How long is Charlotte Motor Speedway? For more than 60 years, Charlotte Motor Speedway has set the standard for motorsports entertainment and evolved into “America’s Home for Racing.”
Nestled in the heart of NASCAR country, the iconic superspeedway is the only race vacation destination where fans can immerse themselves in the sport by taking in an event at the legendary facility, visit race team shops and explore the NASCAR Hall of Fame in the same weekend.
Generating a regional economic impact of approximately $450 million annually, the speedway hosts two premier NASCAR events each year – the Coca-Cola 600 and the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400 – as well as more than three dozen other events for automotive and motorsports enthusiasts of all ages.
Charlotte Motor Speedway’s philosophy is to put “Fans First” and create memories that last a lifetime for all who pass through the gates.
How Long is Charlotte Motor Speedway?
The Charlotte Motor Speedway complex encompasses nearly 2,000 acres and includes a 2.25-mile road course, a six-tenths-mile karting layout and a quarter-mile oval within the walls of the 1.5-mile superspeedway. A one-fifth-mile oval is located just outside Turn 3.
In 2018, Charlotte Motor Speedway changed the course of NASCAR history with the innovative ROVAL™, a 2.28-mile, 17-turn course that combined the high-banks of the traditional oval with a newly designed infield road course.
Charlotte Motor Speedway History
Charlotte Motor Speedway was designed and built in 1959 by Chairman Emeritus and NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee O. Bruton Smith. The late Curtis Turner, one of stock car racing’s earliest stars and another Hall of Fame inductee, served as Smith’s primary business partner.
Smith, a native of Oakboro, N.C., was an automobile dealer and short-track stock car racing promoter at Concord Motor Speedway and the Charlotte Fairgrounds. Turner, a Virginian who amassed his money in the lumber industry, became one of the first drivers on the NASCAR circuit after the sanctioning body debuted in 1949.
Together, they built their dream of a 1.5-mile superspeedway on the outskirts of the Queen City and, on June 19, 1960, the first World 600 was contested at the new facility.
In 1961, like many superspeedways of the era, the track fell into Chapter 11 reorganization from which it eventually emerged despite lagging ticket sales. After his departure from the speedway in 1962, Smith pursued other business interests in Texas and Illinois.
Working within Ford Motor Company’s dealership program, Smith became quite successful and began purchasing shares of stock in Charlotte Motor Speedway. By 1975 Smith had again become the majority stockholder in the speedway, regaining control of its day-to-day operations.
He hired H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler as general manager and the two began to implement plans for needed improvements and expansion.
During the ensuing years, Smith and Wheeler demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction, building a facility that continuously established new industry standards. Thousands of grandstand seats and luxury suites were built. Food concessions and restroom facilities were added and modernized to increase the comfort of race fans.
Smith Tower, a 135,000-square-foot, seven-story facility connected to the speedway’s grandstands, was erected and opened in 1988. The building houses the speedway’s corporate offices, ticket office, souvenir gift shop, leased office space and The Speedway Club, an exclusive dining and entertainment facility.
In 1984, under the direction of Smith, Charlotte Motor Speedway became the only sports facility in America to offer year-round living accommodations when it built 40 condominiums high above turn one. Twelve additional condominium units were added in 1991.
Another innovation was a $1.7 million, 1,200-fixture permanent lighting system developed by MUSCO Lighting of Oskaloosa, Iowa. The revolutionary lighting process uses mirrors to simulate daylight without glare, shadows or obtrusive light poles.
The lighting system was installed in 1992, allowing Charlotte Motor Speedway to be the first modern superspeedway to host night auto racing.
Ever cognizant of the competitors as well as the spectators, the speedway added a new $1 million, 20,000-square-foot NASCAR Cup Series garage area in 1994.
Other additions and improvements include the development of the speedway’s 2,000-plus acres. In addition to the speedway, the property, some of which is leased, includes an industrial park that serves as home to several motorsports-related businesses, a modern landfill facility operated by BFI and a natural wildlife habitat.
In addition to the 1.5-mile quad oval, the Charlotte Motor Speedway complex includes a 2.25-mile road course and a six-tenths-mile karting layout in the speedway’s infield; a quarter-mile asphalt oval utilizing part of the speedway’s frontstretch and pit road; and a one-fifth-mile oval located outside Turn 3 of the superspeedway.
What is The Configuration of Charlotte Motor Speedway?
The track is a 1.5 mile traditional tri oval racetrack with 20-degree banking in the turns and 24 degree banking on the final 2 turns, 3 and 4. The Track is considered a tough track for both drivers and their cars due to its high speeds.
They also have a 2.28 Mile long Road course (roval) that includes most of the Oval track, a Drag way at a quarter of a mile and a clay dirt track at .4 of a mile.
How Much do NASCAR tickets cost at the Charlotte Motor Speedway?
The ticket price range for Charlotte Motor Speedway usually start at $50 -$100for general admission depending where the seat is located, There are also track pre race passes for the concerts, access to driver introductions and parties. these can be had for 75 Dolalrs. You can pay more for suites and weekend passes of course.
Is There an Age Limit For Entering the Charlotte Motor Speedway?
There is no age limit for entering the Charlotte Motor Speedway. However, children under the age of 12 the cup series races cost just 10 dollars ( call in advance though) and children under 12 can go to NASCAR Xfinity / Truck races as well for free! To buy alcohol you will need to have ID and be over 21.
For the World of outlaws there needs to be waiver form signed ( for info) for children under 18 For pit pass access that its.
We suggest ear protection for little ears though.
FAQs
Where is Charlotte Motor Speedway?
The track is located just about 15 km North East of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Who owns Charlotte Motor Speedway?
The speedway is owned and operated by Speedway Motorsports. They also own and operate many other Iconic NASCAR tracks including Nashville, Sonoma, Texas and Las vegas motor Speedway.
What are the lap records at Charlotte Motor Speedway?
Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of the first NASCAR track, and has 24 24 degrees of banking allows for fast speeds. The New Generations of NASCAR still may not be able to make a dent in the Qualifying Cup Series record which has been held by Kurt Busch since 2014 with an average of 198.771 miles an hour!
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