "roval" for different types of races.

The idea for Charlotte Motor Speedway came from racing promoter Bruton Smith and driver Curtis Turner. They wanted to build a super modern race track in the 1950s. After some challenges, they teamed up to make it happen. The track was built very quickly, in less than a year! It faced money problems early on, but eventually, Bruton Smith and his company, SMI, took full control in 1976. Since then, they have made it one of the biggest sports places in the United States.

About Charlotte Motor Speedway

Track Layouts and Designs

The main track at Charlotte Motor Speedway is 1.5 miles (2.4 km) long. The turns are steeply angled at 24 degrees, which helps cars go faster. The straight parts of the track are angled at 5 degrees. Inside the main track, there's a smaller 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) oval built in 1991. This smaller track is mostly used for legends car racing, which features smaller, classic-looking race cars.

The speedway also has several tracks inside its main oval. In 1970, plans were made for a road course that connected to the main track. This idea was actually part of the original plans but was cut to save money. The road course has changed its length over the years. In 2018, it was updated for NASCAR races, adding a special curve called a chicane. More changes were made in 2019 and 2024 to improve the road course. There's even a special go-kart track built in 2020!

Cool Features and Facilities

Charlotte Motor Speedway is located in Concord, North Carolina, right next to U.S. Route 29. When it was first built, the complex covered 551 acres (223 ha) and could hold about 30,000 people. Over many years, the speedway has grown a lot. It once held over 170,000 fans in the 1980s! However, some seating areas were removed in the 2010s. As of 2021, the track can seat 95,000 people. The entire complex now covers about 2,000 acres (810 ha).

Many buildings are part of the complex. In 1983, to celebrate the track's 25th birthday, 36 condominiums were built. These condos offer amazing views of the first turn of the track. By 1984, there were 40 condos, and they all sold out quickly! A special private club and restaurant called The Speedway Club opened in 1987.

Other Tracks at the Speedway

The Charlotte Motor Speedway complex has two other race tracks and a drag strip. In 1993, a 0.200 mi (0.322 km) clay track was built for dirt legends car races. In 1999, a new 0.400 mi (0.644 km) dirt track was planned and opened in 2000. This track has lights for night races and can hold 15,000 fans.

In 2007, Bruton Smith, the owner of Speedway Motorsports, wanted to build a drag strip. This idea faced some disagreements from local leaders. But the drag strip was eventually built and cost $60 million. It held its first races in September 2008.

History of the Track

Building a Dream Race Track

Timber businessman and driver Curtis Turner (pictured in 1949) partnered with Motorsports businessman Bruton Smith to build the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Stock car racing became very popular in the southern United States in the 1940s and 1950s. This led to new, modern race tracks being built. In the late 1950s, race promoter Bruton Smith wanted to build his own top-notch track. At the same time, driver Curtis Turner had a similar idea.

After some talks, Smith and Turner decided to work together. They needed to sell shares to get enough money to build the track. Smith helped sell many shares, and the project moved forward.

Construction started on July 28, 1959. It was a tough job! Workers found huge rocks that needed dynamite to remove. There were also lots of aggressive hornets, and several snowstorms caused delays. The track's first big race, the 1960 World 600, had to be moved from May to June. Despite all these problems, the track was finished just in time for the race. It cost about $2 million to build.

Early Challenges and Money Troubles

When Charlotte Motor Speedway officially opened for practice on June 15, 1960, there were immediate problems. The track's asphalt surface started to develop holes as cars raced at high speeds. Workers had to quickly repave parts of the track.

Money problems also started right away. The track faced lawsuits and owed a lot of money to different companies. By November 1960, the speedway had about $1 million in debt. In 1961, more lawsuits were filed. Eventually, the track went into a special legal process called bankruptcy. This meant a court took over to help manage its money and save it from closing.

The Court Steps In

For over a year, district judge James Braxton Craven Jr. (pictured above) oversaw CMS' financial restructuring.

After the court took over, Judge James Braxton Craven Jr. appointed a lawyer, Robert Nelson Robinson, to run the track. They worked to find loans and create a plan to pay off the debts. A group of shareholders helped by buying special certificates to raise money. By April 1963, the plan was working, and the track had paid off over $740,000 in debt. The court then approved private ownership again. Around this time, Bruton Smith left his role due to some legal issues with taxes.

A Time of Stability with Richard Howard

In December 1963, the track announced its first profit! Richard Howard, a major shareholder, took over as the new leader. Under his guidance, Charlotte Motor Speedway became financially stable. It even paid off its main loan three years early. Howard was careful with money but also invested in making the track better and adding more seats. By 1972, the speedway was making more profit every year.

Bruton Smith and Humpy Wheeler Take Over

In the mid-1970s, Bruton Smith saw a chance to buy back the speedway. He had become very successful in the car business. By 1974, Smith was elected chairman of the track's board, putting him back in charge. Richard Howard became the president.

