PREVIEW OF THE HOORAH AT THE HOUSE THAT HUMPY BUILT
Including driver's appearances, best seats, prices, stuff to do, schedule, speedway info & more.
Traffic Information Available on 91.1 FM
5555 Concord Pkwy. South Concord, NC 28027
Lowe's Motor Speedway Ticket Office (704) 455-3200
TRACK NEWS:Show Your Flair Contest Offers Fans Chance to Win Race Tickets.
As Charlotte Motor Speedway prepares for the May 22 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, fans will have the opportunity to win a VIP race experience to the Backyard Brawl by submitting video impersonations of one of wrestling’s biggest personalities, Charlotte’s own Ric Flair. Fans can visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/flair to enter the Show Your Flair contest by Feb. 24 for a chance to win an All-Star Race prize package.
Limited Edition Backyard Brawl Poster Available With Purchase of NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Ticket MORE
PREVIEW
If you have ever read any of my columns before a race in Charlotte, you know that Humpy’s House is our favorite track. It is the most fan friendly track on the circuit. The staff is knowledgeable & there are BIG signs everywhere telling you where you are & how to get to where you need to go. A gazillion bathrooms and just in case those are full; a gazillion luxury port o potties with running water & hand towels on & off Speedway property! Tickets are reasonable, concessions prices not to bad and no absurd rules about a 6x6x12 inch cooler for our "safety".
The fans surrounding the speedway, both new ones & ole timers, are the best you will ever meet. There are no strangers in the parking lots at Humpy’s House; just friends you haven’t met yet. Make sure you go over & meet some while you are tailgating.
Also, the Bubba Olympics are in full tilt at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Parking Lots.
Below is seating preview and a few things to do while in Concord for the race.
Trust me there is soooo much to do you won't get it all in!
2010 Directions to Charlotte Motor Speedway NEW TRAFFIC PLAN
Folks, it is color coded this year. How you come in will determain where you park!
RED ZONE:
From Charlotte, N.C.
# I-85 North to Exit 46 A (Mallard Creek Church Road)
# Right on Mallard Creek Church Road
# Left at North Tryon Road (Hwy 29 north)
# Right onto Morehead Road, speedway parking on right
From Greensboro, N.C.
# I-85 South to Exit 48 (I-485 / Rock Hill)
# Exit 32 and turn left on to Hwy 29 north/Tryon
# Right at Morehead Road, speedway parking on right
From South Carolina:
# I-77 North to Exit 1 (I-485 East)
# I-485 to exit 32
# Right on Hwy 29 North/Tryon
# Right on Morehead Road, speedway parking on right
From Harrisburg, N.C.
# Hwy 49 South to Morehead Road
# Right at Morehead Road, speedway parking on left
From Charlotte, N.C.
# Hwy 29 North to Morehead Road
# Right on Morehead Road, speedway parking on right
BLUE ZONE:
From Charlotte, N.C. (South) or Greensboro, N.C. (North)
# I-85 to Exit 49 (Bruton Smith Blvd./Concord Mills)
# East towards speedway & parking available on right
From Charlotte, N.C.
# I-85 North to Exit 46A (Mallard Creek Church Road)
# Turn right off exit
# Left onto Hwy 29 North/ North Tryon, parking available on left
From South Carolina
# I-77 North to Exit 1 (I-485 East)
# I-485 to Exit 32 (Hwy 29/North Tryon)
# Hwy 29 North to speedway, parking available on left
From Statesville, N.C.
# I-77 South to Exit 25
# Left on Hwy 73 (Sam Furr Road)
# Right on Poplar Tent to I-85 S towards Charlotte
# Exit 49 (Bruton Smith Blvd)
# East towards speedway
From Charlotte, N.C.
