Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a prominent motorsports complex located in Concord, North Carolina, just outside Charlotte. Opened in 1960, it is renowned for hosting a variety of high-profile racing events, including NASCAR’s prestigious Coca-Cola 600, the NASCAR All-Star Race, and the Bank of America Roval 400. With its rich history and significant contributions to motorsports, Charlotte Motor Speedway stands as a key venue in American racing culture.
History
Charlotte Motor Speedway, a renowned motorsports complex in Concord, North Carolina, has a rich history dating back to the late 1950s. The vision for this state-of-the-art facility began with racing promoter Bruton Smith and driver/businessman Curtis Turner, both of whom aicreate a premier racing venue. Construction broke ground on July 28, 1959, and the speedway officially opened on June 15, 1960, with an initial construction cost of $2 million USD.
Despite the initial excitement, the early years were financially challenging. By December 1963, the speedway’s president, Goines, announced a 10% stock dividend and optimistically declared, “We’ve taken some bitter medicine, but the patient has been saved.” This statement highlighted the struggles the facility faced, but also underscored its recovery and potential. The turnaround was evident by February 1964, when the track reported a profit for the first time.
Over the years, Charlotte Motor Speedway has hosted numerous major events, solidifying its status as a key venue in American motorsports. Notable events include the Coca-Cola 600, a NASCAR Cup Series race that has been held annually since the track’s opening in 1960. The speedway’s ownership transitioned to Speedway Motorsports in 1974 and then again in 1976, where it has remained under their stewardship ever since.
About the Track
Charlotte Motor Speedway, located in Concord, North Carolina, is a premier motorsports facility with a rich history and state-of-the-art features. The main track is a 1.5-mile (2.414 km) quad-oval with a surface of asphalt, 24-degree banking in the turns, and five-degree banking on the frontstretch and backstretch. Since its opening in 1960, it has been a key venue for NASCAR and other major racing events.
The speedway has undergone several modifications and expansions over the years. In addition to the main quad-oval track, there is the NASCAR Road Course, known as the “Roval,” which was introduced in 2018. This 2.28-mile (3.669 km) course features 17 turns and utilizes portions of the oval track combined with an infield road course. The Roval configuration has hosted notable races, with lap records set by Kyle Larson in 2018 and Paul Menard in 2022.
Adjacent to the main speedway, the complex includes several other tracks. In 1993, a 1/5 mile (0.32 km) clay short track was built, and in 1999, a 3/8 mile (0.60 km) dirt track was constructed, later modified to a 2/5 mile (0.64 km) track by January 2000. This dirt track, with a capacity of 15,000 and a lighting system, held its first races on May 28, 2000.
Within the frontstretch of the main track, there is a 1/4 mile (0.40 km) oval, built in 1991, primarily used for legends car racing. The speedway’s seating capacity has fluctuated over the years, peaking at over 170,000 in the 1990s and 2000s, and currently accommodating 95,000 spectators as of 2021.