What’s Happening?
North Carolina has always been the heartland of stock car racing. As the home base to most teams in NASCAR’s national series, the state has hosted the NASCAR Cup Series at 31 different tracks during the sport’s lifetime. Now home to just two NASCAR tracks, it remains the state of choice for fans who choose to camp at the tracks all week long.
Charlotte Motor Speedway
- Charlotte Motor Speedway is considered the only home game on the NASCAR schedule. With race shops within a mile of the track, it is a favorite for teams and fans alike. Alongside this history, the track has been at the forefront of fan experience and modernization since it opened in 1959.
- Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of 11 tracks on the NASCAR Cup Series Schedule that host two race weekends a year. The track converted its infield into a road course called the Roval, the layout for its playoff race. The track also hosts the NASCAR Xfinity Series for two races a year and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series once a year.
Camping and Amenities at Charlotte Motor Speedway
CMS offers full hookup, power only, and dry camping options for race weekend attendees. The spaces range from 15×40 to 30×50, with surfaces ranging from paved to grass and gravel. There is also a business center, shower facilities, laundry rooms, and dump stations for those with campers and RV’s.
For day-to-day at-track camping, CMS has free Wi-Fi at the Camping World Racing Resort. The resort also has volleyball courts, a playground, and gathering places. The track is also pet-friendly.
For more information on camping at CMS, we have a dedicated article on what campers can expect, sourced from NASCAR’s Digital Camping Booklet, which features detailed camping information for most NASCAR tracks.
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Tips For Camping at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte offers an exciting camping opportunity for those hardcore race fans. The 600 Terrace may be the most exclusive camping experience for race fans in the country. With an overlook of CMS that would make the spotters jealous and amenities that make for a memorable weekend, the 600 Terrace is undoubtedly a top-notch camping experience for fans at CMS.
A notable tip for those in the area outside of a race weekend is that CMS offers year-round camping opportunities for those passing through the area. The facility also features the Z-Max Dragway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway for those fans who may find themselves in town during another type of race weekend.
Outside of the track for those camping at CMS, exploring Huntersville, Charlotte, Concord, and Kannapolis is an excellent way for race fans to expand their knowledge of the sport’s rich history, with race shops and museums like Hendrick Motorsports, Trackhouse Racing, and RFK Racing in Concord or Curb Records & Motorsports in Kannapolis there’s always something for fans of any age to enjoy.
North Wilkesboro Speedway
- North Wilkesboro Speedway hosted the NASCAR Cup Series twice yearly from 1951 to 1996 before it was left abandoned in the hills of North Carolina. The 0.625-mile track has made a resurgence after a grassroots campaign led to its restoration. While renovated, the track maintains the feel of a track out of time. The faded walls, complimented by the new asphalt, contrast the future and past of stock car racing.
- North Wilkesboro Speedway now hosts one race weekend a year. The All-Star weekend is a celebration of the sport’s current stars in the place where NASCAR grew to become the national icon it is today. In addition to hosting the All-Star Race, the track also hosts a NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race the night before the All-Star Race.
Camping and Amenities at North Wilkesboro Speedway
North Wilkesboro Speedway features three exterior lots: two feature spaces sized 20×45, and a third lot, lot A, features spaces sized 20×50. Lot surfaces are grass and feature dry camping. All three exterior lots feature security, water, pump-out, and showers. Lot C is the only exterior lot featuring tent camping.
Premium camping is available trackside along the back stretch. It features 20×45 spaces on a gravel surface. In addition to the great view, premium camping features four passes for the race weekend, parking for one tow vehicle, and two complementary pump-out services.
North Wilkesboro Speedway is a pet-friendly facility, though all pets must be on a leash. The track also allows campers to build a fire in an above-ground fire pit. Like most tracks, select lots will feature quiet hours from 1:00 to 7:00 a.m. during race weekends.
Tips For Camping at North Wilkesboro Speedway
Race weekends in North Wilkesboro are fun and can be very busy for the small town in rural North Carolina.
Past race weekends have featured many events in town and at the track. In town, the hauler parade, a typically informal tradition of NASCAR’s past and present, has been a fan favorite, with cars and haulers of racers past joining in on the drive to the track.
At the track, one benefit of the All-Star Race weekend is the Pit Crew Challenge, and the heat races determine qualification for the main event and starting order for the All-Star Race. Another at-track feature is the VIP Turn 4 Building. This building features high-quality food, rooftop views, and private parking.
One tip to plan for if camping at North Wilkesboro Speedway is to be prepared with needs upon arrival at the track. While most modern facilities have planned for heavy traffic, North Wilkesboro Speedway still has the same roads and parking initially found at the track. With heavy race weekend traffic, having your needs ready could be the difference between seeing the green flag in person and listening to it on the radio.
Conclusion
With two wonderful tracks, the future of racing in NASCAR’s home state is healthier than ever. For more information on camping at tracks across the country, camping advice such as recipes and entertainment, and other expert advice, feel free to check out our RV and Camping section under the features tab to make your race weekend as great as possible.