# Hwy 29 North to speedway, parking available on left
Silver, Bronze and VIP Green
• Follow designated directions
• Enter at Entrances H and T
Unreserved Handicap
• Follow designated directions
• Enter at Entrances E, H and T
Gold Lot, Smith Tower Reserved, Toyota Fourth Turn Terrace
• Follow designated directions
• From Bruton Smith Boulevard turn left onto Hwy 29 North/Concord Boulevard
• Right at Entrance F
• Right for Gold Lot and Smith Tower Reserved
• Left for Toyota Fourth Turn Terrace
From Hwy 29 South/Concord Boulevard
• Left at Entrance F
• Right for Gold Lot and Smith Tower Reserved
• Left for Toyota Fourth Turn Terrace
ORANGE ZONE:
From Charlotte, N.C. (South) or Greensboro, N.C. (North)
# I-85 to Exit 49 (Bruton Smith Blvd./ Concord Mills)
# East towards speedway & parking on left
From Greensboro, N.C.
# I-85 South to Exit 52 (Poplar Tent road)
# Left onto Poplar Tent road
# Right onto Hwy 29 South/Concord Blvd., speedway parking available on right
From Concord, N.C.
# Hwy 29 South/Concord Blvd, speedway parking available on right
GREEN ZONE:
From South Carolina
# I-77 North to Exit 2 (I-485 East)
# I-485 to Exit 33
# Left onto Hwy 49 North/ University City Blvd
# Left on Morehead Road
# Right at "P Parking" signage for Lowe's Motor Speedway
From Charlotte, N.C. (South) or Greensboro, N.C. (North)
# I-85 to Exit 48 (I-485/Rock Hill)
# I-485 to Exit 33
# Left on Hwy 49 North/University City Blvd
# Left on Morehead
From Harrisburg, N.C.
# Hwy 49 South to Morehead Road
# Right on Morehead Road
# Right at "P Parking" signage for Lowe's Motor Speedway
From Concord, N.C.
# Hwy 29 South to "B Parking" signs at Lowe's Motor Speedway
# Turn right at "B Parking" and go under Hwy 29 onto I-600
ADA Parking
Unreserved Handicap Parking (Paid):
Available in Lot M off of Morehead Road (please see driving directions for Red Zone)
Permit/Reserved Handicap Parking (Paid): (Available for fans that purchased wheelchair seating)
Toyota Fourth Turn Terrace (please see driving directions for Gold Lot/Orange Zone)
Ford (please see driving directions for Red Zone)
Diamond Tower (please see driving directions for Green Zone)
Free Handicap Parking:
Available in Lots E, H, T (please see driving directions for Orange Zone)
Unreserved Lot across from Gate 18 at the backstretch (please see driving directions for Green Zone)
TRAFFIC TIPS:
•
I-85 and exit 49 (Speedway Blvd.) is usually the most congested on event days. If possible, try to avoid exit 49 and Speedway Blvd. Good alternates are Hwy 29 from both the North and the South and Hwy 49 to Morehead Road.
•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.
GET THOSE DETAILED MAPS!!! DON'T FORGET ABOUT THE TRAFFIC NIGHTMARE BEFORE THE COCA COLA 414 in 2003. Traffic Information Available on 91.1 FM
2010 CATS Route to Provide Easy Access to Speedway
The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS), the City of Concord and Lowe's Motor Speedway have partnered to bring citizens Saturday bus service from Center City Charlotte to Lowe's Motor Speedway. Starting from the Charlotte Transportation Center, fans can take the 79X Concord Mills Express to beat the traffic and enjoy Saturday's NASCAR Banking 500 for just $6 roundtrip. To learn more about the 79X Concord Mills Express and CATS services, call (704) 336-RIDE (7433) or visit www.ridetransit.org.
PREVIEW OF SEATING
We have sat in all the grandstands at this speedway (including Suite seats) & even some that are no longer there. In fact MANY that are no longer there. No bad seat in the house. I am listing them in the order that I think has the best view for the best price.
