Motorsports Mania: The Ultimate Itinerary for Race Fans in Cabarrus County, NC

Spend the morning touring local race shops. The region is home to Hendrick Motorsports, RFK Racing, Trackhouse Racing and more. Each offers a unique experience and perspective on NASCAR racing and the drivers who get behind the wheel, so be sure to call ahead before visiting each shop to confirm their hours.

Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing (RFK Racing) features an interactive museum where race cars, trophies and driver memorabilia are on display. Stop in the 100-seat theater to watch a film of the great moments in the team’s history.

Fan favorite and former NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. owns JR Motorsports, one of the most popular race shops in the region, which also hosts guided tours on Fridays (advanced reservations required). Before you leave, make sure to stop at the gift shop and stock up on branded merchandise in the JR Nation store.

Grab lunch at Michael Waltrip Taproom before cruising over to Morrison Motor Car Museum to check out exhibits featuring awesome rides including the stock car from the film Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. The museum also houses rare and antique street cars, a Moonshine display and so much more.

No visit to Cabarrus County is complete without making a pit stop at legendary Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Nicknamed “America’s Home for Racing,” the speedway is the pulse of racing action in the region. Get a behind-the-scenes look at the track, NASCAR style with one of their incredible tours. Ride along with a knowledgeable tour guide to see the track firsthand and learn its fascinating history on the Feel the Thrill Tour. On the Fast Pass Tour, you’ll drive around the 1.5-mile quad oval track where drivers like Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart have navigated the 24-degree banking turns and competed for the checkered flag. Tour guides share information about the history of the racetrack via your car radio and you can even snap a photo in Victory Lane.

Make a reservation for dinner at The Speedway Club restaurant, located on the 6th floor of Smith Tower at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The menu features southern favorites like chicken and waffles and shrimp and grits, but the real draw is the view of the racetrack from your table.

Spend Friday exploring Kannapolis, the hometown of NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Sr.

At the Dale Earnhardt Tribute Plaza, the hometown hero is honored with a 9-foot, 900-pound statue in the center of a serene courtyard. The park is also filled with significant numerology related the racing legend’s life and motorsports career.

Stop by Old Armor Beer Company to try the Earnhardt Outdoors Ale and have a bite from the food truck. You’ll also find delicious eats next door at Sabor Latin Street Grill. This veteran owned and operated craft brewery also features special events and live music.

Then, set your GPS for another stop full of high-octane history–the Curb Museum for Music & Motorsports. Here, you’ll learn about the interesting life of Mike Curb and discover the intersection of harmony and horsepower at this one-of-a-kind museum, which sits alongside the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame.

In the heart of revitalized downtown Kannapolis, you’ll find tons of new local restaurants, sweet shops, boutiques, a cidery and more just steps away from the area’s most popular attractions. Enjoy an upscale meal at Chophouse 101. Do some duckpin bowling or play inside the arcade at Kingpin Underground. Catch a movie at the amazing, historic Gem Theatre.

Visiting during baseball season? Don’t miss Atrium Health Ballpark.

Cheer on the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers during a home game and snap a photo with the team mascot, Boomer, who bears a resemblance to our hometown hero. Dinner at Boomer’s Bistro features classic ballpark fare like peanuts, popcorn and hot dogs, and the Outfield Bar offers a variety of beverages including the team’s own Baller Beer by Cabarrus Brewing Company.

If you’re ready to get behind the wheel, there are plenty of options to enjoy fast fun in Cabarrus County.

Jumpstart your Saturday with some espresso from a local coffee shop and a helping of horsepower at K1 Speed, Concord’s indoor go-kart racing center. With its all-electric karts and professionally designed track, this driving experience will satisfy even a veteran racer’s need for speed.

Craving some faster-paced action?

Register for the NASCAR Racing Experience. Meet with your crew chief, suit up, slip into the driver’s seat and put the pedal to the metal. A spotter will provide one-on-one radio instruction to help you pass the other cars as you race around the track.

Indulge in another North Carolina tradition — barbecue! Dinner from The Smoke Pit is a must when craving perfectly cooked pork, chicken or brisket. Complete with Southern-style sides like deviled egg potato salad, this meal’s unforgettable flavors and sizable portions are sure to satisfy any appetite.

Find tasty options for breakfast and brunch located just minutes from Charlotte Motor Speedway in Harrisburg.

Open daily beginning at 7 a.m., Sunflour Baking Company serves up flaky pastries, gooey cinnamon rolls, organic tea and coffee, and a variety of delicious breakfast sandwiches.

Vortex Bottle Shop is another local favorite for brunch. Try an open-faced biscuit or flatbread along with a mimosa. It’s the perfect morning pit stop to fuel up for the finale of your motorsports weekend. Plus, you select drinks to enjoy at home from their bottle shop.

Head to the heart of Charlotte to visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Built as a tribute to the history of NASCAR and the drivers, crew members and team owners who popularized the fast-paced sport, the Hall of Fame is part museum, part interactive racing experience.

One of the most popular exhibits is “Glory Road,” a banked ramp leading to the second floor that highlights racetracks around the U.S. and showcases historic race cars. The Pit Stop Café inside the NASCAR Hall of Fame is the perfect spot to refuel.

Hop in the driver’s seat, head back home and start planning your next visit!

Remember, our team is standing by to help you plan the ultimate racing adventure in Cabarrus County. Call or stop by the Visitor Center or connect with us on social media anytime for even more motorsports inspiration.