Lowe's Motor Speedway
Lowe's gets the All-Star Race, Coca-Cola 600 and Bank of America 500. (Rusty Jarrett/Getty Images)
Complete ESPN SportsTravel NASCAR Guide | 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule
Overview
If you want to have one of the best experiences on the NASCAR circuit, come to Charlotte, N.C., and see the last of three races at Lowe's Motor Speedway this year as the track celebrates 50 years of racing.
This is NASCAR country. Almost all of the teams are based within 50 miles of the famed 1.5-mile track, so every race here is for local bragging rights, and it shows.
The NASCAR Banking 500 on Saturday completes a trifecta of races here this year. (The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race took place May 16 and the 50th running of the Coca-Cola 600 was staged over Memorial Day weekend.)
A number of NASCAR's greatest drivers have hoisted the trophy at Lowe's Motor Speedway, including legends Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, Richard Petty, Dale Earnhardt and Buddy Baker. In more recent years, drivers Bobby Labonte, Matt Kenseth and Jeff Gordon have scored their first career NASCAR Sprint Cup wins at Lowe's Motor Speedway.
The track north of Charlotte is one of the finest on the circuit, with suites and amenities that set the standard in the sport.
Address
5555 Concord Parkway South
Concord, N.C. 28027
lowesmotorspeedway.com
More track news available through jayski.com.
City Guide: Charlotte
Notable Events
Thursday, Oct. 15, 2009
Bojangles' Pole Night
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Gates open at 2:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 16, 2009
Dollar General 300, 8 p.m.
NASCAR Nationwide Series
Gates open at 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 17, 2009
NASCAR Banking 500, 7:25 p.m.
NASCAR Sprint Cup Series
Gates open at 2 p.m.
Tickets
Ticket office: 800-455-FANS
Online: Buy tickets | Seating chart
Pit passes: Available. Call the track ticket office for further information.
Fan hospitality: Call the track ticket office for further information.
Special packages: Different options available; call ticket office for details.
Track Specs
Track length: 1.5 miles
Banking: Corners — 24 degrees; straights — 5 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,980
Backstretch: 1,500
Race length: 600 miles, 500 miles
Grandstand seating capacity: 140,000
Opened: 1960
Carry-In Items
Coolers: Allowed (14"x14"x14" limit).
Glass containers: Not allowed.
Alcoholic beverages: Allowed.
Cameras/recording devices: Allowed.
Souvenirs and Displays
Merchandise: Driver and NASCAR merchandise haulers on-site.
Scanners: Scanners available for rent on-site.
Gift shop: Located at the speedway.
Autographs
Check local newspapers and TV; drivers rarely available on race day.
Pit Area Guidelines
Shirts: Required, must cover shoulder area.
Shoes: Required; no open-toe shoes allowed.
Shorts/capri pants: Not allowed.
Alcoholic beverages: Not allowed.
Camping
RV Reserved: Available.
Reserved: Available.
Call the track ticket office for further information.
Associated Driving Schools
Richard Petty Driving Experience
800-BE-PETTY
Web site
Fast Track High Performance Driving School
704-455-1700
Web site
Jeff Gordon Racing School
877-4-Jeff-24
Web site
Legends Driving School
704-455-3240
Web site
Dale Jarrett Driving Adventure
888-467-2231
Web site
SpeedTech Auto Racing School
877-807-7333
Web site
Buck Baker Driving School
704-366-6224
Web site
Getting There
• From the east:
Take Highway 64 to Asheboro and Highway 49 South to Harrisburg.
Follow the signs from Harrisburg to the speedway.
Turn right on Morehead Road.
Or take Highway 73 from Albemarle to Highway 49.
Take Highway 49 South to Harrisburg.
Turn right on Morehead Road (at Circle K store).
• From the north/northeast:
Take I-85 South to exit 58 (Highways 29 & 601).
Take Highway 29 South to the speedway.
Or take I-85 South to exit 55 (Highway 73).
Take Highway 73 East to Highway 29. Take Highway 29 South to track.
Or take I-85 South to exit 52 (Poplar Tent Road).
Turn left on Poplar Tent Road and follow the signs to the speedway.
Or take I-85 South to exit 49 (Speedway Boulevard).
Follow the signs to the speedway.
Or take I-77 South to exit 25 (Highway 73).
Take Highway 73 East to Highway 29 South to the speedway.
• From the west/southwest:
Take I-85 North to exit 42 (Highway 29 & 49).
Take Highway 49 North to Harrisburg.
Follow the signs to the speedway.
Or take I-85 North to exit 42 (Highway 29 & 49).
Take Highway 29 North to the speedway.
Or take I-85 North to exit 48 (I-485).
Take I-485 to Highway 29.
Take Highway 29 North to the speedway.
Or take I-85 North to exit 49 (Speedway Boulevard).
Follow the signs to the speedway.
• From the southeast:
Take Highway 601 North to Highway 29.
Take Highway 29 South to the speedway or I-485.
Or take I-485 to Highway 49 North to Harrisburg.
Left on Morehead Road.
Take I-485 to Highway 29 North to speedway.
Parking
Free parking: Available.
Handicapped parking: Available; permit required. Permits may be
purchased through the speedway's
ticket office at 800-455-FANS.
• Complete ESPN SportsTravel NASCAR Guide
• 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series schedule
