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Charlotte Motor Speedway

January 01, 1970

Charlotte Motor Speedway (formerly known as Lowe's Motor Speedway from 1999 to 2009 due to sponsorship reasons) is a 1.500-mile (2.414 km) quad-oval intermediate speedway in Concord, North Carolina. It has hosted various major races since its inaugural season of racing in 1960, including NASCAR, IndyCar, and IMSA SportsCar Championship races. The track is currently owned by Speedway Motorsports, LLC (SMI), with Greg Walter serving as the track's general manager. Charlotte Motor Speedway is served by U.S. Route 29.

Charlotte Motor Speedway
America's Home for Racing

Quad-oval (1960–present)
Location5555 Concord Parkway South, Concord, North Carolina, 28027
Time zoneUTC−5 (UTC−4 DST)
Coordinates35°21′09″N 80°40′57″W / 35.35250°N 80.68250°W / 35.35250; -80.68250
OwnerSpeedway Motorsports (1974, 1976–present)
Broke ground28 July 1959; 64 years ago (1959-07-28)
Opened15 June 1960; 63 years ago (1960-06-15)
Construction cost$2 million USD
Former namesLowe's Motor Speedway (1999–2009)
Major eventsCurrent:
NASCAR Cup Series
Coca-Cola 600 (1960–present)
Bank of America Roval 400 (1960–present)
NASCAR All-Star Race (1985, 1987–2019)
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)
Can-Am (1978–1979)
Websitecharlottemotorspeedway.com
Quad Oval (1960–present)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length1.500 miles (2.414 km)
Turns4
BankingTurns: 24°
Straights: 5°
Race lap record0:24.735 ( Kenny Bräck, Dallara IR-7, 1998, IndyCar)
NASCAR Road Course "Roval" (2019–present)[a]
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.280 miles (3.669 km)
Turns17
BankingOval turns: 24°
Oval straights: 5°
Race lap record1:18.188 ( Paul Menard, Chevrolet Camaro Trans-Am, 2022, Trans-Am)
NASCAR Road Course "Roval" (2018)[a]
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.280 miles (3.669 km)
Turns17
BankingOval turns: 24°
Oval straights: 5°
Race lap record1:18.078 ( Kyle Larson, Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, 2018, NASCAR Cup)
Roval (1971–2014)
SurfaceAsphalt
Length2.250 miles (3.621 km)
Turns18
BankingOval turns: 24°
Oval straights: 5°
Race lap record1:05.524 ( Jan Magnussen, Panoz LMP-1 Roadster-S, 2000, LMP900)

The speedway has a capacity of 95,000 as of 2021, down from its peak of over 170,000 in the 1990s and 2000s. 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 1⁄5 mile (0.32 km) clay short track, a 2⁄5 mile (0.64 km) dirt track, and a 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) long drag strip. The main track also features an infield road course that is used with the oval to make a "roval".

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 Smith agreed to sell shares needed for the track's construction. Construction of the track was completed in less than 11 months. The track immediately faced a litany of issues, particularly financial woes. Within the track'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 the track in 1976. Since then, the Smith family and their company, SMI, have directed the track's expansion and growth into becoming one of the largest sports facilities in the United States.

Description edit

Configurations edit

The speedway in its current form is measured at 1.5 miles (2.4 km), with 24 degrees of banking in the turns and five degrees of banking on the track's frontstretch and backstretch.[1] Within the main track's frontstretch, there is a 1⁄4 mile (0.40 km) oval that was built in 1991 that is primarily used for legends car racing.[2]

Numerous tracks exist in the track's infield. In 1970, the track announced plans for an infield road course that was connected to the speedway's backstretch. According to then-general manager Richard Howard, original plans for the speedway included a road course, but was cut due to budget issues.[3] The original road course's length has varied in reports; the track has been reported to be as short as 1.75 miles (2.82 km) according to the Salisbury Post,[4] and as long 1.9 miles (3.1 km) long according to The Charlotte Observer. The road course held its first races on May 22, 1971 as part of the 1971 World 600 race weekend.[5] By August 1974, the track was reconfigured to become 2.25 miles (3.62 km).[6] In 2018, the road course was modified to suit NASCAR racing, adding a backstretch chicane.[7] In 2019, the speedway's chicane was modified.[8] In 2020, the track constructed a purpose-built go-kart track in the track's infield.[9]

Amenities edit

The track is located directly next to U.S. Route 29.[10][11] At the time of the track's initial construction, the complex covered 551 acres and had a capacity of around 30,000.[12] Over the span of several decades, the track and its complex has expanded and been improved numerous times. Throughout the ownership of Bruton Smith, the track saw capacity grow, seeing a peak of over 170,000 by the end of the 1980s.[13] However, since the 2000s, capacity has seen a decrease, with multiple grandstands being demolished in the 2010s.[14][15] As of 2021, the track is reported to have a capacity of 95,000.[16] The complex has also expanded to around 2,000 acres as of 2020.[17]

Numerous buildings are located on the complex for various uses. In 1983, to celebrate the track's 25th anniversary, the track announced the construction of 36 condominiums that were built to overlook the track's first turn.[18] By the time the project was completed in mid-1984, the amount of condos increased to 40, and all were sold out by the end of 1983.[19][20] At the end of 1984, the track announced the construction of a mall underneath the condos.[21] In 1987, the track announced the construction of a members-only private club and restaurant named The Speedway Club, with annual membership starting at $6,500 (adjusted for inflation, $17,432).[22]

Adjacent tracks edit

The Charlotte Motor Speedway complex has two adjacent tracks and a dragstrip near the main speedway. By 1993, the track built a 1⁄5 mile (0.32 km) clay short track that was made to conduct dirt legends car races.[23] On August 10, 1999, then-general manager Humpy Wheeler announced the construction of a new 3⁄8 mile (0.60 km) dirt track that was to be constructed across the main speedway.[24] By January 2000, however, the track length changed to become a 2⁄5 mile (0.64 km) track.[25] The track held its first races on May 28, 2000, with the track featuring a lighting system and a capacity of 15,000.[26][25]

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

In August 2007, owner of Speedway Motorsports, Bruton Smith, announced plans to build a drag strip on the complex.[27] Although the plan faced heavy opposition initially from local politicians,[28] the drag strip was eventually built after Smith threatened to close down the speedway due to opposition,[29] coercing the city to give him an incentive package of approximately $80 million using fears that shutting down the speedway would cripple the Concord economy.[30][31] The drag strip, which cost $60 million to build,[32] held its first races in September 2008.[33]

History edit

Planning and construction edit

See also: Bruton Smith and Curtis Turner

Stock car racing, with its origins tracing back to moonshiners during the Prohibition era, oversaw a rise of popularity within the American Southeast throughout the 1940s and 1950s. With this rise, new modern tracks, such as Darlington Raceway, were built across the Southeast.[34] In the late 1950s, Bruton Smith, a promoter who had found major success promoting races across the Carolinas, sought to build his own racetrack. In 1956, he partnered with businessman John William Propst Jr. to build a racetrack. At the same time, driver and successful timber businessman, Curtis Turner, sought to do the same, collaborating with local track officials.[34][35] In 1958, Propst suffered a heart attack, backing out of the partnership due to health issues. Due to this, Smith sought to partner with Turner. After a few weeks of initial success, in a meeting at the Barringer Hotel, Turner declined to partner with Smith. For numerous reasons, including the feeling of betrayal, the fact that Turner did not have enough funds to start his own track, and knowing that the city of Charlotte could only support one track, Smith announced his intentions of building his own speedway to rival Turner's on April 22, 1959, the same day Turner announced his track.[34][35] On May 8, Turner announced the track would be built bordering U.S. Route 29, inside of Cabarrus County, North Carolina, with a capacity of 30,000.[12] However, Turner struggled to sell the 300,000 shares needed. Turner eventually agreed to partner with Smith, with Smith becoming the vice president of the track and selling 100,000 shares.[36][35] Additional stocks to be sold were added in December 1959[37] and April 1960.[38]

Groundbreaking on the track commenced on July 28, 1959. It was meant to start two months earlier, but was delayed due to legal issues.[39] The track was immediately plagued with numerous construction issues. The construction crew who worked on the track discovered large veins of granite underneath the track's soil shortly after groundbreaking. To get rid of it, grading contractor W. Owen Flowe decided to blast it with dynamite, causing delays.[34] Reports of feral hornets were also made, leading to multiple workers quitting.[40] In March 1960, three snowstorms delayed construction even further;[34] although, the track's publicity director insisted that the track's construction was "still ahead of schedule".[41] By the end of March, developers considered scrapping plans for grandstands to save time.[42] The issues caused the track's first major race, the NASCAR-sanctioned 1960 World 600, to be delayed from its original date on May 29 to June 19.[43] Longtime NASCAR mechanic Smokey Yunick called the construction location "a giant mistake. If they'd have searched North Carolina for the worst possible place to build a racetrack, that's where they built it."[34] Smith blames Turner for the delays; according to Smith, Turner would commonly hire people irrationally while under the influence of alcohol, with Smith having to turn them away.[34] Despite these issues, the project saw additional funding and a $300,000 loan from Washington D.C. businessman James L. McIlvaine, who was so confident that the project would succeed that he stated in The Charlotte Observer, "This is going to be one of the best investments I've ever made, and I've made some good ones."[44]

Nearing the end of the track's construction, a mutiny formed between Flowe and his workers, citing unpaid fees and bounced checks. On June 9, days before the World 600, Flowe parked several earthmovers on the track and stopped construction, with Flowe threatening to sue.[45] Disputing accounts exist of what happened to suppress it; according to Flowe, he and his workers were threatened with a gun by numerous people, including Smith and Turner, threatening to shoot them if they did not continue working.[46] According to Smith, only Turner showed up with a shotgun and proceeded to "[act] like he was somebody" before a guard took away his gun.[34] Eventually, construction resumed, and construction was barely completed by the time the first days of activities occurred for the 1960 World 600.[34][47][48] In later interviews, Smith called it a "miracle" the track was built, having admitted to losing $150,000 building it.[35][49] The track cost around two million dollars according to McIlvaine,[50] with $74,000 in debts owed to Flowe by the end of its initial construction.[51]

Early extreme track and financial troubles edit

The track officially opened to cars for a practice session on June 15, 1960. Immediately, the track saw issues. During the track's first day, incomplete facilities were reported by The State.[52] To further compound problems, the asphalt of the track had several holes due to speeds of approximately 130 miles per hour (210 km/h) of the track. The issue had gotten so prevalent that Charlotte Observer writer George Cunningham reported that "four gravel-deep fox holes grew... out of the second turn. And practically the entire surface on the third and fourth turns resembled an old lady's wrinkled face".[53] However, some hope remained that the track would cure at faster speeds, including driver Fireball Roberts.[54] Track leaders ordered a hasty repave of the track, and by the next day, most of the track's surface held up.[55] By June 18, more financial problems ensued; the track was sued by Roy E. Thomas, a souvenir program advertising seller, for $10,000 (adjusted for inflation, $102,992) for breach of contract because he was let go of his job.[56] By race day, Smith began to pray that the race would go over halfway so he would not have to give out refunds.[34] During the race itself, track surface issues resurfaced; numerous mechanical problems, including blown tires, broken axles, suspensions giving out, and other problems were reported by drivers such as Tom Pistone, Doug Yates, and Ned Jarrett due to the track's rough surface. Another driver, Emanuel Zervakis, stated, "It's rough as hell! All the cars will have to be rebuilt... there's no doubt about it".[57] In addition, the track was reported to have come apart in numerous areas, with drivers having to avoid flying pieces of asphalt during the race.[34] Max Muhlehurn, writer for The Charlotte News, stated that "The 600 will go down in history as the only race ever run in which drivers were forced to dodge track blemishes more often than other cars".[58]

