Charlotte Motor Speedway facts for kids
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| Location | 5555 Concord Parkway South Concord, North Carolina, 28027 |
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| Capacity | 134,000 |
| Owner | Speedway Motorsports, Inc. |
| Operator | Speedway Motorsports, Inc. |
| Broke ground | 1959 |
| Opened | 1960 |
| Construction cost | $1.25 million |
| Architect | Bruton Smith and Curtis Turner |
| Former names | Charlotte Motor Speedway (1960–1998, 2010–present) Lowe's Motor Speedway (1998–2009) |
| Major events | NASCAR Sprint Cup Series NASCAR Xfinity Series |
| Quad oval | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 1.5 mi (2.4 km) |
| Turns | 4 |
| Banking | Turns: 24° Straights: 5° |
| Race lap record | 0:24.490 (Tony Stewart, Team Menard, 1998, IndyCar Series) |
| ZMAX Dragway | |
| Surface | Asphalt |
| Length | 0.25 mi (0.4 km) |
| Banking | 8000$ |
| The Dirt Track | |
| Surface | Clay |
| Length | 0.4 mi (0.64 km) |
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a huge place for car racing in Concord, North Carolina, United States. It is about 13 miles (21 km) from Charlotte, North Carolina. This complex has a 1.5-mile (2.4 km) oval track shaped like a quad (four turns). It is famous for hosting exciting NASCAR races.
The speedway is well-known for big events like the Coca-Cola 600 race. This race happens every year on Memorial Day weekend. Other important races, like the All-Star Race and the Bank of America Roval 400, are also held here. Many NASCAR racing teams are based near Charlotte. This makes Charlotte Motor Speedway feel like NASCAR's home track.
The track was built in 1959 by Bruton Smith. Today, it is owned and run by Speedway Motorsports Inc. (SMI). Bruton Smith's son, Marcus G. Smith, is the current president of the track.
Contents
What is Charlotte Motor Speedway?
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a large area built for different kinds of car racing. It covers about 2,000 acres (809 hectares). The main track is an asphalt oval. It has four turns and two long straight sections. The turns are banked at 24 degrees, which means they are tilted. This banking helps cars go fast around the corners.
Different Tracks at the Speedway
Besides the main oval, Charlotte Motor Speedway has other cool tracks.
ZMAX Dragway
The complex features a special quarter-mile (0.40 km) drag racing strip called ZMAX Dragway. This track is unique because it is made entirely of concrete. It is also the only four-lane drag strip in the United States. ZMAX Dragway hosts major events for the NHRA. Drag racing is a sport where two cars race side-by-side over a short, straight distance.
The Dirt Track
Next to the drag strip, there is a modern oval track made of clay. This track is used for dirt racing. It hosts big events like the World of Outlaws finals. Dirt racing is different from asphalt racing. Cars slide more on the clay surface, which makes for exciting races.
Major Races and Events
Charlotte Motor Speedway is home to several famous racing events each year.
NASCAR Races
- Coca-Cola 600: This is one of the longest and most challenging NASCAR races. It takes place on Memorial Day weekend.
- All-Star Race: This is a special non-championship race. Only top NASCAR drivers compete for a big prize.
- Bank of America Roval 400: This race uses a unique "roval" course. It combines parts of the oval track with an infield road course.
Other Racing Series
The speedway also hosts races for other series. These include the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. These series are important steps for drivers hoping to reach the top NASCAR level.
Images for kids
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Night racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway
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Charlotte Motor Speedway's high definition video screen in 2013.
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Daniel Suárez testing the "Roval" course in July 2018.
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zMAX Dragway
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The 2018 Bank of America Roval 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the first race held on the road course configuration.
See also
In Spanish: Charlotte Motor Speedway para niños