Ford Grandstand or in the GN Tower
My personal favorite place to seat at Charlotte is in Chicken Bone Alley between the start finish line & turn 1, in either the Ford Grandstand or in the GN Tower. Those cars freight train out of the dog leg & you can feel it in your entire body. You can see all 4 turns, the entire front stretch, the drag race out of the pits and most of the back stretch. Ford Grandstands all have individual seating with a good bit of room underneath. One thing there are 35 seats in a row!
Chrysler Tower
Next seating I like is in the Chrysler Tower coming out of turn 4. You can see all 4 turns, all the front stretch or all the back stretch depending on what section you are in, part of the front or back stretch depending on what section you are in, some of the pits & victory lane. Lots of good passing happens coming out of three & four going on to the front stretch. chrysler the seats are fold up seats down to row 20, bleacher seats down to row 11,
East Grandstand
Next in line is the East Grandstand on the back stretch. The cheapest seat at any Cup race, it is ONLY $25.00 per adult unreserved seating & child under 12 $5.00 or $10.00 depending on the row. They are the old bleacher seats BUT loads of action when they spread out down the back stretch. You can see almost the whole track if you get up high enough. This is the one of the CHEAPEST ways you will ever see a Cup race with kids.
GN Tower, Grand National, General Motors, 4th Turn Tower & South Turn
The other grandstands on the front stretch are good. The GN Tower, Grand National Grandstand & General Motors grandstand are excellent for viewing the pits, the turns, start finish line & victory circle. The 4th Turn Tower from section A-F and South Turn Tower Sections R-T are good because they are more situated on the front stretch even though they are in the turns. The 4th Turn is where Gordon took Bobby & Rusty 3 wide late in the 600 the year he ran out of gas in the Winston to win. The South Turn enables you to see who wins the race out of the pits along with most of the track if you are up high enough.
***Laidback Racing Tip #1: BEWARE while rows 42 & up are covered on the front stretch, which is great to keep the sun & rain off of you BUT there are poles obstructing the view.
***Laidback Racing Tip #2: Be careful when looking for your seat because the grandstand sections don't all run from A-Z. The Ford Tower for instance runs from AA - K. This is because when they expanded they didn't do away with entire grandstands they did away with only what they needed of them.
I've sat in the turns but don't like them as much. I would rather sit on the bottom row in Chicken Bone Alley than on the top row in one of the turns.
Diamond Tower/Jewel Tower
Diamond Tower/Jewel Tower has good points; new tower so real up to date. Great view of the banking in turns 1 & 2. Good view as they spread out down the back stretch. Real comfy seats for a reasonable price. Also if you are up high enough there are TV's in the rafters that show a different feed than the wide screen TV's in the infield. Usually you can find ticket deals from the track in Diamond Tower. We sit here as it is closest to our camping spot and the best price on tickets
Veranda Terrace
Veranda Terrace is covered & has TV located in the rafters. WARNING: There are poles that hold up the roof so they are in the way in some seats. Also if your seats are closer to the GN Tower (turn 1) there is an opening that allows the wind to WHIP thru and it will chill you to the bone even during the May race.
Speedway Club Suite
Speedway Club Suite seats are not worth the cost if it is the May race. (Of course, ours were a gift from Kevin Gissell & Parks Auto Parts so hey no skin off my nose.) When they turn on the AC it fogs up the windows facing the track! So they don’t turn it on that much. We were up there for the Busch race during Memorial Day weekend and it was so warm in there we were sweating. When I asked some one about why the AC wasn’t on, I was told about the “fog problem”. Also, 5 minutes after the race ended, they were chasing you out so they could clean up! Once again, I talked to some one who worked there and asked how long she would be working to clean up and she replied “oh, only another hour tops, we are almost thru.” This really irritated those high society fans who had reservations in the speedway restaurant but were told to go walk around until their reservation time! Of course they wanted to know why the fans sitting in the grandstands didn’t have to leave but they did. HMMMMMM. Staff in the blue blazers up there were the least knowledgeable of all the staff on Speedway property.
