Charlotte Motor Speedway

Track Info

Location	Concord, North Carolina
Type	Quad-Oval (Intermediate)
Length	1.5 miles (2.414 km)
Banking	24 degrees in turns, 5 degrees on frontstretch
Surface	Asphalt
Capacity	~89,000
Opened	1960

Track Characteristics

Charlotte Motor Speedway sits at the very heart of NASCAR country. Most Cup Series teams are based within a 30-mile radius of the track, making it the closest thing to a home race for the entire garage. The 1.5-mile quad-oval features 24 degrees of banking in the turns and a distinctive frontstretch kink that gives fans in the grandstands a panoramic view of the racing action.

The Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend is the longest race on the NASCAR schedule at 600 miles. The race starts in daylight and finishes under the lights, presenting a unique challenge as the track surface changes dramatically with the temperature drop. Drivers who can adapt to the evolving conditions over four hours of racing tend to shine in this grueling event.

Charlotte was one of the first tracks to install permanent lights, pioneering night racing in the Cup Series with the All-Star Race. The speedway has been constantly innovated by Speedway Motorsports, including the addition of the ROVAL - a road course that uses part of the oval and infield - which was introduced in 2018 as a playoff race venue.

Getting There

Nearest Airport	Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) - approximately 20 miles southwest. Major hub with direct flights from most US cities.
Nearest City	Concord, NC. Uptown Charlotte is about 20 minutes south. The surrounding area has extensive dining and hotel options.

Series That Race Here

• NASCAR Cup Series - Coca-Cola 600 (oval), Bank of America ROVAL 400 (road course), All-Star Race
• NASCAR Xfinity Series
• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

2026 NASCAR Event Info

Cup Race (Oval)	Coca-Cola 600
600 Date	May 24, 2026 (Memorial Day weekend)
ROVAL Race	Bank of America ROVAL 400 (Playoff Round of 12)
ROVAL Date	October 11, 2026
TV	FOX (600) / NBC (ROVAL)

Track Records

Qualifying Record	Kyle Larson - 194.639 mph (2024)
Race Record	Jeff Gordon - 160.345 mph (1999)

Notable Past Races

• 1992 All-Star Race: The inaugural "One Hot Night" under the lights at Charlotte made history as Kyle Petty led the field to green under permanent lighting at a major speedway for the first time.
• 2003 Coca-Cola 600: Jimmie Johnson dominated the 600, cementing his reputation as one of the best intermediate-track racers of his generation during his dynasty years.
• 2018 ROVAL: The first Cup race on the Charlotte ROVAL produced absolute chaos, with Jimmie Johnson spinning in the final chicane while leading, handing the win to Ryan Blaney.
• 2005 All-Star Race: Tony Stewart traded paint with Kasey Kahne on the last lap in one of the most aggressive finishes in All-Star Race history.

Track Facts

• Charlotte Motor Speedway was built in 1960 by Bruton Smith and Curtis Turner, who literally blasted a track out of a red-clay hillside with dynamite.
• The speedway was the first major oval to install permanent lighting for night races, changing the way NASCAR marketed its events forever.
• The ROVAL - introduced in 2018 - combines the oval and an infield road course section, creating a 2.28-mile layout used for playoff races.
• The zMAX Dragway, a four-lane, NHRA-sanctioned drag strip, is located on the same property, making it a complete motorsport campus.
• The speedway hosts the NASCAR Hall of Fame Race Weekend each year, and the actual Hall of Fame is located about 15 miles away in Uptown Charlotte.

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