Back to Back winners of the Coca-Cola 600:
Jimmie Johnson (3 in a row), 2003-2005
Jeff Gordon, 1997-1998
Dale Earnhardt, 1992-1993
Darrell Waltrip, 1988-1989
Neil Bonnett, 1982-1983
Darrell Waltrip, 1978-1979
Buddy Baker, 1972-1973

Winners of the Coca-Cola 600 and All-Star Race in same season:
1985-Darrell Waltrip
1991-Davey Allison
1993-Dale Earnhardt
1997-Jeff Gordon
2003-Jimmie Johnson
2008-Kasey Kahne
2010-Kurt Busch

Winners of the Coca-Cola 600, All-Star Race and Fall Race in same season:
no driver

Drivers who led at 500-mile mark, and won the Coca-Cola 600:
1996-Dale Jarrett
2004-Jimmie Johnson
2008-Kasey Kahne
2010-Kurt Busch

Most laps led in 600-mile race win at Charlotte (modern era)
• Jimmie Johnson, 2004 -- 334
• Richard Petty, 1977 -- 311
• Rusty Wallace, 1990 -- 306
• Davey Allison, 1991 -- 263
• Kurt Busch, 2010 -- 252

Track Qualifying Record: #38-Elliott Sadler, Oct 2005, 193.216mph

Coke 600 Qualifying Record: #12-Ryan Newman, May 2005, 192.988mph

Youngest Pole Winner: Jeff Gordon, 22 years, 2 months, 6 days, 10/10/1993

Oldest Pole Winner: Bobby Allison, 49 years, 10 months, 8 days, 10/11/1987

2011 May Race Winner: #29-Kevin Harvick, 132.414mph, started 28th

2011 October Race Winner: #17-Matt Kenseth, 146.194mph, started 2nd

Track Race Record 500 miles: Jeff Gordon, Oct 1999, 160.306mph

Track Race Record 600 miles: Bobby Labonte, May 1995, 151.952mph

Slowest Race Record: Junior Johnson, 107.752mph, 1960

Worst Starting Spot to Win: Jimmie Johnson, May 2003, started 37th

Oldest Winner: Cale Yarborough, 46 years, 6 months, 9 days, 10/6/1985

Youngest Winner: Jeff Gordon, 22 years, 9 months, 25 days, 5/29/1994

Most Wins: 6 - Darrell Waltrip, Bobby Allison, Jimmie Johnson; 5, Jeff Gordon

Most Poles: 14 - David Pearson; Current driver: 9, Ryan Newman; 8, Jeff Gordon

Most Top 5s: 23 - Bobby Allison, Richard Petty

Most Top 10s: 31 - Richard Petty

Most Laps Led [500 mile race]: 328, Ernie Irvan, 10/10/1993

Most Laps Led [600 mile race]: 335, Jim Paschal, 5/28/1967

Most Laps Led by a Race Winner: 335, Jim Paschal, 5/28/1967

Fewest Laps Led by a Race Winner: 2, Kevin Harvick, 5/29/2011

Most Leaders: 21, 5/29/2005

Most Lead Changes: 59 - 5/27/1979

Fewest Leaders: 3, 5/21/1961

Fewest Lead Changes: 2 - 5/21/1961

Most Cautions: 22, 5/29/2005

Most Caution Laps: 113, 5/25/1980

Fewest Cautions: 0 - 5/21/1961

Fewest Caution Laps: 0, 5/21/1961

Most Finishers on a lead lap: 25, 10/15/2005

Most Finishers on a lead lap: 26, 5/25/2009 [227 of 400 laps completed]

Most Running at the Finish: 39, 10/11/2003 & 10/17/2009

Most Running at the Finish: 42 [of 43], 5/25/2009 [227 of 400 laps completed]