By July 17, McIlvaine spread rumors that the track would appoint new management, under either NASCAR president Bill France Sr. or Darlington Raceway president Bob Colvin.[50] The rumor was repelled by both Smith and Turner, with Turner threatening legal action.[59] Within the next couple months, numerous claims of Smith and Turner owing money to various groups and companies were made, including owing $90,000 to the Connecticut General Life Insurance Co.,[60] $40,200 to the Internal Revenue Service,[61] $65,000 to Propst and his construction company, and $204,000 to McDevitt Street and Co. The track also was found to have defaulted on their initial mortgage.[62] By August, only Propst had been paid off, with further repaves scheduled to fix track surface issues.[63] In November 22, the track was reported to have amassed around $1 million in debts.[64] Two more lawsuits were filed in January 1961 by excavating companies.[65] In February, the track wished to host a National Football League (NFL) exhibition game between the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles;[66] however, the deal fell through when Smith found terms from Redskins owner George Preston Marshall to be unreasonable.[67]

On March 1, 1961, Flowe filed a civil action lawsuit against the track, seeking to recover $138,155.28 in reparations for construction costs, claiming breach of contract.[68] Three months later, as of result of McIlvaine threatening the foreclosure and subsequent auction of the track, Turner and Smith resigned from the board of directors, with Smith staying as a promotional director.[69] Board of directors member Duke Ellington replaced Turner as the track's general manager. Turner later accused Smith and Ellington on conspiring to oust him, along with stating inflated profits.[70] In July, Turner and his investor group announced plans to regain control of the track by either buying the track in a public sale or accumulating enough stock.[71] By August, even though the track experienced an "unusually successful" 1961 World 600, they warned stockholders that the track was in "serious trouble and can only gain financial stability through the arrangement of long-term financing immediately".[72] By the beginning of October, with the track still having $500,000 in debt, foreclosure proceedings began, with the track being planned to be sold at auction on October 30.[73] In attempts to stop it, numerous solutions were brought up, including plans to seek a "miracle" loan[74] and another separate plan that involved Smith partnering to raise $600,000 with investors to save the track.[75] After the auction was delayed,[76] on November 3, James Braxton Craven Jr., a judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina, ruled to let the district court take over and manage the track, with the track entering Chapter 10 bankruptcy, ceasing all officers' and directors' positions. The track was also protected from creditors by the count, essentially becoming a ward.[77][78]

Bankruptcy under federal court control edit

In the aftermath of Craven's ruling, Robert Nelson Robinson, a local Charlotte lawyer, was appointed to run the track by Craven.[79] Numerous loan offers to pull the track out of its financial woes, including separate offers from businessmen Roger D. Edwards[80] and Dwight Cross were made.[81] On December 9, Craven ruled to let the track's management find loans and funds to creditors who were seeking money, with Robinson being ordered to come up with a plan to ensure the $900,000 payment to various creditors, essentially saving the track.[82] By the beginning of January 1962, however, no progress was made, leading to threats from Craven to liquidate the track by March if no plan was made.[83] By the end of the month, a stockholders committee, headed by A. C. Goines, planned to ask the nearly 2,300 shareholders of the track to buy trustee certificates ranging from $100-1,000, with a plan to raise $300,000; half of the $600,000 needed to start reorganization.[84] After a "wonderful" initial stockholder meeting on February 18,[85] a last-ditch effort was scheduled to raise $50,000 six days later.[86] On the day of the meeting, the committee was successful in raising the $300,000 needed.[87] However, Cross, who was planning to loan the rest of the funds needed, was rejected.[88] By May, Craven ordered a investigation on the track to find out instances of mismanagement.[89] By July, although Craven was convinced the track could be saved,[90] the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) was asked to assist with the investigation due to preliminary findings of mismanagement and potential fraud.[91][92] Eventually, a reorganization plan hearing was set for November 5.[93]

In October, a new $345,000 loan from McIlvaine was guaranteed despite the track owing McIlvaine over $300,000, taking more financial pressure off the track.[94] The next month, Craven approved a plan made by Robinson that would let stockholders and creditors vote on a reorganization plan from December to January 3, 1963.[95][96] Although the plan initially did not receive enough support from creditors,[97] the plan was eventually approved,[98] with Craven giving final approval for a stock sale in February.[99] By April, the plan saw major success, with the track paying over $740,000 of its debt.[100] In mid-April, Craven let the track back into private owners' hands, headed by an 11-person board of directors led by A. C. Goines that was to last for at least one year, completing the reorganization process.[101] In that same year, Bruton Smith left his job as a result of him being found guilty of failing to properly file tax returns in 1955 and 1956.[102][103]

Richard Howard era, stabilization edit

By December 1963, Goines declared while announcing a 10% stock dividend, "We've taken some bitter medicine, but the patient has been saved".[104] By February 1964, the track saw a profit for the first time.[105] Goines resigned after the mandatory one-year period, with his position being filled by leading stockholder Richard Howard, a furniture store owner.[106] The track later oversaw numerous driver fatalities in the mid-1960s; longtime driver Glenn "Fireball" Roberts died on July 2, 1964 due to complications from a fiery crash at the 1964 World 600,[107] and Harold Kite, a World War II veteran, died on October 17, 1965, during the 1965 National 400 in a crash on the race's first lap.[108]

Under the leadership of Howard, the track was able to pay off its mortgage three years early, finally ending the last of the track's financial woes.[109] Throughout Howard's tenure, he was seen as a "good ol' country boy" who spent conservatively on the track; however, he was willing to renovate parts of the track and add capacity.[110] In 1965, the track opted to diversify their holdings, buying out the Rightway Investment Corporation, an insurance finance company.[111] By 1970, the track announced constructions of a new road course,[3] along with new grandstands according to tax records.[112] By the early 1970s, the track was increasing their profits year-by-year.[113]

Bruton Smith and Humpy Wheeler's takeover edit

See also: Humpy Wheeler

In the mid-1970s, after a successful stint in the car dealership business, Smith, keeping his true thoughts away from the public at the time, thought that owning the track during this time would be an highly profitable venture, with the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company and its subsidiary Winston introducing their sponsorship of the NASCAR Cup Series in 1970.[114] By 1973, Smith bought almost 500,000 shares from his initial amount of 40,000 when he resigned, with Smith stating that he did not know why he bought as many as he did.[115] By early 1974, despite an attempt to stop elections for the track's board of directors,[116] Smith was elected as the track's chairman, effectively placing him back in charge. Howard was elected as the track's president.[117][103] Later that year, Howard announced a $2.5 million renovation of the track, aimed at improving the physical appearance of the track and adding seating.[118]

Throughout 1975, Howard and Smith spat on each other in the media, entering a fierce battle for control. In January, Howard regained control of the board of directors despite threatening to resign.[119] By early February, Howard stated that that he was tired of the track being run from Illinois, where Smith lived. In response, Smith accused him of consolidating too much power along with financial irregularities.[120] In July, Smith bought around 80,000 shares from Howard's relatives, which was considered a major turning point in the battle for control.[121] On August 29, H. A. "Humpy" Wheeler, a former public relations representative for various companies, was hired as the track's development director.[122] With the hire, Howard felt his position was threatened, with local media predicting that Wheeler's hiring was the final piece for a total takeover by Smith.[123][110] By October 5, The Atlanta Constitution reported that the 1975 National 500 was to be Howard's final race with the track, with a final decision to come on January 30, 1976, the day of the annual stockholders' meeting.[124] Although Howard initially denied these claims[125] and later stated interest of taking a consultant job with Smith, Howard stated he was "99% certain" of leaving by October 23.[126] On the day of the meeting, a tearful Howard officially announced his resignation from his position, essentially giving Smith full control over the track, with Wheeler filling in as president.[127]

Humpy Wheeler era, promotions, failed NFL proposal edit

Under the track leadership of Wheeler and Smith, the track became known for its promotions and rapid expansion to modernize and promote the facility. In Wheeler's first year as president, he announced a $3–5 million renovation that was to be completed in 1981.[128] Wheeler became known in the following years for pulling off elaborate and unique promotions. In 1976, he convinced Janet Guthrie to enter the 1976 World 600 to attract female spectators.[129][130] In 1977, to promote a rivalry between longtime driver Cale Yarborough and newcomer Darrell Waltrip, he paraded around a contraption that poked fun at Waltrip's nickname, "Jaws", and Yarborough's sponsor, Holly Farms Poultry. Wheeler placed a dead chicken inside a dead shark's mouth, placed it on a pickup truck's sling, and paraded it before first round qualifying of the 1977 NAPA National 500.[131] In 1980, the track announced further renovations worth $16 million, with a stated goal of bringing capacity to 150,000.[132] In 1983, the track announced the construction of 36 condominiums;[18] the number later increased for 40, and all sold out by its completion by 1984 despite initial mockery.[19][20]

In 1985, the city of Charlotte sought to attract a professional football team. In March, Smith announced plans to build a football stadium on the track's frontstretch,[133] with a capacity of 76,000, temporary endzone grandstands, and retractable grandstand seating behind the track's pit road.[134] Original plans for the track had included a football stadium, but was scrapped due to numerous factors in construction.[135][136] During the official announcement on March 13, Smith stated that he would build it if either the local government or investors gave him $10 million.[134] He oversaw competition from fellow Charlotte businessman George Shinn, who wanted either a National Football League (NFL) or a team in the fledgling United States Football League (USFL). However, Smith only wanted an NFL team.[137] The city refused to assist with construction costs, and all plans died within the year;[136] however, Smith did state renewed interest of hosting an NFL team at the track two years later.[138]

Mass expansion and improvement, injury-riddled period edit

 
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 track built a membership-exclusive club and restaurant named The Speedway Club.[22] By the end of the 1980s, the track had a maximum capacity of 170,922.[13] In 1991, Smith directed the installation of lights at the track with the help of Iowa-based Musco Lighting. At the time, it was viewed as a major feat as no oval track as big as the Charlotte Motor Speedway had ever implemented such a system.[139] The lights were installed by April 1992.[140] In 1994, the track renovated its garage area at a cost of around $1 million, drawing praise from driver Dale Jarrett.[141] In 1999, the track partnered with hardware retail chain Lowe's to buy out naming rights to the track, the first time a corporate sponsor ever had naming rights to a track.[142]

Throughout the 1990s and the early 2000s, the track oversaw numerous injuries and fatalities from both drivers and spectators. In 1989, Wheeler created the NASCAR Sportsman Division, a series that had the intended goal of giving short track drivers experience on longer tracks. The track played host to numerous races.[143] The series immediately gained a reputation for being a dangerous division due to a series of crashes within the span of six years at the track. A series of three fatal crashes occurred; David Gaines in 1990,[144] Gary Batson in 1992,[145] and Russell Phillips in 1995, with the third being decapitated when his head hit a caution light.[146][147] By the end of 1995, Wheeler gave control of the series to NASCAR, who ended it quickly afterward in 1996.[148][147] In 1999, during a Indy Racing League race, the 1999 VisionAire 500K, an early accident involving Stan Wattles and John Paul Jr. occurred on the speedway's front stretch, resulting in heavy debris. Wattles' right rear wheel and tire assembly flew into the grandstands at high speeds, killing three people and injuring eight more, cancelling the race.[149] In 2000, after the 2000 The Winston, a pedestrian bridge collapsed, injuring 107 people,[150] which was later blamed on the manufacturer of the bridge for using an improper additive.[151][152] In the next two years, two ARCA drivers died in accidents; Blaise Alexander in 2001,[153] and Eric Martin in 2002.[154]

In 2005, the track announced a repave, with the track using a process called levigation to smooth out bumps on the track's surface.[155] The repave led to numerous problems for both of the track's NASCAR race weekends in 2005, leading to another repave in 2006.[156][157] In 2007, Smith announced plans to construct a drag strip.[27] The plan was met with heavy criticism from the Concord City Council, making a special legislative session to decide whether to block plans for it.[28] Smith vehemently opposed it, deciding to start preliminary grading on it regardless.[158] On October 2, the council voted unanimously to block Smith's plans.[159] In response, Smith threatened to shut down the track or to relegate it to a testing facility unless the decision was reversed, which would lead to a massive financial blow in the Concord economy.[29] The council quickly backtracked, and tried to convince Smith to stay by offering Smith a lofty incentive package of $80 million, a street named in his honor, and a tax break along with letting him build the drag strip.[30] On November 26, Smith stated his final decision in letting the track continue as is, stating, "We're here forever".[31]