Charlotte Motor Speedway 2010 Schedule
N.C. Education Lottery 200 Friday, May 21, 2010
NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Saturday, May 22, 2010
Windstream Pole Night Thursday, May 27, 2010
TECH-NET Auto Service 300 Saturday, May 29, 2010 | 2:30pm
Coca-Cola 600 Sunday, May 30, 2010
TICKET PRICES 2010
$20.10 Down Reserves Any Seat at Charlotte Motor Speedway For the 2010 Spring Season of Speed
ALL STAR 39.00-75.00
TICKET DEALS 2010
2010 Family Four Pack is an incredible offer that includes four race tickets, four hot dogs, and four Coca-Cola soft drinks starting at $39.75 per person. The NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race Family Four Pack is an incredible offer that includes four race tickets, four hot dogs and four Coca-Cola soft drinks starting at just $35 per person.
Super Ticket Package 2010 Enjoy four nights of side-by-side, sheet-metal banging action at Charlotte Motor Speedway for only $99! Purchase tickets to the four events during the Coca-Cola 600 weekend and receive a 22% discount. This package includes a ticket to Windstream Pole Night (Thursday), WoO Sprint Car Showdown at The Dirt Track (Friday), the Tech-Net 300 (Saturday), and Coca-Cola 600 (Sunday) for only $99 per person. It's a great deal that you shouldn't pass up!
Children's Tickets 2010 Children's Tickets: Ages 12 and under get in for just $10 for any NASCAR Nationwide Series or Sprint Cup Series race in our smoke- and alcohol-free family grandstands. On Windstream Pole Night, bring your child to see his/her favorite driver qualify for the Coca-Cola 600 and ages 6 to 12 get in for just $1.
Scouts in Free on Friday Boy Scout and Girl Scout Troop members will be special guests at the Dollar General 300 on Friday. All uniformed scouts and uniformed scout leaders will receive a free ticket for admittance to the NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Lowe's Motor Speedway at Gates 30 and 31. Each additional family member must purchase a ticket at a special rate. Scout group leaders can contact the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS for more details.
MILITARY DISCOUNT 2009 - To honor members of the U.S. Armed Forces, Lowe's Motor Speedway offers specially priced tickets at $30 Call with your military I.D. number and take advantage of the savings.
PIT PASSES 2009 $100 You can purchase pit passes for selected events by calling the ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS. MORE tour on pit road from 2 to 6 p.m. on race day.
You can also take advantage of these offers by calling the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS
Pre-Race
Pre-Race Show is the BEST on the circuit. Years ago when the only celebrity singing at the tracks were the local beauty queens, Humpy was doing what he could to entertain the fans & give them their money's worth. Over the years at the pre-race shows in Charlotte we have seen stunt drivers including one of Bubba's favs, Joey Chitwood, Robbie Kneviel, loads of military, bands & even bungee jumping. Even though we are not big on pre-race festivities, we highly recommend you make it to Humpy's House for the pre-race festivities. He never disappoints. Must be because he is a Real Race Fan at heart.
What to do while there - Racin' Stuff first then other stuff
(Cigarette prices are cheap in NC for all you smokers.)
There is so much to do at the Charlotte Motor Speedway you can’t get it all in. More Independent Vendors are located together at Charlotte than any other Speedway: great prices & great selection. Location is on our Race Recon Page. It can take you an entire afternoon to walk thru all the corporate exhibitions & independent vendors. Go do it; like I said great deals on souvenirs and the exhibits have free stuff especially for the fall race with the season winding down.
Driver's Appearances
Appearances are posted from a week before race day up until a few days before. Many times there isn't advanced notice, go by the souvenir haulers and look for the signs. (Go on Friday if possible)
MORE APPEARANCES AROUND CHARLOTTE - ALWAYS ALOT CLICK HERE
SPEED STREETS 600 Festival COCA COLA 600 ONLY
A Coca Cola 600 tradition from the city of Charlotte & The Speedway. If you don't mind crowds there's plenty of free music, goodies, interactive games, driver appearances, bands & more.
the three-day event will begin at Third and Graham streets, move up Third and then make a left turn onto Tryon Street. The Tryon portion of the festival will stretch from Second to Fifth streets, instead of Stonewall to Seventh.
