Charlotte Motor Speedway Insider Tips

Charlotte Motor Speedway is truly “where racing lives” just like their slogan says and the freshly repaved track is making for great racing. Drivers live here and this track is one where some great race memories have (and will) be made. October’s race is a beautiful time of year to visit this area. Memorial Day Weekend and the Coca-Cola 600 also includes the 600 festival in downtown Charlotte. Good concerts, driver appearances, interactive exhibits and even a kid friendly area. Of course for now CMS also hosts the All Star Race in May the weekend prior to the 600 and that is probably the best pre-race show of the entire season. The All Star is a fun race to follow, even for first time fans.

Getting There Race Day:
 

• Tip: Stay at a hotel in south Charlotte’s Pineville/Matthews area and come in to LMS via the I-485 beltway. While this is about 30 miles from the track it is typically the least traveled route on race day. Take I-485 east to exit 32, Hwy 29 turn right on 29. Exit the track via this same route after the race.
• Better tip: Book your hotel via vroomz.com select the CMS upcoming race then select ‘reservation with transportation’. You will travel via luxury motorcoach to/from the track and your hotel on race day leaving all the traffic, parking and designated driver headaches to someone else.
• Arrive at the track early and use the extra time to tailgate, visit displays, souvenir row and enjoy pre-race activities. Many major vendors have interactive displays, driver appearances etc. and these are open only prior to the race (not after). CMS always puts on a good pre-race show. If possible, plan your trip to arrive at least a couple hours before the race is scheduled to begin.
• Turn to 96.9 FM for up-to-the-minute traffic reports and good country music. They broadcast right from the track on race day.
• I-85 and exit 49 (Bruton Smith Blvd.) is usually the most congested on event days. If possible, try to avoid exit 49 and Bruton Smith Blvd. Good alternates are Hwy 29 from both the North and the South and Hwy 49 to Morehead Road.

Disclaimer: The North Carolina Department of Transportation and will have various traffic patterns in place for incoming and outgoing traffic. Please follow their directions. Sometimes you'll have to "turn right to go left!" All traffic patterns will eventually lead you back to I-85, I-77 and other major highways. Use maps to make yourself familiar with local roads and alternate routes. Keep in mind that traffic accidents can also slow traffic even further, plan ahead to arrive early!

Come Early and Stay Late:

Charlotte will be home to the NASCAR Hall of Fame beginning in 2010 but there is a lot to see here for race fans all year long:

Race Shop Tours: Cabarrus County is home to nearly every major race team including Hendrick Motorsports, Rousch Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Dale Earnhardt, Inc., and as you might expect, they even have the ‘Dale Trail’.  Visit the Cabarrus County website for a complete listing of shops, tours and all things motorsports. Petty Enterprises is located in Randleman, NC about an hour north of Charlotte.

Race Family Fun: Concord Mills Mall is on Bruton Smith Boulevard (I-77 exit 49) and it features NASCAR SpeedPark has 6 tracks, simulators, climbing wall and pretty much something for everyone. There are other great family eateries with entertainment including Dave and Busters.  Race fans of all ages also love the Sam Bass Gallery, located on property just adjacent to CMS.

Atlanta Motor Speedway Insider Tips

Atlanta Motor Speedway is the fastest track in racing (no, not Talladega or Daytona because of restrictor plates). This is a great track for even first time race fans and you’ll see them hit 190 around this 1.5 mile quad-oval.

Getting There Race Day

We won’t kid you here, getting in and out of AMS has not always been the easiest but it is well worth the trip. There aren’t any secret back road routes that aren’t just as busy as the main route. The good news is a new four-lane highway has just opened to connect the track and I-75 so visit the speedway’s site for the best directions.

As always getting there good an early is your best bet. AMS is a great for tailgating and you’ll find lots of good vendors to visit around the main track entrance off Speedway Blvd.

TIP: Don’t let staying in or near downtown Atlanta intimidate you. AMS is only 30 miles from Atlanta per se, and airport area is just as close. You will pay much less for hotels if you avoid the immediate Hampton and Stockbridge areas, and the drive isn’t that much longer. There are many things to do in Atlanta! The World of Coke, Georgia Aquarium and CNN World Headquarters are all in downtown Atlanta. For the Sports Fan - Georgia Dome, Atlanta Braves and Philips Arena (home to the NHL Atlanta Thrashers) are all nearby.

As always vroomz.com will give you great hotel deals and you can find hotels with shuttle to/from your hotel and the track too.