Turbulent retirement of Wheeler edit

Tensions between Smith and Wheeler had been documented since 1991, with the two being in "constant disagreement" over topics.[160] By 2008, Wheeler grew angry at several new developments Smith directed, including the controversial drag strip.[161] On May 21, 2008, Wheeler announced his abrupt retirement from his position at the track that was effective after the 2008 Coca-Cola 600, ending a reign since 1975.[162] Although Smith claimed that he offered Wheeler a consulting job and that Wheeler himself hoped for a part-time position,[163][164] he would leave all track duties related to the track.[162] Wheeler was replaced by Marcus Smith, one of Smith's sons.[165] In 2009, corporate sponsor Lowe's ended its partnership with the track, ending an 11-year partnership, with the track reverting back to the "Charlotte Motor Speedway" name.[166]

Steady attendance declines, renovations edit

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

Throughout the 2010s, the track oversaw steady attendance declines that correlated with an overall attendance decline within NASCAR. As a result, the track tore down 41,000 seats in 2014,[14] and an unspecified amount of seats in 2017.[15] In 2017, the track was used for filming of the movie Logan Lucky, a fictional movie about a heist that involved a group of people stealing $14 million from the track.[167] In 2018, Marcus stepped down from general manager responsibilities to focus on running SMI as its CEO, handing the position over to the speedway's executive vice president at the time, Greg Walter. In interviews, Walter expressed a desire for expanding the track's uses for endeavors other than racing, along with further renovations.[168] In 2021, the NASCAR All-Star Race, which had been held at the track annually with two exceptions in 1986 and 2020, was moved to the Texas Motor Speedway to try and reverse sagging attendance at Texas.[169]

The track has seen numerous renovations and additions since the 2010s. In 2011, Marcus directed the construction of a 200 foot by 80 foot television screen on the track's backstretch, demolishing old backstretch seats in the process.[170] In 2015, the track renovated its barriers in response to Kyle Busch's injury at the Daytona International Speedway in February.[171] In 2023, the track announced plans to build a dedicated road course.[172]

Events edit

Racing events edit

NASCAR edit

See also: Coca-Cola 600, Bank of America Roval 400, BetMGM 300, Drive for the Cure 250, and North Carolina Education Lottery 200 (Charlotte)

Since 1960, the track has held two annual NASCAR Cup Series races per year: the World 600 (known as the Coca-Cola 600 for sponsorship reasons) and the Bank of America Roval 400. The World 600 was originally planned to be run on American Independence Day weekend;[173] however, after the success of the inaugural Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway which was held on July 4, this was put under doubt.[174] On September 23, 1959, a race date was set for Memorial Day weekend.[175] Upon the race's inaugural iteration, the race became one of the longest, largest, and highest-paying motor races in the world.[176][177] Since its inaugural race, the race has become a staple on the NASCAR schedule, becoming a "crown jewel" event for being the longest race on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule annually.[178][179]

The latter was formerly a 500-mile race that was commonly known as the National 500, which was run in October. Initially a 400-mile race, the inaugural race was officially announced on June 29, 1960, two weeks after the inaugural World 600.[180] In 1966, the race distance increased to 501 miles, which remained until 2018.[181] In 2018, in attempts to reverse declining attendance for the race, the race both decreased to 400 kilometers and was run on a specialized "roval" course.[182][183] Along with its Cup Series races, the track also hosts lower-tier NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series races.[184]

In 1985, Wheeler and the R. J. Reynolds Tobacco Company directed the creation of The Winston (now called the NASCAR All-Star Race), a race that featured race winners of the previous season.[185] Since 1987, the track ran the event annually, with various changes to its format and eligibility rules throughout its time.[186] However, in 2020, the race was moved to the Bristol Motor Speedway due to COVID-19 restrictions.[187] In 2021, the race officially moved to the Texas Motor Speedway to reverse declining attendance at Texas.[169]

Open wheel racing edit

See also: VisionAire 500K

In late 1979, the United States Auto Club (USAC) announced plans to run a 500 kilometres (310 mi) race in October 1980.[188] However, the race was cancelled in April due to an agreement with USAC and Championship Auto Racing Teams (CART).[189] In December 1996, IndyCar announced plans for an IndyCar race to be held in July 1997.[190] The race ran for three years; the last race was cancelled after an accident caused flying debris that killed three spectators.[149]

Other racing series edit

Numerous runnings of the Grand Prix of Charlotte, a sports car event, have been run by various organizations. In 2000, the track held a one-off Grand Prix of Charlotte that was sanctioned American Le Mans Series.[191] The race was last run in 2020 by the IMSA SportsCar Championship.[192]

Festivals edit

 
A crowd of people at the August Jam in 1974. The concert gained a reputation for its violence, becoming "Carolina's Woodstock".

On August 10, 1974, the track hosted the August Jam. Regarded as "Carolina's Woodstock", the festival drew over 200,000 people, more than double than what was expected due to a security breach. The festival unintentionally became the largest music festival in North Carolina history.[193][194] The concert soon gained a violent reputation; Richard Howard, president of the track, compared the actions of spectators to Japanese Army suicide attacks at the Battle of Okinawa, with damages totaling $50,000.[195]

From 2013 to 2018, the track held the Carolina Rebellion festival.[196][197] Since 2021, the track has hosted a branch of the touring Breakaway Festival.[198] In 2024, in addition to the Breakaway Festival, its organizers also plan to a second show at the track for 2024 tailored for EDM that is managed by the Breakaway Festival.[199] That same year, the track also announced it would host the inaugural edition of the Lovin’ Life Music Fest.[200]

Other events edit

The speedway hosts an annual Christmas-themed drive-thru lights show, a tradition that started in 2010.[201] In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the track hosted high school graduations for 10 high schools within the Cabarrus County area.[202]

Lap records edit

As of May 2023, the fastest official race lap records at the Charlotte Motor Speedway are listed as:

Category Time Driver Vehicle Date
NASCAR "Roval" (Road Course-Oval with chicanes): 3.669 km (2019–present)[a][203][204]
Trans-Am 1.18.188[205] Paul Menard Chevrolet Camaro Trans-Am 2022 Charlotte Trans-Am round
NASCAR Cup 1:21.795[206] A. J. Allmendinger Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 2022 Bank of America Roval 400
NASCAR Xfinity 1:23.330[207] Ty Gibbs Toyota Supra 2022 Drive for the Cure 250
LM GTE 1:26.655[208] Connor De Phillippi BMW M8 GTE 2020 MOTUL 100% Synthetic Grand Prix
GT3 1:27.546[208] Bill Auberlen BMW M6 GT3 2020 MOTUL 100% Synthetic Grand Prix
NASCAR "Roval" (Road Course-Oval with chicanes): 3.669 km (2018)[a][203][204]
NASCAR Cup 1:18.078[209] Kyle Larson Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 2018 Bank of America Roval 400
NASCAR Xfinity 1:18.869[210] Chase Briscoe Ford Mustang GT 2018 Drive for the Cure 200
Oval: 2.414 km (1960–present)[203][204]
IndyCar 0:24.735[211] Kenny Bräck Dallara IR-7 1998 VisionAire 500K
NASCAR Cup 0:28.598[212] Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet SS 2017 Coca-Cola 600
NASCAR Xfinity 0:29.962[213] Kyle Busch Toyota Supra 2020 Alsco 300
NASCAR Truck 0:30.017[214] Carson Hocevar Chevrolet Silverado 2023 North Carolina Education Lottery 200
Road Course: 3.621 km (1971–2014)[203][204]
LMP900 1:05.524[215] Jan Magnussen Panoz LMP-1 Roadster-S 2000 Grand Prix of Charlotte
IMSA GTP 1:08.170[216] Bob Wollek Ford Mustang GTP 1984 Charlotte GT 500
Can-Am 1:09.443[217] Alan Jones Lola T333CS 1978 Charlotte Trans-Am round
GT1 (GTS) 1:10.817[215] Karl Wendlinger Dodge Viper GTS-R 2000 Grand Prix of Charlotte
IMSA GTO 1:12.756[218] Dennis Aase Toyota Celica 1985 Grand Prix of Charlotte
IMSA GTP Lights 1:12.853[219] John Maffucci Argo JM16B 1985 Grand Prix of Charlotte
Group 4 1:14.406[220] Peter Gregg Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 1974 Charlotte 300
Trans-Am 1:15.046[221] George Follmer Chevrolet Camaro 1981 Charlotte Trans-Am round
GT 1:15.277[215] Dirk Müller Porsche 911 GT3-R (996) 2000 Grand Prix of Charlotte
IMSA GTU 1:16.127[218] Chris Cord Toyota Celica 1985 Grand Prix of Charlotte

Notes edit

  1. ^ a b c d The backstraight chicane was changed in the Roval layout in 2019; despite this, the circuit layout length is same.

