Outside the Track: Charlotte

After a very wet North Wilkesboro weekend, we head not far down the road for one of NASCAR’s biggest race weekends. Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of my favorite racetracks. I’ve been going to races there for about 20 years and it never gets old.

I will admit, there is something just a little bit extra special about the Coca-Cola 600 weekend – the patriotic paint schemes on the cars, all the pre-race hype on the fronstretch, the fans cheering during the flyovers. You just have to experience it to understand. It should be on the bucket list of every NASCAR fan. If you have never been to a race at Charlotte, what are you waiting for?!

If you won’t be in attendance this weekend, make sure to check out our social media platforms over the weekend. A few of our staff will be at the races so make sure to be on the watch for some fun content from the track!

ATTRACTIONS

• If you are coming into town earlier in the week, there are plenty of things to checkout to fill your time. It’s exciting to see so many teams bring back Fan Days before the race weekend.
  • Thursday, you can check out Jr Motorsports, Stewart-Haas Racing, Front Row Motorsports, Spire Motorsports and JTG Daugherty Racing
  • On Friday, head to Hendrick Motorsports and RFK Racing
  • Be sure to check out each teams website or social media for times and detailed information. Fan Days are a great way to meet drivers, score autographs, and get freebies from sponsors!
• If you are looking for a bit of adrenaline of your own, check out the US Whitewater Center in Charlotte. All ages can enjoy a wide variety of activities with a day pass to the recreation grounds.

  

  Some of the activities included are Whitewater rafting, kayaking, mountain biking, ziplines and rope courses.

• If you are looking to slow your pace and want to visit something one-of-a-kind, The Billy Graham Library is a wonderful option. The Library sits on 20 acres where you can experience and discover the life of the man called “America’s Pastor”. Visit the restored home he grew up in, the over 40,000 square foot barn that houses the journey of his life and memorabilia, and also his burial site. The grounds are open Monday-Saturday with free parking and admission.
• If you are a college baseball fan like myself, the ACC baseball tournament is being played at Truist Field in downtown Charlotte this week! You can buy tickets to individual games or group packages.

  

  RESTAURANTS

• Village Corner Comfort Kitchen & Bar in Concord is a great option for any meal. The chicken and waffles come highly recommended and they are on the menu all day! The blackened salmon is another good option if you go for dinner.
• The Percantile and Creamery is located right down the road from the racetrack past Concord Mills Shopping Mall. If you want to fuel up on coffee or grab a sweet treat this is a nice place to get it.

  

  They have cookies, brownies and ice cream in addition to a large coffee menu.

• Duckworth’s Grill and Taphouse is a favorite of many people I know and there are numerous locations around the Charlotte area. When I say you really can’t go wrong with anything on the menu, I mean it. I will pass along that the Margherita Chicken Flatbread is a real winner!
• If you really want to splurge, check out Chugar Frappe in Matthews. This is a must visit place for me when I am in town. They make the best frappes and desserts. Who wouldn’t want mini dessert pancakes after dinner?

  

  My go to is definitely the Chocolover Frappe! You can thank me later.

What are your Charlotte Motor Speedway stops outside the track?