Using Third Street also means that two of the three main stages will be in large parking lots, providing more room for crowds and exhibitors.
For driver's Appearances and entertainment list click here
'50 Years of Firsts' History Display
An interactive 50 Years of Firsts display will open with an appearance by Kasey Kahne to kick off the Coca-Cola 600 Month of May as part of Lowe's Motor Speedway's 50th year celebration. the 17,424 square foot display located near the speedway's main entrance at Highway 29 and Bruton Smith Boulevard. The exhibit will be open daily through Sunday, May 24, in conjunction with the Lowe's Motor Speedway ticket office operating hours and admission will be free of charge.
THE DIRT TRACK
You have to do a race at the Dirt Track while you are here. When you do ya'll will find:
Humpy don't like no stinkin' dusty track!
The water truck comes out after every heat and waters down the track, the pits and directly in front of the fans. This is a state of the art Dirt track! High Tech Redneck at it's best! Reserved seats available at (800) 455-FANS or www.lowesmotorspeedway.com. Parking FREE in designated LMS lots.
Laidback Racing Tip: At WOO events before the last heat (A or B main) of the night, the ticket salespeople get to leave their stations and go watch the race. If you only want to try it to see if you like it, go Friday night and see one heat for free then decide if you want tickets for Saturday.
The North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame
NCAR 704-663-5331 for more information
The museum, dedicated to all types of racing, features over 35+ race cars on display. You can relive racing's greatest moments in the Goodyear Mini-Theater now featuring "NASCAR's Greatest Drivers". The North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame has driver uniforms and helmet displays and exhibits of unique racing engines. Also located there is the T. Wayne Robertson Electronic Library. It is located off Interstate 77 on Knob Hill Road, just a short distance north of the Charlotte Speedway.
Sam Bass Gallery
6104 Performance Drive SW, Concord, NC 28027 Located outside of turn 2 across the street (704) 455-6915 or (800) 556-5464 E-mail info@sambass.com
Open To The Public Admission Is Free
Richard Petty Driving Experience Offers High-Speed Ride-Alongs
Each Ride-Along participant will receive three laps in a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup-style stock car at speeds approaching 160 mph.
For information or to secure a seat for one of the Ride-Along
sessions, contact the Richard Petty Driving Experience at 1-800-BE-PETTY.
RACE TRACKS
number in front of name is distance from Lowe's
4.5 World Karting Ass. (704) 455-1606 6041 Victory Lane S.W., Harrisburg, NC 28075
11.0 Concord Motorsport Park (704) 782-4221 7940 US Hwy. 601 South, Concord, NC
Indian Land Kartway (803) 547-2711, 499 Charles Pettus Road, Fort Mill, SC 29708
12.2 Zito's Mobile Mascarr Inc. (704) 857-6269 412 East Blume Street, Landis, NC
27.7 East Lincoln Motor Speedway (704) 263-5347, 1873 Mariposa Road, Stanley, NC
37.6 Farmington Drag Way (336) 998-3443 Mocksville, NC 27028
39.9 Carolina Motor Speedway (704) 869-0313, Union Road, Gastonia, NC 28052
40.2 Lexington Moto-Cross (336) 238-2110, 224 Berrier Avenue, Lexington, NC
44.5 Farmington Dragway (336) 998-3443, 2992 Nc Highway 801 North, Mocksville, NC 27028
Race shops addresses
600 Racing, Inc. (Legends Cars)
Nascar Silicon Motor Speedway
(704) 979-race Racing simulators.
Nascar Speed Park
SPEEDTV STAGE
At Lowe's Motor Speedway, the SPEED Stage is located outside the track, behind the main grandstand, in between Turn 3 & Turn 4.
Concord Mills Mall
Straight up the road from the Speedway entrance, on your left. I don't think you'll miss it. There are usually drivers signing autographs there during Speed Weeks.