References edit

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External links edit

 
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January 01, 1970
charlotte, motor, speedway, formerly, known, lowe, motor, speedway, from, 1999, 2009, sponsorship, reasons, mile, quad, oval, intermediate, speedway, concord, north, carolina, hosted, various, major, races, since, inaugural, season, racing, 1960, including, na. Charlotte Motor Speedway formerly known as Lowe s Motor Speedway from 1999 to 2009 due to sponsorship reasons is a 1 500 mile 2 414 km quad oval intermediate speedway in Concord North Carolina It has hosted various major races since its inaugural season of racing in 1960 including NASCAR IndyCar and IMSA SportsCar Championship races The track is currently owned by Speedway Motorsports LLC SMI with Greg Walter serving as the track s general manager Charlotte Motor Speedway is served by U S Route 29 Charlotte Motor SpeedwayAmerica s Home for RacingQuad oval 1960 present Location5555 Concord Parkway South Concord North Carolina 28027Time zoneUTC 5 UTC 4 DST Coordinates35 21 09 N 80 40 57 W 35 35250 N 80 68250 W 35 35250 80 68250OwnerSpeedway Motorsports 1974 1976 present Broke ground28 July 1959 64 years ago 1959 07 28 Opened15 June 1960 63 years ago 1960 06 15 Construction cost 2 million USDFormer namesLowe s Motor Speedway 1999 2009 Major eventsCurrent NASCAR Cup SeriesCoca Cola 600 1960 present Bank of America Roval 400 1960 present NASCAR All Star Race 1985 1987 2019 Former IMSA SportsCar ChampionshipGrand Prix of Charlotte 1971 1974 1982 1986 2000 2020 Pirelli World Challenge 2000 2007 Indy Racing LeagueVisionAire 500K 1997 1999 Can Am 1978 1979 Websitecharlottemotorspeedway wbr comQuad Oval 1960 present SurfaceAsphaltLength1 500 miles 2 414 km Turns4BankingTurns 24 Straights 5 Race lap record0 24 735 Kenny Brack Dallara IR 7 1998 IndyCar NASCAR Road Course Roval 2019 present a SurfaceAsphaltLength2 280 miles 3 669 km Turns17BankingOval turns 24 Oval straights 5 Race lap record1 18 188 Paul Menard Chevrolet Camaro Trans Am 2022 Trans Am NASCAR Road Course Roval 2018 a SurfaceAsphaltLength2 280 miles 3 669 km Turns17BankingOval turns 24 Oval straights 5 Race lap record1 18 078 Kyle Larson Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 2018 NASCAR Cup Roval 1971 2014 SurfaceAsphaltLength2 250 miles 3 621 km Turns18BankingOval turns 24 Oval straights 5 Race lap record1 05 524 Jan Magnussen Panoz LMP 1 Roadster S 2000 LMP900 The speedway has a capacity of 95 000 as of 2021 down from its peak of over 170 000 in the 1990s and 2000s 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 1 5 mile 0 32 km clay short track a 2 5 mile 0 64 km dirt track and a 1 4 mile 0 40 km long drag strip The main track also features an infield road course that is used with the oval to make a roval 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 Smith agreed to sell shares needed for the track s construction Construction of the track was completed in less than 11 months The track immediately faced a litany of issues particularly financial woes Within the track 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 the track in 1976 Since then the Smith family and their company SMI have directed the track s expansion and growth into becoming one of the largest sports facilities in the United States Contents 1 Description 1 1 Configurations 1 2 Amenities 1 2 1 Adjacent tracks 2 History 2 1 Planning and construction 2 2 Early extreme track and financial troubles 2 2 1 Bankruptcy under federal court control 2 3 Richard Howard era stabilization 2 4 Bruton Smith and Humpy Wheeler s takeover 2 4 1 Humpy Wheeler era promotions failed NFL proposal 2 4 2 Mass expansion and improvement injury riddled period 2 5 Turbulent retirement of Wheeler 2 5 1 Steady attendance declines renovations 3 Events 3 1 Racing events 3 1 1 NASCAR 3 1 2 Open wheel racing 3 1 3 Other racing series 3 2 Festivals 3 3 Other events 4 Lap records 5 Notes 6 References 7 External linksDescription editConfigurations edit The speedway in its current form is measured at 1 5 miles 2 4 km with 24 degrees of banking in the turns and five degrees of banking on the track s frontstretch and backstretch 1 Within the main track s frontstretch there is a 1 4 mile 0 40 km oval that was built in 1991 that is primarily used for legends car racing 2 Numerous tracks exist in the track s infield In 1970 the track announced plans for an infield road course that was connected to the speedway s backstretch According to then general manager Richard Howard original plans for the speedway included a road course but was cut due to budget issues 3 The original road course s length has varied in reports the track has been reported to be as short as 1 75 miles 2 82 km according to the Salisbury Post 4 and as long 1 9 miles 3 1 km long according to The Charlotte Observer The road course held its first races on May 22 1971 as part of the 1971 World 600 race weekend 5 By August 1974 the track was reconfigured to become 2 25 miles 3 62 km 6 In 2018 the road course was modified to suit NASCAR racing adding a backstretch chicane 7 In 2019 the speedway s chicane was modified 8 In 2020 the track constructed a purpose built go kart track in the track s infield 9 Amenities edit The track is located directly next to U S Route 29 10 11 At the time of the track s initial construction the complex covered 551 acres and had a capacity of around 30 000 12 Over the span of several decades the track and its complex has expanded and been improved numerous times Throughout the ownership of Bruton Smith the track saw capacity grow seeing a peak of over 170 000 by the end of the 1980s 13 However since the 2000s capacity has seen a decrease with multiple grandstands being demolished in the 2010s 14 15 As of 2021 the track is reported to have a capacity of 95 000 16 The complex has also expanded to around 2 000 acres as of 2020 17 Numerous buildings are located on the complex for various uses In 1983 to celebrate the track s 25th anniversary the track announced the construction of 36 condominiums that were built to overlook the track s first turn 18 By the time the project was completed in mid 1984 the amount of condos increased to 40 and all were sold out by the end of 1983 19 20 At the end of 1984 the track announced the construction of a mall underneath the condos 21 In 1987 the track announced the construction of a members only private club and restaurant named The Speedway Club with annual membership starting at 6 500 adjusted for inflation 17 432 22 Adjacent tracks edit The Charlotte Motor Speedway complex has two adjacent tracks and a dragstrip near the main speedway By 1993 the track built a 1 5 mile 0 32 km clay short track that was made to conduct dirt legends car races 23 On August 10 1999 then general manager Humpy Wheeler announced the construction of a new 3 8 mile 0 60 km dirt track that was to be constructed across the main speedway 24 By January 2000 however the track length changed to become a 2 5 mile 0 64 km track 25 The track held its first races on May 28 2000 with the track featuring a lighting system and a capacity of 15 000 26 25 nbsp The Charlotte Motor Speedway drag strip pictured in 2008 The drag strip was built after a tumultuous and controversial approval process In August 2007 owner of Speedway Motorsports Bruton Smith announced plans to build a drag strip on the complex 27 Although the plan faced heavy opposition initially from local politicians 28 the drag strip was eventually built after Smith threatened to close down the speedway due to opposition 29 coercing the city to give him an incentive package of approximately 80 million using fears that shutting down the speedway would cripple the Concord economy 30 31 The drag strip which cost 60 million to build 32 held its first races in September 2008 33 History editPlanning and construction edit See also Bruton Smith and Curtis TurnerStock car racing with its origins tracing back to moonshiners during the Prohibition era oversaw a rise of popularity within the American Southeast throughout the 1940s and 1950s With this rise new modern tracks such as Darlington Raceway were built across the Southeast 34 In the late 1950s Bruton Smith a promoter who had found major success promoting races across the Carolinas sought to build his own racetrack In 1956 he partnered with businessman John William Propst Jr to build a racetrack At the same time driver and successful timber businessman Curtis Turner sought to do the same collaborating with local track officials 34 35 In 1958 Propst suffered a heart attack backing out of the partnership due to health issues Due to this Smith sought to partner with Turner After a few weeks of initial success in a meeting at the Barringer Hotel Turner declined to partner with Smith For numerous reasons including the feeling of betrayal the fact that Turner did not have enough funds to start his own track and knowing that the city of Charlotte could only support one track Smith announced his intentions of building his own speedway to rival Turner s on April 22 1959 the same day Turner announced his track 34 35 On May 8 Turner announced the track would be built bordering U S Route 29 inside of Cabarrus County North Carolina with a capacity of 30 000 12 However Turner struggled to sell the 300 000 shares needed Turner eventually agreed to partner with Smith with Smith becoming the vice president of the track and selling 100 000 shares 36 35 Additional stocks to be sold were added in December 1959 37 and April 1960 38 Groundbreaking on the track commenced on July 28 1959 It was meant to start two months earlier but was delayed due to legal issues 39 The track was immediately plagued with numerous construction issues The construction crew who worked on the track discovered large veins of granite underneath the track s soil shortly after groundbreaking To get rid of it grading contractor W Owen Flowe decided to blast it with dynamite causing delays 34 Reports of feral hornets were also made leading to multiple workers quitting 40 In March 1960 three snowstorms delayed construction even further 34 although the track s publicity director insisted that the track s construction was still ahead of schedule 41 By the end of March developers considered scrapping plans for grandstands to save time 42 The issues caused the track s first major race the NASCAR sanctioned 1960 World 600 to be delayed from its original date on May 29 to June 19 43 Longtime NASCAR mechanic Smokey Yunick called the construction location a giant mistake If they d have searched North Carolina for the worst possible place to build a racetrack that s where they built it 34 Smith blames Turner for the delays according to Smith Turner would commonly hire people irrationally while under the influence of alcohol with Smith having to turn them away 34 Despite these issues the project saw additional funding and a 300 000 loan from Washington D C businessman James L McIlvaine who was so confident that the project would succeed that he stated in The Charlotte Observer This is going to be one of the best investments I ve ever made and I ve made some good ones 44 Nearing the end of the track s construction a mutiny formed between Flowe and his workers citing unpaid fees and bounced checks On June 9 days before the World 600 Flowe parked several earthmovers on the track and stopped construction with Flowe threatening to sue 45 Disputing accounts exist of what happened to suppress it according to Flowe he and his workers were threatened with a gun by numerous people including Smith and Turner threatening to shoot them if they did not continue working 46 According to Smith only Turner showed up with a shotgun and proceeded to act like he was somebody before a guard took away his gun 34 Eventually construction resumed and construction was barely completed by the time the first days of activities occurred for the 1960 World 600 34 47 48 In later interviews Smith called it a miracle the track was built having admitted to losing 150 000 building it 35 49 The track cost around two million dollars according to McIlvaine 50 with 74 000 in debts owed to Flowe by the end of its initial construction 51 Early extreme track and financial troubles edit The track officially opened to cars for a practice session on June 15 1960 Immediately the track saw issues During the track s first day incomplete facilities were reported by The State 52 To further compound problems the asphalt of the track had several holes due to speeds of approximately 130 miles per hour 210 km h of the track The issue had gotten so prevalent that Charlotte Observer writer George Cunningham reported that four gravel deep fox holes grew out of the second turn And practically the entire surface on the third and fourth turns resembled an old lady s wrinkled face 53 However some hope remained that the track would cure at faster speeds including driver Fireball Roberts 54 Track leaders ordered a hasty repave of the track and by the next day most of the track s surface held up 55 By June 18 more financial problems ensued the track was sued by Roy E Thomas a souvenir program advertising seller for 10 000 adjusted for inflation 102 992 for breach of contract because he was let go of his job 56 By race day Smith began to pray that the race would go over halfway so he would not have to give out refunds 34 During the race itself track surface issues resurfaced numerous mechanical problems including blown tires broken axles suspensions giving out and other problems were reported by drivers such as Tom Pistone Doug Yates and Ned Jarrett due to the track s rough surface Another driver Emanuel Zervakis stated It s rough as hell All the cars will have to be rebuilt there s no doubt about it 57 In addition the track was reported to have come apart in numerous areas with drivers having to avoid flying pieces of asphalt during the race 34 Max Muhlehurn writer for The Charlotte News stated that The 600 will go down in history as the only race ever run in which drivers were forced to dodge track blemishes more often than other cars 58 By July 17 McIlvaine spread rumors that the track would appoint new management under either NASCAR president Bill France Sr or Darlington Raceway president Bob Colvin 50 The rumor was repelled by both Smith and Turner with Turner threatening legal action 59 Within the next couple months numerous claims of Smith and Turner owing money to various groups and companies were made including owing 90 000 to the Connecticut General Life Insurance Co 60 40 200 to the Internal Revenue Service 61 65 000 to Propst and his construction company and 204 000 to McDevitt Street and Co The track also was found to have defaulted on their initial mortgage 62 By August only Propst had been paid off with further repaves scheduled to fix track surface issues 63 In November 22 the track was reported to have amassed around 1 million in