Humpy Wheeler (pictured in 2010) partnered with Bruton Smith to takeover control of Charlotte Motor Speedway from Richard Howard.

In 1975, Smith hired Humpy Wheeler, a talented public relations expert. This move hinted that Smith was planning to take full control. In January 1976, Richard Howard officially resigned, and Bruton Smith gained full ownership. Humpy Wheeler then became the track's president.

The Humpy Wheeler Era: Growth and Fun

Under Wheeler and Smith, Charlotte Motor Speedway grew a lot. Wheeler was famous for his creative and exciting promotions. For example, in 1976, he encouraged female driver Janet Guthrie to race. In 1977, he created a funny stunt with a shark and a chicken to highlight a rivalry between drivers.

By 1980, plans were made to increase the track's seating to 150,000. In 1983, they announced the building of 36 condos overlooking the track, which later grew to 40 and sold out quickly.

In 1985, Bruton Smith even proposed building a huge football stadium at the track. He hoped to attract a professional football team to Charlotte. However, the city didn't provide the money, so the plans were dropped.

Big Upgrades and Safety Concerns

Night racing at the 2008 Bank of America 500; in 1992, the track installed lights to accommodate night racing, the first track of its size to do so.

In 1987, The Speedway Club, a special members-only restaurant, was built. By the end of the 1980s, the track could hold over 170,000 fans. In 1991, Smith added lights to the track, making it the first large oval track to host night races. This was a huge deal! In 1999, the track made history again by selling its naming rights to Lowe's, becoming Lowe's Motor Speedway.

However, the 1990s and early 2000s also saw some serious accidents. In 1999, during an Indy Racing League race, a crash sent debris into the stands. This sadly resulted in the death of three fans and injured others, leading to the race being canceled. A year later, a pedestrian bridge collapsed after a race, injuring many people.

The Charlotte Motor Speedway drag strip pictured in 2008. The drag strip was built after a tumultuous and controversial approval process.

In 2005, the track was repaved to fix bumps, but it caused new problems. So, it was repaved again in 2006. In 2007, Bruton Smith announced plans for the drag strip. After some initial disagreements with the city, the drag strip was approved and built. Smith promised the track would "be here forever."

After Humpy Wheeler

Bruton Smith and Humpy Wheeler had some disagreements over the years. In 2008, Wheeler announced his retirement after many years as president. Smith's son, Marcus, took over. In 2009, Lowe's ended its sponsorship, and the track went back to its original name, Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Changes and Renovations

NASCAR racing at the track's roval course; in 2018, NASCAR changed their fall race weekend to race on the track's roval.

In the 2010s, fewer people were attending NASCAR races, and Charlotte Motor Speedway saw a drop in attendance. To adapt, the track removed many seats in 2014 and 2017. In 2018, Marcus Smith became the CEO of SMI, and Greg Walter took over as general manager. Walter wanted to use the speedway for more than just racing.

The track has continued to get updates. In 2011, a giant video screen was installed on the backstretch. In 2015, safety barriers were improved. In 2023, plans were announced for a special road course called the Ten Tenths Motor Club, which opened in October 2024.

Exciting Events at the Speedway

Racing Competitions

NASCAR Races

The 2024 Coca-Cola 600. The Coca-Cola 600 has been held annually at the facility since 1960.

Charlotte Motor Speedway hosts two big NASCAR weekends each year. One is the Coca-Cola 600, which started in 1960. It's one of the longest and most important races in NASCAR, considered a "Crown Jewel" event.

The other major race is the Bank of America Roval 400. This race used to be held on the oval track but moved to the special "Roval" course in 2018. Besides these main races, the speedway also hosts races for the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series on both the oval and roval.

From 1987 to 2020, Charlotte Motor Speedway also hosted the NASCAR All-Star Race. This is a special event where only race winners from the previous season compete.

Other Motorsports Events

The track has also hosted other types of racing. In the past, IndyCar races were held here, but they stopped after a serious accident in 1999. The Grand Prix of Charlotte, a sports car event, has also been held many times over the years. The IMSA SportsCar Championship last ran this race in 2020.

Fun Beyond Racing

Festivals and Shows

Charlotte Motor Speedway isn't just for racing! On August 10, 1974, it hosted a huge music festival called the August Jam. Over 200,000 people attended, making it the largest music festival in North Carolina's history.

From 2013 to 2018, the speedway hosted the Carolina Rebellion festival. Since 2021, it has also been a location for the touring Breakaway Festival, and in 2024, it hosted a special electronic dance music (EDM) show.

Every year, the speedway puts on a Christmas-themed drive-thru lights show, which started in 2010. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the track even hosted high school graduations for local schools.

Lap Records

As of October 2024, here are some of the fastest official race lap records at Charlotte Motor Speedway:

See also

In Spanish: Charlotte Motor Speedway para niños