I-85 exit 49. Second largest mall in North Carolina. With a nod towards race fans in it's design.
Other Stuff To Do
The Charlotte Nature Museum is an urban science center that exhibits the animals and plants of the Piedmont including an ever-changing Butterfly Garden. The Nature Museum is located adjacent to Freedom Park, in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Mint Museum of Art and the Mint Museum of Craft and Design, Afro-American Cultural Center, Charlotte Museum of History and Levine Museum of the New South are all located in Charlotte.
Discovery Place, located in the heart of Charlotte, is a cutting edge science center featuring interactive displays from the frontiers of space to the depths of the sea. Some of the exhibits include:
PuppetPlace - A professional theatre offers an opportunity for children to learn about a variety of topics during fun musical shows.
Our Living Planet – Reach out and touch a simulated tornado, check out the weather or view our gem collection while exploring video presentations and hands-on exhibits.
Also features an Aquarium, a Rain Forest and much more.
OTHER IMPORTANT SPEEDWAY INFO
Did your vehicle get towed because you parked in the wrong place? Or had no sticker? Call 704-455-3220.
WILL CALL
Tickets can be picked up at the speedway's ticket office until the day of the event. The will-call window is located at Gate 4 on Event Days.
GATE MAP
CONCESSIONS
Humpy's concession prices are high BUT it is your own fault if you have to buy something from him because he lets you bring what you want into the track....so bring plenty of snacks and beer!
BLACK FLAG FROM US: The track charges $10.00 for a "margarita" Well I bartended for over 20 years and a margarita has tequila in it and the track's doesn't on Sundays. We got this info from a police officer who is in the loop. Skip the Bloody Mary's too.
BUT you gotta have a fried Twinkie or a fried oreo while you are at Humpy's. As PR man Steve would say, "Fried Twinkies are all that"
Gotta love Southerns...we will fry anything!
RESTROOMS
Plenty of rest rooms at Humpy's House. But just in case he has luxury port o potties (Bubba suites) with running water, paper towels and soap!
STAFF
Interestingly enough, the staff in the grandstand area are alot more knowledgeable than the ones in the suites. Maybe because they are bubbas from the old days like us.
SHUTTLES AND TRAMS
Bus Shuttles
The Speedway operates 3 types of bus shuttle service on LMS property:
1. Morehead Farms, Peninsula, and Rock City Campgrounds to and from the shower houses, ticket office, and souvenir row area from 7 am - 12 noon starting on the Monday of each race week.
2. Morehead Farms, Peninsula, and Rock City Campgrounds to and from the track from 12 noon - 12 midnite on race and pole days.
3. Morehead Farms, Peninsula, and Rock City Campgrounds to and from the Dirt Track during race weeks two hours before the event until two hours after the event.
Trams:
Tram service is provided by Nationwide Insurance at a number of tram stops throughout the facility including Gates 2, 3, 4, 7/8, 12, 18, 26, and 30 and run in a clockwise direction. These trams operate on race and qualifying days from 12 noon - until These trams will operate after an event.
QUEEN CITY TOURS
to and from the Lowe’s Motor Speedway NASCAR Shuttle
Pick up at all area hotels, the South End Brewery [2100 South Blvd., Charlotte, NC, 28202], and Info/Visit/Main Street Charlotte [330 South Tryon St./Uptown, Charlotte, NC, 28203]. They have all the following towns listed in their email to me:
They
Rock Hill
Gastonia
Kings Mountain
Monroe
Matthews
Pineville/Ft. Mill/Carowinds
Tega Cay
Ballantyne
Arrowood/Westinghouse
Airport/Woodlawn/Coliseum
E. Independence Blvd.
South Park/Myer's Park
Uptown/Dilworth
Huntersville/Lake Norman/Mooresville
Sugar Creek
University
Concord/Kannapolis
These nice folks sent along the rate, time sheet and form needed to fill out. Too much to load so just go to their website and email them to send it to you.