debts 64 Two more lawsuits were filed in January 1961 by excavating companies 65 In February the track wished to host a National Football League NFL exhibition game between the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles 66 however the deal fell through when Smith found terms from Redskins owner George Preston Marshall to be unreasonable 67 On March 1 1961 Flowe filed a civil action lawsuit against the track seeking to recover 138 155 28 in reparations for construction costs claiming breach of contract 68 Three months later as of result of McIlvaine threatening the foreclosure and subsequent auction of the track Turner and Smith resigned from the board of directors with Smith staying as a promotional director 69 Board of directors member Duke Ellington replaced Turner as the track s general manager Turner later accused Smith and Ellington on conspiring to oust him along with stating inflated profits 70 In July Turner and his investor group announced plans to regain control of the track by either buying the track in a public sale or accumulating enough stock 71 By August even though the track experienced an unusually successful 1961 World 600 they warned stockholders that the track was in serious trouble and can only gain financial stability through the arrangement of long term financing immediately 72 By the beginning of October with the track still having 500 000 in debt foreclosure proceedings began with the track being planned to be sold at auction on October 30 73 In attempts to stop it numerous solutions were brought up including plans to seek a miracle loan 74 and another separate plan that involved Smith partnering to raise 600 000 with investors to save the track 75 After the auction was delayed 76 on November 3 James Braxton Craven Jr a judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of North Carolina ruled to let the district court take over and manage the track with the track entering Chapter 10 bankruptcy ceasing all officers and directors positions The track was also protected from creditors by the count essentially becoming a ward 77 78 Bankruptcy under federal court control edit In the aftermath of Craven s ruling Robert Nelson Robinson a local Charlotte lawyer was appointed to run the track by Craven 79 Numerous loan offers to pull the track out of its financial woes including separate offers from businessmen Roger D Edwards 80 and Dwight Cross were made 81 On December 9 Craven ruled to let the track s management find loans and funds to creditors who were seeking money with Robinson being ordered to come up with a plan to ensure the 900 000 payment to various creditors essentially saving the track 82 By the beginning of January 1962 however no progress was made leading to threats from Craven to liquidate the track by March if no plan was made 83 By the end of the month a stockholders committee headed by A C Goines planned to ask the nearly 2 300 shareholders of the track to buy trustee certificates ranging from 100 1 000 with a plan to raise 300 000 half of the 600 000 needed to start reorganization 84 After a wonderful initial stockholder meeting on February 18 85 a last ditch effort was scheduled to raise 50 000 six days later 86 On the day of the meeting the committee was successful in raising the 300 000 needed 87 However Cross who was planning to loan the rest of the funds needed was rejected 88 By May Craven ordered a investigation on the track to find out instances of mismanagement 89 By July although Craven was convinced the track could be saved 90 the Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI was asked to assist with the investigation due to preliminary findings of mismanagement and potential fraud 91 92 Eventually a reorganization plan hearing was set for November 5 93 In October a new 345 000 loan from McIlvaine was guaranteed despite the track owing McIlvaine over 300 000 taking more financial pressure off the track 94 The next month Craven approved a plan made by Robinson that would let stockholders and creditors vote on a reorganization plan from December to January 3 1963 95 96 Although the plan initially did not receive enough support from creditors 97 the plan was eventually approved 98 with Craven giving final approval for a stock sale in February 99 By April the plan saw major success with the track paying over 740 000 of its debt 100 In mid April Craven let the track back into private owners hands headed by an 11 person board of directors led by A C Goines that was to last for at least one year completing the reorganization process 101 In that same year Bruton Smith left his job as a result of him being found guilty of failing to properly file tax returns in 1955 and 1956 102 103 Richard Howard era stabilization edit By December 1963 Goines declared while announcing a 10 stock dividend We ve taken some bitter medicine but the patient has been saved 104 By February 1964 the track saw a profit for the first time 105 Goines resigned after the mandatory one year period with his position being filled by leading stockholder Richard Howard a furniture store owner 106 The track later oversaw numerous driver fatalities in the mid 1960s longtime driver Glenn Fireball Roberts died on July 2 1964 due to complications from a fiery crash at the 1964 World 600 107 and Harold Kite a World War II veteran died on October 17 1965 during the 1965 National 400 in a crash on the race s first lap 108 Under the leadership of Howard the track was able to pay off its mortgage three years early finally ending the last of the track s financial woes 109 Throughout Howard s tenure he was seen as a good ol country boy who spent conservatively on the track however he was willing to renovate parts of the track and add capacity 110 In 1965 the track opted to diversify their holdings buying out the Rightway Investment Corporation an insurance finance company 111 By 1970 the track announced constructions of a new road course 3 along with new grandstands according to tax records 112 By the early 1970s the track was increasing their profits year by year 113 Bruton Smith and Humpy Wheeler s takeover edit See also Humpy WheelerIn the mid 1970s after a successful stint in the car dealership business Smith keeping his true thoughts away from the public at the time thought that owning the track during this time would be an highly profitable venture with the R J Reynolds Tobacco Company and its subsidiary Winston introducing their sponsorship of the NASCAR Cup Series in 1970 114 By 1973 Smith bought almost 500 000 shares from his initial amount of 40 000 when he resigned with Smith stating that he did not know why he bought as many as he did 115 By early 1974 despite an attempt to stop elections for the track s board of directors 116 Smith was elected as the track s chairman effectively placing him back in charge Howard was elected as the track s president 117 103 Later that year Howard announced a 2 5 million renovation of the track aimed at improving the physical appearance of the track and adding seating 118 Throughout 1975 Howard and Smith spat on each other in the media entering a fierce battle for control In January Howard regained control of the board of directors despite threatening to resign 119 By early February Howard stated that that he was tired of the track being run from Illinois where Smith lived In response Smith accused him of consolidating too much power along with financial irregularities 120 In July Smith bought around 80 000 shares from Howard s relatives which was considered a major turning point in the battle for control 121 On August 29 H A Humpy Wheeler a former public relations representative for various companies was hired as the track s development director 122 With the hire Howard felt his position was threatened with local media predicting that Wheeler s hiring was the final piece for a total takeover by Smith 123 110 By October 5 The Atlanta Constitution reported that the 1975 National 500 was to be Howard s final race with the track with a final decision to come on January 30 1976 the day of the annual stockholders meeting 124 Although Howard initially denied these claims 125 and later stated interest of taking a consultant job with Smith Howard stated he was 99 certain of leaving by October 23 126 On the day of the meeting a tearful Howard officially announced his resignation from his position essentially giving Smith full control over the track with Wheeler filling in as president 127 Humpy Wheeler era promotions failed NFL proposal edit Under the track leadership of Wheeler and Smith the track became known for its promotions and rapid expansion to modernize and promote the facility In Wheeler s first year as president he announced a 3 5 million renovation that was to be completed in 1981 128 Wheeler became known in the following years for pulling off elaborate and unique promotions In 1976 he convinced Janet Guthrie to enter the 1976 World 600 to attract female spectators 129 130 In 1977 to promote a rivalry between longtime driver Cale Yarborough and newcomer Darrell Waltrip he paraded around a contraption that poked fun at Waltrip s nickname Jaws and Yarborough s sponsor Holly Farms Poultry Wheeler placed a dead chicken inside a dead shark s mouth placed it on a pickup truck s sling and paraded it before first round qualifying of the 1977 NAPA National 500 131 In 1980 the track announced further renovations worth 16 million with a stated goal of bringing capacity to 150 000 132 In 1983 the track announced the construction of 36 condominiums 18 the number later increased for 40 and all sold out by its completion by 1984 despite initial mockery 19 20 In 1985 the city of Charlotte sought to attract a professional football team In March Smith announced plans to build a football stadium on the track s frontstretch 133 with a capacity of 76 000 temporary endzone grandstands and retractable grandstand seating behind the track s pit road 134 Original plans for the track had included a football stadium but was scrapped due to numerous factors in construction 135 136 During the official announcement on March 13 Smith stated that he would build it if either the local government or investors gave him 10 million 134 He oversaw competition from fellow Charlotte businessman George Shinn who wanted either a National Football League NFL or a team in the fledgling United States Football League USFL However Smith only wanted an NFL team 137 The city refused to assist with construction costs and all plans died within the year 136 however Smith did state renewed interest of hosting an NFL team at the track two years later 138 Mass expansion and improvement injury riddled period edit nbsp 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 track built a membership exclusive club and restaurant named The Speedway Club 22 By the end of the 1980s the track had a maximum capacity of 170 922 13 In 1991 Smith directed the installation of lights at the track with the help of Iowa based Musco Lighting At the time it was viewed as a major feat as no oval track as big as the Charlotte Motor Speedway had ever implemented such a system 139 The lights were installed by April 1992 140 In 1994 the track renovated its garage area at a cost of around 1 million drawing praise from driver Dale Jarrett 141 In 1999 the track partnered with hardware retail chain Lowe s to buy out naming rights to the track the first time a corporate sponsor ever had naming rights to a track 142 Throughout the 1990s and the early 2000s the track oversaw numerous injuries and fatalities from both drivers and spectators In 1989 Wheeler created the NASCAR Sportsman Division a series that had the intended goal of giving short track drivers experience on longer tracks The track played host to numerous races 143 The series immediately gained a reputation for being a dangerous division due to a series of crashes within the span of six years at the track A series of three fatal crashes occurred David Gaines in 1990 144 Gary Batson in 1992 145 and Russell Phillips in 1995 with the third being decapitated when his head hit a caution light 146 147 By the end of 1995 Wheeler gave control of the series to NASCAR who ended it quickly afterward in 1996 148 147 In 1999 during a Indy Racing League race the 1999 VisionAire 500K an early accident involving Stan Wattles and John Paul Jr occurred on the speedway s front stretch resulting in heavy debris Wattles right rear wheel and tire assembly flew into the grandstands at high speeds killing three people and injuring eight more cancelling the race 149 In 2000 after the 2000 The Winston a pedestrian bridge collapsed injuring 107 people 150 which was later blamed on the manufacturer of the bridge for using an improper additive 151 152 In the next two years two ARCA drivers died in accidents Blaise Alexander in 2001 153 and Eric Martin in 2002 154 In 2005 the track announced a repave with the track using a process called levigation to smooth out bumps on the track s surface 155 The repave led to numerous problems for both of the track s NASCAR race weekends in 2005 leading to another repave in 2006 156 157 In 2007 Smith announced plans to construct a drag strip 27 The plan was met with heavy criticism from the Concord City Council making a special legislative session to decide whether to block plans for it 28 Smith vehemently opposed it deciding to start preliminary grading on it regardless 158 On October 2 the council voted unanimously to block Smith s plans 159 In response Smith threatened to shut down the track or to relegate it to a testing facility unless the decision was reversed which would lead to a massive financial blow in the Concord economy 29 The council quickly backtracked and tried to convince Smith to stay by offering Smith a lofty incentive package of 80 million a street named in his honor and a tax break along with letting him build the drag strip 30 On November 26 Smith stated his final decision in letting the track continue as is stating We re here forever 31 Turbulent retirement of Wheeler edit Tensions between Smith and Wheeler had been documented since 1991 with the two being in constant disagreement over topics 160 By 2008 Wheeler grew angry at several new developments Smith directed including the controversial drag strip 161 On May 21 2008 Wheeler announced his abrupt retirement from his position at the track that was effective after the 2008 Coca Cola 600 ending a reign since 1975 162 Although Smith claimed that he offered Wheeler a consulting job and that Wheeler himself hoped for a part time position 163 164 he would leave all track duties related to the track 162 Wheeler was replaced by Marcus Smith one of Smith s sons 165 In 2009 corporate sponsor Lowe s ended its partnership with the track ending an 11 year partnership with the track reverting back to the Charlotte Motor Speedway name 166 Steady attendance declines renovations edit nbsp NASCAR racing at the track s roval course In 2018 NASCAR changed their fall race weekend to race on the track s roval Throughout the 2010s the track oversaw steady attendance declines that correlated with an overall attendance decline within NASCAR As a result the track tore down 41 000 seats in 2014 14 and an unspecified amount of seats in 2017 15 In 2017 the track was used for filming of the movie Logan Lucky a fictional movie about a heist that involved a group of people stealing 14 million from the track 167 In 2018 Marcus stepped down from general manager responsibilities to focus on running SMI as its CEO handing the position over to the speedway s executive vice president at the time Greg Walter In interviews Walter expressed a desire for expanding the track s uses for endeavors other than racing along with further renovations 168 In 2021 the NASCAR All Star Race which had been held at the track annually with two exceptions in 1986 and 2020 was moved to the Texas Motor Speedway to try and reverse sagging attendance at Texas 169 The track has seen numerous renovations and additions since the 2010s In 2011 Marcus directed the construction of a 200 foot by 80 foot television screen on the track s backstretch demolishing old backstretch seats in the process 170 In 2015 the track renovated its barriers in response to Kyle Busch s injury at the Daytona International Speedway in February 171 In 2023 the track announced plans to build a dedicated road course 172 Events editRacing events edit NASCAR edit See also Coca Cola 600 Bank of America Roval 400 BetMGM 300 Drive for the Cure 250 and North Carolina Education Lottery 200 Charlotte Since 1960 the track has held two annual NASCAR Cup Series races per year the World 600 known as the Coca Cola 600 for sponsorship reasons and the Bank of America Roval 400 The World 600 was originally planned to be run on American Independence Day weekend 173 however after the success of the inaugural Firecracker 400 at Daytona International Speedway which was held on July 4 this was put under doubt 174 On September 23 1959 a race date was set for Memorial Day weekend 175 Upon the race s inaugural iteration the race became one of the longest largest and highest paying motor races in the world 176 177 Since its inaugural race the race has become a staple on the NASCAR schedule becoming a crown jewel event for being the longest race on the NASCAR Cup Series schedule annually 178 179 The latter was formerly a 500 mile race that was commonly known as the National 500 which was run in October Initially a 400 mile race the inaugural race was officially announced on June 29 1960 two weeks after the inaugural World 600 180 In 1966 the race distance increased to 501 miles which remained until 2018 181 In 2018 in attempts to reverse declining attendance for the race the race both decreased to 400 kilometers and was run on a specialized roval course 182 183 Along with its Cup Series races the track also hosts lower tier NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Truck Series races 184 In 1985 Wheeler and the R J Reynolds Tobacco Company directed the creation of The Winston now called the NASCAR All Star Race a race that featured race winners of the previous season 185 Since 1987 the track ran the event annually with various changes to its format and eligibility rules throughout its time 186 However in 2020 the race was moved to the Bristol Motor Speedway due to COVID 19 restrictions 187 In 2021 the race officially moved to the Texas Motor Speedway to reverse declining attendance at Texas 169 Open wheel racing edit See also VisionAire 500K In late 1979 the United States Auto Club USAC announced plans to run a 500 kilometres 310 mi race in October 1980 188 However the race was cancelled in April due to an agreement with USAC and Championship Auto Racing Teams CART 189 In December 1996 IndyCar announced plans for an IndyCar race to be held in July 1997 190 The race ran for three years the last race was cancelled after an accident caused flying debris that killed three spectators 149 Other racing series edit Numerous runnings of the Grand Prix of Charlotte a sports car event have been run by various organizations In 2000 the track held a one off Grand Prix of Charlotte that was sanctioned American Le Mans Series 191 The race was last run in 2020 by the IMSA SportsCar Championship 192 Festivals edit nbsp A crowd of people at the August Jam in 1974 The concert gained a reputation for its violence becoming Carolina s Woodstock On August 10 1974 the track hosted the August Jam Regarded as Carolina s Woodstock the festival drew over 200 000 people more than double than what was expected due to a security breach The festival unintentionally became the largest music festival in North Carolina history 193 194 The concert soon gained a violent reputation Richard Howard president of the track compared the actions of spectators to Japanese Army suicide attacks at the Battle of Okinawa with damages totaling 50 000 195 From 2013 to 2018 the track held the Carolina Rebellion festival 196 197 Since 2021 the track has hosted a branch of the touring Breakaway Festival 198 In 2024 in addition to the Breakaway Festival its organizers also plan to a second show at the track for 2024 tailored for EDM that is managed by the Breakaway Festival 199 That same year the track also announced it would host the inaugural edition of the Lovin Life Music Fest 200 Other events edit The speedway hosts an annual Christmas themed drive thru lights show a tradition that started in 2010 201 In the wake of the COVID 19 pandemic the track hosted high school graduations for 10 high schools within the Cabarrus County area 202 Lap records editAs of May 2023 the fastest official race lap records at the Charlotte Motor Speedway are listed as Category Time Driver Vehicle Date NASCAR Roval Road Course Oval with chicanes 3 669 km 2019 present a 203 204 Trans Am 1 18 188 205 Paul Menard Chevrolet Camaro Trans Am 2022 Charlotte Trans Am round NASCAR Cup 1 21 795 206 A J Allmendinger Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 2022 Bank of America Roval 400 NASCAR Xfinity 1 23 330 207 Ty Gibbs Toyota Supra 2022 Drive for the Cure 250 LM GTE 1 26 655 208 Connor De Phillippi BMW M8 GTE 2020 MOTUL 100 Synthetic Grand Prix GT3 1 27 546 208 Bill Auberlen BMW M6 GT3 2020 MOTUL 100 Synthetic Grand Prix NASCAR Roval Road Course Oval with chicanes 3 669 km 2018 a 203 204 NASCAR Cup 1 18 078 209 Kyle Larson Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 2018 Bank of America Roval 400 NASCAR Xfinity 1 18 869 210 Chase Briscoe Ford Mustang GT 2018 Drive for the Cure 200 Oval 2 414 km 1960 present 203 204 IndyCar 0 24 735 211 Kenny Brack Dallara IR 7 1998 VisionAire 500K NASCAR Cup 0 28 598 212 Jimmie Johnson Chevrolet SS 2017 Coca Cola 600 NASCAR Xfinity 0 29 962 213 Kyle Busch Toyota Supra 2020 Alsco 300 NASCAR Truck 0 30 017 214 Carson Hocevar Chevrolet Silverado 2023 North Carolina Education Lottery 200 Road Course 3 621 km 1971 2014 203 204 LMP900 1 05 524 215 Jan Magnussen Panoz LMP 1 Roadster S 2000 Grand Prix of Charlotte IMSA GTP 1 08 170 216 Bob Wollek Ford Mustang GTP 1984 Charlotte GT 500 Can Am 1 09 443 217 Alan Jones Lola T333CS 1978 Charlotte Trans Am round GT1 GTS 1 10 817 215 Karl Wendlinger Dodge Viper GTS R 2000 Grand Prix of Charlotte IMSA GTO 1 12 756 218 Dennis Aase Toyota Celica 1985 Grand Prix of Charlotte IMSA GTP Lights 1 12 853 219 John Maffucci Argo JM16B 1985 Grand Prix of Charlotte Group 4 1 14 406 220 Peter Gregg Porsche 911 Carrera RSR 1974 Charlotte 300 Trans Am 1 15 046 221 George Follmer Chevrolet Camaro 1981 Charlotte Trans Am round GT 1 15 277 215 Dirk Muller Porsche 911 GT3 R 996 2000 Grand Prix of Charlotte IMSA GTU 1 16 127 218 Chris Cord Toyota Celica 1985 Grand Prix of CharlotteNotes edit a b c d The backstraight chicane was changed in the Roval layout in 2019 despite this the circuit layout length is same References edit Charlotte Motor Speedway ESPN December 13 2018 Archived from the original on January 31 2024 Retrieved January 31 2024 Higgins Tom March 17 1991 Legends race set for Charlotte The Charlotte Observer pp 11B Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 via Newspapers com a b CMS Officials Plan Road Course In Near Future Fort Worth Star Telegram May 15 1970 pp 17D Archived from the original on January 31 2024 Retrieved January 31 2024 via Newspapers com Two Road Races Open 600 Slate Salisbury Post May 16 1971 pp 5D Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved January 31 2024 via Newspapers com New Road Course Opening At CMS The Charlotte Observer May 21 1971 pp 4E Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved January 31 2024 via Newspapers com Myers Bob August 17 1974 Stockers Battle Sports Car Set At The Speedway The Charlotte News pp 1C Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Kiser Jesse February 8 2018 Road Course Speedway Oval Roval NASCAR s New Late Season Road Course The Drive Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 Crandall Kelly June 23 2019 Charlotte announces Roval changes Racer Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 Andrejev Alex January 28 2020 Track plans changes for 2020 season The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 2B Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 via Newspapers com Whisenant David May 19 2017 Traffic to be heavy around Charlotte Motor Speedway for next ten days WBTV Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 3 2024 Hagwood Kayland July 26 2023 It could ve been me Charlotteans express concern about speeding drivers after deadly crash near Charlotte Motor Speedway WCNC TV Archived from the original on July 27 2023 Retrieved February 3 2024 a b Muhleman Max May 8 1959 Million Dollar Race Track To Be Built North Of City The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 2A Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com a b McKee Sandra July 7 1989 Charlotte sets standard for motor speedways Press Enterprise The Washington Post p 23 Archived from the original on August 7 2023 Retrieved August 5 2023 via Newspapers com a b Whisenant David December 12 2015 Charlotte Motor Speedway pulling out 41 000 seats eliminating Diamond Tower Terrace WBTV Archived from the original on February 7 2024 Retrieved February 3 2024 a b Peralta Katherine March 20 2017 NASCAR fans may notice some changes soon at Charlotte Motor Speedway The Charlotte Observer Archived from the original on July 25 2019 Retrieved February 3 2024 Hauser Jeff May 14 2021 Charlotte Motor Speedway to reopen at full capacity for Coca Cola 600 WBT Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 Andrejev Alex June 5 2020 All Star race at Charlotte is in July on updated schedule The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 2B Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com a b Fletman Abbe June 24 1983 Speedway To Go Condo The Charlotte Observer pp 1C 5C Archived from the original on August 7 2023 Retrieved August 4 2023 via Newspapers com a b Fletman Abbe October 9 1983 Living Room Bedrooms And A View Of The Race The Charlotte Observer pp 13B Archived from the original on August 7 2023 Retrieved August 4 2023 via Newspapers com a b Heffner Earl May 25 1984 Speedways In Ancient Rome The Charlotte Observer pp 18A Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 via Newspapers com Charlotte Motor Speedway adding stores under condos The Charlotte News November 26 1984 pp 9A Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 via Newspapers com a b Powell Lew August 25 1987 Puttin On The RITZ High Above The PITS The Charlotte Observer pp 10A 11A Archived from the original on August 8 2023 Retrieved August 5 2023 via Newspapers com Cain Woody July 25 1993 Legends racing Same skills cheaper thrills The Charlotte Observer p 18 Archived from the original on February 3 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com Poole David August 11 1999 Wheeler kicks up dirt again The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 5B Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved January 31 2024 via Newspapers com a b Poole David Utter Jim January 13 2000 Earnhardt not quite ready to put repaired back to test The Charlotte Observer pp 3C Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved January 31 2024 via Newspapers com Scott David May 29 2000 Lighting innovators shine at speedway The Charlotte Observer pp 7D Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved January 31 2024 via Newspapers com a b Bell Adam Poole David August 31 2007 LMS considering adding drag strip The Charlotte Observer pp 10C Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 6 2023 via Newspapers com a b Durhams Sharif September 27 2007 Concord hitting brakes on drag strip plan The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 6B Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 6 2023 via Newspapers com a b Durhams Sharif Poole David October 3 2007 Smith My way or no speedway The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 16A Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 7 2023 via Newspapers com a b Durhams Sharif October 25 2007 Where the street has his name The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 14A Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 7 2023 via Newspapers com a b George Jefferson Bell Adam November 27 2007 We re here forever The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 9A Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 7 2023 via Newspapers com Poole David January 25 2008 New drag strip to provide region vroom to grow The Charlotte Observer pp 1C 8C Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved January 31 2024 via Newspapers com George Jefferson September 11 2008 Revving economic engine The Charlotte Observer pp 1D 2D Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved January 31 2024 via Newspapers com a b c d e f g h i j k Poole David St Onge Peter May 24 2009 A wild ride for everybody The Charlotte Observer pp 13C 14C 15C Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved July 17 2023 via Newspapers com a b c d Mildenburg David October 1 1995 Risk At Every Turn The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 14A 15A Archived from the original on July 16 2023 Retrieved July 4 2023 via Newspapers com Harding Larry June 5 1959 Speedway Elects Bruton Smith VP The Charlotte Observer pp 11B Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Charlotte Speedway To Issue More Stock The Charlotte News December 1 1959 pp 5A Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Muhleman Max April 14 1960 The 600 Sandwich The Charlotte News pp 14A Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Muhleman Max July 28 1959 Turner s Track In Gear Now With Ground Breaking The Charlotte News pp 2B Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved July 16 2023 via Newspapers com Crissman Bob January 24 1960 Track An Earth Moving Project The Charlotte Observer pp 3D Archived from the original on February 4 2024 Retrieved February 3 2024 via Newspapers com Crissman Bob March 18 1960 Driving Flocks Plan 25 000 Mile Marathon The Charlotte Observer pp 12B Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 via Newspapers com Muhleman Max March 26 1960 Battle Of The Bog The Charlotte Observer pp 3A Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 via Newspapers com Cunningham George May 19 1960 Weather Blamed For Delay Of World 600 To June 19 The Charlotte Observer pp 1D Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 via Newspapers com Neill Rolfe June 12 1960 Sugar Daddy The Charlotte Observer pp 2D Archived from the original on February 3 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com Muhleman Max June 10 1960 Speedway Checks Bad Angry Contractor Says The Charlotte News pp 1B 5B Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 via Newspapers com Munn Porter June 10 1960 Speedway Contractor Fuss The Charlotte Observer pp 1B Archived from the original on February 1 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 via Newspapers com Cunningham George June 15 1960 Are Stock Drivers Honest The Charlotte Observer pp 8C Archived from the original on July 16 2023 Retrieved July 16 2023 via Newspapers com Muhleman Max June 20 1960 The Show Won t Be Forgotten The Charlotte News pp 2B Archived from the original on November 12 2023 Retrieved November 12 2023 via Newspapers com Kennedy John W October 7 1979 Concord s Smith Helped Build Charlotte Speedway Rocky Mount Telegram p 39 Archived from the original on July 4 2023 Retrieved July 4 2023 via Newspapers com a b Cunningham George July 17 1960 Speedway s Management To Change The Charlotte Observer pp 1D Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 via Newspapers com Neill Rolfe June 11 1960 Speedway Spokesman Says Current Debts Will Be Paid The Charlotte Observer pp 1B Archived from the original on February 4 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Talbert Bob June 15 1960 600 Officials Take Issue The State pp 4B Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 7 2023 via Newspapers com Cunningham George June 16 1960 130 Plus Speeds Rip Holes In 600 Track The Charlotte Observer pp 7C Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com Muhleman Max June 16 1960 Speedway Big Test Big Problem The Charlotte News pp 4B Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com Cunningham George June 17 1960 Roberts Who Else Wins Pole Position The Charlotte Observer pp 1D 5D Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com Clark Ken June 18 1960 Speedway Sued Race Still On The Charlotte Observer pp 1A Archived from the original on February 3 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com Helms Herman June 20 1960 Demolition Derby Takes Heavy Toll On Big Field The Charlotte Observer pp 4B Archived from the original on February 3 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com Muhleman Max July 19 1960 Repair Job Begins The Charlotte News pp 4B Archived from the original on February 3 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com Muhleman Max July 18 1960 Turner Smith Call Rumor Wishful Thinking The Charlotte News pp 3B Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 via Newspapers com Munn Porter July 1 1960 Turner Others Are Facing Claim The Charlotte Observer pp 10A Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Claiborne Jack August 19 1960 Speedway President Disputes Tax Claim The Charlotte Observer pp 13A Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Neill Rolfe September 8 1960 Speedway Fee Disputed By Turner Smith The Charlotte Observer pp 4A Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Speedway Contractor Now Settled Repaving Begins The Charlotte News August 5 1960 pp 9A Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Neill Rolfe November 22 1960 Speedway Planning New Issue The Charlotte Observer pp 17A Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com 2 Suits Filed Against Motor Speedway Here The Charlotte Observer January 22 1961 pp 16A Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Cunningham George February 2 1961 Skins Want Money Friday The Charlotte Observer pp 5B Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Kelley Whitey February 12 1961 Marshall Must Give A Little The Charlotte Observer pp 5D Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com 138 155 Suit Filed In Cabarrus Court Against Speedway The Charlotte Observer March 1 1961 pp 7B Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Murleman Max June 9 1961 Foreclosure Threat Led To Quittings The Charlotte News pp 2B Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 7 2023 via Newspapers com Muhleman Max June 15 1961 Ellington This Is No Time To Comment The Charlotte News pp 1B 4B Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Cunningham George July 13 1961 CMS Betting At Races Sought By Turner The Charlotte Observer pp 8B 9B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Cunningham George August 31 1961 CMS Life Hinges On 400 World 600 Grossed 398 042 The Charlotte Observer pp 5B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Cunningham George October 2 1961 Creditors Crack Down On Track The Charlotte Observer pp 1B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Shinn Jerry October 28 1961 No Miracle Yet For Speedway The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 4B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Hughes Bill October 4 1961 Bruton Smith Offers Proposal To Save Track The Charlotte News pp 1C Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com McElheny Victor K October 29 1961 Raceway Auction Delayed The Charlotte Observer pp 1C Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Hughes Bill November 3 1961 Judge Puts Off Speedway Sale The Charlotte News pp 1A 6A Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Martin Gerald February 2 1976 Track s New Owner Has Costly Dream The News amp Observer p 18 Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 7 2023 via Newspapers com Munn Porter November 4 1961 Speedway Trustee Is Named The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 12B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Hughes Bill November 15 1961 NC Financier Offers To Save Speedway The Charlotte News pp 1A Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 Hughes Bill December 8 1961 650 000 Offered To Ailing Raceway The Charlotte News pp 1A 5A Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 Hughes Bill December 9 1961 Speedway Gets Stay Race Okay The Charlotte News pp 1A 6A Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 Hughes Bill January 4 1962 U S Judge Tells Speedway To Act Or Quit Business The Charlotte News pp 1B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com Hughes Bill January 24 1962 Race Track Stockholders Asked For Faith Money The Charlotte News pp 8A Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 Track Needs 50 000 More The Charlotte News February 19 1962 pp 6A Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 Hughes Bill February 23 1962 Track Sets Do Or Die Stockholders Meeting The Charlotte News pp 8B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 7 2024 Munn Porter February 25 1962 Speedway Goal Of 300 000 Is Met In Time The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 6B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Cunningham George March 21 1962 Cross Loan Not Acceptable The Charlotte Observer pp 4B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Munn Porter May 19 1962 Judge Orders 111 Questioned On Speedway The Charlotte Observer pp 1B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Munn Porter July 6 1962 Judge Track Can Be Saved The Charlotte Observer pp 4A Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Munn Porter July 6 1962 Track Wrongs Hinted The Charlotte Observer pp 1B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Munn Porter July 7 1962 Judge Probe Speedway If The Charlotte Observer pp 1B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Murphy Harry July 18 1962 Speedway Hearing Scheduled Nov 5 The Charlotte News pp 7B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Hughes Bill October 20 1962 No Strings Loan To Let Speedway Pay Off Debts The Charlotte News pp 1B 12B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Speedway Plan Ballots Will Be Sent The Charlotte Observer November 29 1962 pp 1C Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Speedway Granted More Voting Time The Charlotte News December 21 1962 pp 4A Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Munn Porter January 4 1963 Speedway In Trouble Again Creditors Foil Reorganization The Charlotte Observer pp 8A Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Munn Porter January 5 1963 Creditors Okay Reorganization Of Racetrack The Charlotte Observer pp 1B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Hughes Bill January 5 1963 Court Confirms Speedway s Plan The Charlotte News pp 1B 12B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Speedway s Debts Cut By 740 376 The Charlotte Observer April 2 1963 pp 5B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Hughes Bill April 15 1963 Goines To Head Raceway The Charlotte News pp 1B 9B Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Wildman John November 28 1990 Smith Rode Love Of Cars To The Top The Charlotte Observer pp 10A Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 7 2023 via Newspapers com a b Covington Roy February 3 1974 After 9 Years The Boos Changed To Votes The Charlotte Observer pp 6D Archived from the original on July 7 2023 Retrieved July 6 2023 via Newspapers com Hughes Bill December 4 1963 Speedway Board Declares Dividend The Charlotte News pp 17A Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Charlotte Motor Speedway In The Black Now The Charlotte News February 11 1964 pp 43C Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Speedway Tabs Richard Howard As Acting GM The Charlotte Observer April 16 1964 pp 28A Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Death Of Roberts Stuns Racing The Charlotte News July 2 1964 pp 6A Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Lloyd Harry October 18 1965 Kite Survived Wars Died At High Speed The Charlotte Observer pp 10A 14A Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Myers Bob June 10 1967 The Burning Of The Mortgage The Charlotte News pp 4A Archived from the original on February 7 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com a b Myers Bob October 8 1975 Track Needs Howard The Charlotte News pp 1C 4C Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 6 2023 via Newspapers com Speedway Acquires Rightway The Charlotte Observer September 22 1965 pp 1D 4D Archived from the original on February 7 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Myers Bob January 14 1970 Assessment By IRS Cuts Into Profits Of Speedway The Charlotte News pp 14B Archived from the original on February 7 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Myers Bob January 7 1972 Speedway s Year Most Profitable The Charlotte News pp 12A Archived from the original on February 7 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Covington Roy February 3 1974 After 9 Years The Boos Changed To Votes The Charlotte Observer pp 6D Archived from the original on July 7 2023 Retrieved July 6 2023 via Newspapers com Myers Bob May 26 1973 Bruton Smith s Return The Charlotte News pp 9A Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 6 2023 via Newspapers com Covington Roy January 31 1974 Speedway Election In Doubt The Charlotte Observer pp 1C Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Covington Roy February 1 1974 Deposed Speedway Official Regains Spot On Board The Charlotte Observer pp 20A Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Laye Leonard May 2 1974 Speedway Expansion To Cost 2 Million The Charlotte News pp 1B 3B Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Moore Bob January 31 1975 Howard Group Regains CMS Control The Charlotte Observer pp 1D 3D Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Myers Bob February 1 1975 The Speedway Shootout The Charlotte News pp 7A 8A Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 6 2023 via Newspapers com Covington Roy October 12 1975 Bruton Smith Simply Outran Speedway s Richard Howard The Charlotte Observer pp 9B Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Ervin s Wheeler Takes Position at Speedway The Charlotte News Associated Press August 29 1975 pp 4C Archived from the original on August 2 2023 Retrieved July 31 2023 via Newspapers com Mulhurn Mike October 2 1975 Howard s Charlotte Reign Appears Over Winston Salem Journal p 63 Archived from the original on August 2 2023 Retrieved July 31 2023 via Newspapers com Hunter Jim October 5 1975 National 500 Race Last for Howard The Atlanta Constitution pp 10D Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 6 2023 via Newspapers com Myers Bob October 7 1975 Howard Report Called Premature The Charlotte News pp 1B 3B Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Mulhurn Mike October 23 1975 Car Builders May Challenge France s Rule Winston Salem Journal p 53 Archived from the original on July 7 2023 Retrieved July 6 2023 via Newspapers com Myers Bob January 31 1976 Wheeler Speedway s New Dealer The Charlotte News pp 1B Archived from the original on July 9 2023 Retrieved July 6 2023 via Newspapers com Myers Bob May 22 1976 Speedway Getting Major Face Lift The Charlotte News pp 1B 3B Archived from the original on August 2 2023 Retrieved August 1 2023 via Newspapers com King Randy May 27 1990 Call him Humpy the Wheeler dealer The Roanoke Times pp B1 B8 B9 Archived from the original on July 26 2023 Retrieved July 24 2023 via Newspapers com Nixon Kathy January 18 1987 Message Hang In There The Charlotte Observer p 192 Archived from the original on August 2 2023 Retrieved August 2 2023 via Newspapers com Mulhurn Mike October 6 1977 Pearson Edges Allison Winston Salem Journal pp 51 58 Archived from the original on August 7 2023 Retrieved August 5 2023 via Newspapers com Hinkle Jane February 7 1980 Motor Speedway moving soon to new headquarters The Charlotte News pp 9A Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Higgins Tom Lohwasser Don March 12 1985 Speedway plans to develop stadium The Charlotte News pp 1C Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com a b Lohwasser Don March 14 1985 Speedway Would Build Not Pay For Stadium The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 4B Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Claiborne Jack December 9 1959 New Grid Stadium Promised The Charlotte Observer pp 10A Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 5 2024 via Newspapers com a b nascarman September 15 2016 Football at Charlotte Motor Speedway Racing Reference Archived from the original on February 4 2018 Retrieved February 4 2024 Lohwasser Don March 17 1985 Smith Shinn Share Football Goals Not Methods The Charlotte Observer pp 8B Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Sorenson Tom October 19 1987 NFL Talk Is Not A Laughing Matter The Charlotte Observer pp 1B Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Mulhurn Mike October 16 1991 PRIME TIME The Winston Will Be Held Under Lights Winston Salem Journal p 41 Archived from the original on August 8 2023 Retrieved August 4 2023 via Newspapers com Higgins Tom April 16 1992 Speedway test is ablaze in glory The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 2B Archived from the original on July 9 2023 Retrieved July 8 2023 via Newspapers com Green Jr Ron May 22 1994 Indy folks drop in on speedway The Charlotte Observer pp 12G Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Postman Lore February 10 1999 Lowe s raises its stake in racing The Charlotte Observer pp 1D 6D Archived from the original on August 7 2023 Retrieved August 5 2023 via Newspapers com Cooper Ray January 17 1989 Sportsman Division to debut in Charlotte News amp Record pp B4 B7 Archived from the original on August 2 2023 Retrieved August 1 2023 via Newspapers com Mulhurn Mike May 17 1990 Driver Dies in Speedway Accident Winston Salem Journal pp 34 37 Archived from the original on August 2 2023 Retrieved August 1 2023 via Newspapers com Chandler Charles May 17 1992 Car s path ends again in Charlotte The Charlotte Observer pp 9C Archived from the original on August 2 2023 Retrieved August 1 2023 via Newspapers com Clarke Liz Higgins Tom October 7 1995 Tragedy at the race track The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 8A Archived from the original on August 2 2023 Retrieved August 1 2023 via Newspapers com a b nascarman October 6 2016 The History of the NASCAR Sportsman Division Racing Reference Archived from the original on December 31 2016 Retrieved August 1 2023 Green Jr Ron November 29 1995 Speedway will pass on Sportsman races The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 2B Archived from the original on August 2 2023 Retrieved August 1 2023 via Newspapers com a b Green Jr Ron May 2 1999 3 race fans killed 8 hurt by flying tire debris The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 18A Archived from the original on July 28 2023 Retrieved July 26 2023 via Newspapers com Alexander Ames Chandler Liz Cimino Karen Dodd Scott Frazier Eric Henderson Bruce Johnson Mark Moore Robert F Paynter Marion St Onge Courtney May 22 2000 Corroded cables draw investigator s attention The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 6A Archived from the original on July 28 2023 Retrieved July 27 2023 via Newspapers com Whitmare Tim March 21 2003 Couple awarded 4 million The Herald Sun Associated Press pp B8 Archived from the original on July 31 2023 Retrieved July 30 2023 via Newspapers com Marusak Joe March 16 2018 Bridge collapse revives memories of horrible night at Charlotte speedway The Charlotte Observer pp 1A Archived from the original on July 31 2023 Retrieved July 30 2023 via Newspapers com Poole David Utter Him Wolken Dan October 5 2001 ARCA race ends with death The Charlotte Observer pp 1C 6C Archived from the original on February 8 2024 Retrieved February 7 2024 via Newspapers com Utter Jim October 10 2002 Race driver killed in speedway wreck The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 9A Archived from the original on February 8 2024 Retrieved February 7 2024 via Newspapers com Poole David March 12 2005 Wheeler Smoothing of track finished The Charlotte Observer pp 5C Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Newton David October 14 2005 Magical Humpy The State pp C3 C12 Archived from the original on August 7 2023 Retrieved August 5 2023 via Newspapers com Newton David July 12 2011 NASCAR Five embarrassing moments ESPN Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 Durhams Sharif September 29 2007 Work continues at drag strip site The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 6B Archived from the original on July 7 2023 Retrieved July 7 2023 via Newspapers com Durhams Sharif October 2 2007 Council orders halt to work on drag strip The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 2B Archived from the original on July 8 2023 Retrieved July 7 2023 via Newspapers com Zeller Bob October 13 1991 Speedway owner lives in fast lane News amp Record pp C1 C2 Archived from the original on July 4 2023 Retrieved July 4 2023 via Newspapers com Utter Jim May 19 2010 Wheeler Increasing secrecy led to his exit The Charlotte Observer pp 7C Archived from the original on July 31 2023 Retrieved July 30 2023 via Newspapers com a b Poole David May 21 2008 Checkered Flag For Humpy The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 8A Archived from the original on July 31 2023 Retrieved July 30 2023 via Newspapers com Newton David May 21 2008 Humpy Wheeler kicked out before his time was really up ESPN Archived from the original on July 31 2023 Retrieved July 30 2023 Bonkowski Jerry May 21 2008 Humpy s sad farewell Yahoo Sports Archived from the original on July 31 2023 Retrieved July 30 2023 Poole David May 29 2008 Smith picks son to lead speedway firm The Charlotte Observer pp 1D 2D Archived from the original on January 8 2024 Retrieved January 7 2024 via Newspapers com Valle Kirsten August 7 2009 Concord track will be renamed but what The Charlotte Observer pp 1D 4D Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 12 2024 via Newspapers com Janes Theoden August 13 2017 The true story behind the fictional movie about the Charlotte Motor Speedway heist The Charlotte Observer pp 1C 2C Archived from the original on February 4 2024 Retrieved February 3 2024 via Newspapers com Spanberg Erik September 13 2019 How he s building Charlotte Motor Speedway for the future Charlotte Business Journal Retrieved February 2 2024 a b Davison Drew October 1 2020 Texas Motor Speedway to host NASCAR All Star Race in 2021 Fort Worth Star Telegram pp 1B 3B Archived from the original on January 19 2024 Retrieved January 19 2024 via Newspapers com Fowler Scott May 11 2011 Speedway s hi def TV a def must see The Charlotte Observer pp 1C 2C Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 12 2024 via Newspapers com Person Joesph May 24 2015 Charlotte adding safety measures The Charlotte Observer pp 8B Archived from the original on February 4 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Ackley J A April 19 2023 Plans for a new road course at Charlotte Motor Speedway Grassroots Motorsports Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 Crissman Bob August 23 1959 Turner Visualizes World 600 Race The Charlotte Observer pp 8D Archived from the original on February 3 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com Einstein Tom September 17 1959 Lee Petty Shrugs Off 500 Showing Has Big Week News amp Record pp B11 Archived from the original on February 3 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com May 29 Scheduled For Speedway Opener The Charlotte Observer September 23 1959 pp 5B Archived from the original on February 3 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com Einstein Tom June 19 1960 Grueling World 600 Set At Charlotte Speedway Today News amp Record pp B2 B5 Archived from the original on February 3 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com Cunningham George June 19 1960 600 Reality Today If Track Holds The Charlotte Observer pp 1B 6B Archived from the original on February 3 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 via Newspapers com Lipowski Joshua May 22 2023 NASCAR s Crown Jewel Events What Are They and Which Ones Can be Added The Daily Downforce Archived from the original on February 3 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 Martin Ken May 27 2021 How the Coca Cola 600 became a crown jewel event for NASCAR NASCAR Archived from the original on February 3 2024 Retrieved February 2 2024 Cunningham George June 29 1960 Speedway Slates October 400 Miler The Charlotte Observer pp 4B Archived from the original on February 4 2024 Retrieved February 3 2024 via Newspapers com Moore Bob December 19 1965 National 400 Race Goes To 500 Miles The Charlotte Observer pp 1D 4D Archived from the original on February 4 2024 Retrieved February 3 2024 via Newspapers com Utter Jim July 4 2018 NASCAR Cup race on Charlotte Roval to see length reduced Motorsport com Archived from the original on July 5 2018 Retrieved July 8 2018 Fryer Jenna October 4 2018 Roval a smashing success for all except Johnson Austin American Statesman Associated Press Archived from the original on January 8 2024 Retrieved January 7 2024 Back to the Future New venues return of familiar locations highlight 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series NASCAR Camping World Truck Series slates NASCAR September 29 2021 Retrieved May 27 2022 a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a CS1 maint url status link Higgins Tom January 15 1985 Charlotte To Host 500 000 Race The Charlotte Observer pp 3B 4B Archived from the original on August 7 2023 Retrieved August 5 2023 via Newspapers com Pearce Al May 18 2023 NASCAR All Star Race Format History And What s Right And Wrong With All Star Concept Autoweek Archived from the original on February 4 2024 Retrieved February 3 2024 Armstrong Megan June 15 2020 2020 NASCAR All Star Race Moved to Bristol Motor Speedway 30K Fans Permitted Bleacher Report Archived from the original on February 4 2024 Retrieved February 3 2024 Miller Robin December 27 1979 USAC Announces 1980 Schedule The Indianapolis Star p 31 Retrieved June 29 2016 via Newspapers com Champ Race Cancelled The Charlotte Observer April 23 1980 pp 4B Archived from the original on February 4 2024 Retrieved February 3 2024 via Newspapers com Bonnell Rick December 15 1996 Charlotte to stage IRL race on July 26 The Charlotte Observer pp 1G Archived from the original on August 7 2023 Retrieved August 5 2023 via Newspapers com Utter Jim April 2 2000 Panoz makes run at BMW The Charlotte Observer pp 11H Archived from the original on February 6 2024 Retrieved February 6 2024 via Newspapers com Ryan Nate October 10 2020 Corvette duo of Antonio Garcia and Jordan Taylor win again at Charlotte Roval NBC Sports Archived from the original on February 7 2024 Retrieved February 7 2024 Eichel Henry August 11 1974 Thousands Jam Rock Fest The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 12A Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 via Newspapers com Domecq Cailyn March 7 2022 Woodstock part 2 Fans remember massive rock concert at Charlotte Motor Speedway The Charlotte Observer UNC Media Hub Retrieved February 1 2024 Sifford Darrell August 15 1974 Rock Violence The Charlotte Observer pp 1A 6A Archived from the original on February 5 2024 Retrieved February 4 2024 via Newspapers com Hahne Jeff February 1 2013 Carolina Rebellion music festival announces 2013 lineup Creative Loafing Charlotte Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 Epicenter Festival To Replace Carolina Rebellion In 2019 The PRP November 30 2018 Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 Desmond Colin October 4 2021 FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS Breakaway Charlotte 2021 Lights Up the Speedway Tuned Magazine Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 Korynta Emma January 18 2024 Breakaway Presents Another World coming to the Charlotte Motor Speedway WCNC TV Archived from the original on April 27 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 Blackmon Chyna January 25 2024 1 weekend 3 music festivals How will Lovin Life Music Fest in Charlotte compare The Charlotte Observer Archived from the original on April 27 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 Marusak Joe September 17 2010 Christmas lights to shine at speedway The Charlotte Observer pp 10A 11A Archived from the original on January 12 2024 Retrieved January 12 2024 via Newspapers com Graduations Held at Charlotte Motor Speedway Spectrum News 1 North Carolina June 13 2020 Archived from the original on February 2 2024 Retrieved February 1 2024 a b c d Charlotte Motor Speedway Racing Circuits Racingcircuits info Archived from the original on March 29 2024 Retrieved March 16 2024 a b c d Charlotte Motorsport Database Archived from the original on May 19 2022 Retrieved March 16 2024 Trans Am Series Presented by Pirelli March 17 20 2022 Charlotte Motor Speedway TA XGT SGT GT Round 2 Official TA GT Race Results PDF March 20 2022 Archived PDF from the original on January 5 2024 Retrieved March 16 2024 NASCAR Cup 2022 Bank of America Roval 400 Race Statistics October 9 2022 Archived from the original on December 7 2023 Retrieved March 16 2024 NASCAR Xfinity 2022 Bank of America Drive for the Cure 250 Race Statistics October 8 2022 Archived from the original on September 20 2023 Retrieved March 16 2024 a b 2020 MOTUL 100 Synthetic Grand Prix Race Official Results 1 Hours 40 Minutes PDF International Motor Sports Association IMSA October 11 2020 Archived PDF from the original on April 20 2024 Retrieved March 16 2024 NASCAR Cup 2018 Charlotte II Fastest Laps September 30 2018 Archived from the original on May 29 2022 Retrieved March 16 2024 NASCAR XFINITY 2018 Charlotte II Fastest Laps September 29 2018 Archived from the original on May 29 2022 Retrieved March 16 2024 1998 VisionAire 500K July 25 1998 Archived from the original on May 19 2022 Retrieved March 16 2024 NASCAR Cup 2017 Charlotte Fastest Laps May 28 2017 Archived from the original on May 29 2022 Retrieved March 16 2024 NASCAR XFINITY 2020 Charlotte Fastest Laps May 25 2020 Archived from the original on May 29 2022 Retrieved March 16 2024 2023 North Carolina Education Lottery 200 Race Statistics May 26 2023 Archived from the original on March 16 2024 Retrieved March 16 2024 a b c 2000 Grand Prix of Charlotte April 1 2000 Archived from the original on December 11 2021 Retrieved March 16 2024 Charlotte 500 Kilometres 1984 May 20 1984 Archived from the original on May 19 2022 Retrieved March 16 2024 Can Am Charlotte 1978 May 28 1978 Archived from the original on May 19 2022 Retrieved March 16 2024 a b Charlotte 300 Kilometres IMSA GTO 1985 May 19 1985 Archived from the original on May 19 2022 Retrieved March 16 2024 Charlotte 500 Kilometres 1985 May 19 1985 Archived from the original on May 19 2022 Retrieved March 16 2024 Charlotte 300 Miles 1974 May 18 1974 Archived from the original on May 19 2022 Retrieved March 16 2024 Trans Am Charlotte 1981 May 17 1981 Archived from the original on May 19 2022 Retrieved March 16 2024 External links edit nbsp Wikimedia Commons has media related to Charlotte Motor Speedway Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Charlotte Motor Speedway amp oldid 1222457554, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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