Fewest Running at the Finish: 10 - 5/21/1961

Most Wins by Manufacturer: 39 - Chevy

Races won from starting pos 1: 14

Mayors, Drivers Show Support For May Race To Education Program: Mayors and communities across the state are gearing up for the 10 greatest days in racing and getting behind their favorite drivers in hopes of winning up to $40,000 to support educational efforts in the region.
Earlier this month, Speedway Motorsports, Inc. Chairman Bruton Smith announced the May Race to Education program, which randomly paired mayors from across the state with drivers who are eligible for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 19. The community that is paired with the winning driver will receive $20,000 in educational grants. Another $20,000 grant will be awarded to the community paired with the winning driver of the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27.
“The May Race to Education program is exciting on many levels,” Smith said. “It gives fans and communities even more reason to tune in to the greatest place to see the race during the next two weeks and get behind their favorite drivers. But, more importantly, the impact of the program goes beyond the races, with funds being used to support educational programs that will have lasting benefits for children.”
Final pairings from the May Race to Education selection event earlier this month are:
Charlotte: Council member David Howard selected Kyle Busch
Concord: Mayor Scott Padgett selected Marcos Ambrose
Gastonia: Mayor John Bridgeman selected Clint Bowyer
Harrisburg: Mayor Tim Hagler selected David Ragan
Hickory: Mayor Rudy Wright selected Kurt Busch
Huntersville: Mayor Jill Swain selected Regan Smith
Kannapolis: Mayor Pro Tem Gene McCombs selected Jeff Gordon
Matthews: Mayor Jim Taylor selected Ryan Newman
Midland: Mayor Kathy Kitts selected Kevin Harvick
Mooresville: Mayor Miles Atkins selected Denny Hamlin
Mount Pleasant: Mayor Del Eudy selected Brad Keselowski
Salisbury: Council member Maggie Blackwell selected Tony Stewart
Statesville: Mayor Costi Kutteh selected Paul Menard
Wilmington: Mayor Bill Saffo selected Greg Biffle
Additional cities that were unable to attend the kickoff event event that were paired with drivers currently locked into the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race include:
Asheville: Matt Kenseth
Boone: First place winner of the Sprint Showdown
Durham: Winner of the Sprint Fan Vote
Fayetteville: Second place finisher in the Sprint Showdown
Greensboro: Carl Edwards
Greenville: Jimmie Johnson
High Point: Kasey Kahne
Raleigh: Mark Martin
Winston-Salem: Trevor Bayne
In addition to being paired with a driver, each community leader was given 50 tickets to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race to be distributed to local teachers and 500 vouchers for children 13 and under to attend additional race week events, including the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 or LiftMaster Pole Night.
Tickets for both the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600 are still available, with kids tickets starting at just $10. To order tickets, call the Charlotte Motor Speedway Ticket Office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(5-19-2012)

Sam Bass Shows Off Latest Souvenir CMS Program Covers: NASCAR artist Sam Bass has long left his mark on the races at Charlotte Motor Speedway by bringing the covers of the souvenir programs to life with his unique vision and grasp of motorsports. Bass, the official artist of NASCAR, has been designing program covers for Charlotte Motor Speedway since 1985, and was on hand Wednesday to unveil his latest designs. Once again, Bass’ covers for both the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race “Throwdown at Charlotte” and the Coca-Cola 600 “Let Freedom Race” programs are a can’t-miss keepsake for fans, whether their coming to their very first race or have been longtime fans. For more great ticket offers and promotions for any Charlotte Motor Speedway events, visit charlottemotorspeedway.com or call the ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267).(CMS)(5-17-2012)

Tim McGraw to announce top 10 qualifiers at Coca-Cola 600: Tim McGraw will join a star-studded weekend as he announces the Top 10 qualifying drivers in the 53rd running of the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The country superstar will introduce the Top 10 drivers based on qualifying times from LiftMaster Pole Day on May 24. In addition, McGraw, a brand ambassador for Pennzoil, will help shed light on the company's Long Live Cars campaign. As part of the campaign, Pennzoil will donate $100,000 over the next two years to Paralyzed Veterans of America's Mission: ABLE, which retrofits vehicles for handicapped veterans. It is a mission that closely aligns with Charlotte Motor Speedway's Let Freedom Race theme throughout the Coca-Cola 600 race weekend. Fans can show their support for military service men and women throughout the Coca-Cola 600 Let Freedom Race weekend, with weekend packages starting at just $99. To purchase tickets, contact the Charlotte Motor Speedway Ticket Office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or log on to www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(5-12-2012)

Albemarle Fire Dept wins LiftMaster Skills Competition at CMS: Charlotte-area fire departments went head-to-head in the LiftMaster Skills Competition at Charlotte Motor Speedway Tuesday, May 8th, battling for bragging rights and a garage door system overhaul for their department as part of an event highlighting similarities between firefighting and motorsports. Four-man teams from Charlotte, Kannapolis, Albemarle and Mt. Holly fire departments competed in two timed skills competitions - a 75-foot aerial climb in full turnout gear and a 150-foot hose drag - as NASCAR motorsports analyst Jeff Hammond emceed the day's event. After the timed competitions, teams went head-to-head in two elimination rounds, executing NASCAR pit stops with instruction from NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver Jamie McMurray and his Earnhardt Ganassi Racing pit crew. In the final elimination round, the Albemarle Fire Department completed its pit stop one second faster than second-place Kannapolis, to win the inaugural LiftMaster Skills Challenge. LiftMaster also invited the winning team to watch the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27 in the LiftMaster suite and announced that McMurray, who drives the #1 LiftMaster Chevy, and his pit crew will wear the winning team's firehouse number and logo on their helmets during the race. Also during the event, LiftMaster announced plans to recognize firefighters across the Charlotte region during LiftMaster Pole Day on Thursday, May 24 [7:00pm/et], with a special parade lap showcasing some of the departments' finest trucks. In addition, more than 4,500 regional firefighters will be given complimentary tickets to Pole Day. Tickets are still available for all the races at CMS including the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 19 and the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27. To purchase tickets, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267).(CMS)(5-12-2012)

Race officials for Coca-Cola 600 named: One governor and one governor-hopeful, a military hero and a Hollywood star will be on hand for the nation's largest Memorial Day celebration as they serve as race officials for the 2012 Coca-Cola 600. West Virginia Governor Earl Ray Tomblin will be Grand Marshal, North Carolina Gubernatorial candidate Pat McCrory will serve as Honorary Starter, Col. Gregory Gadson will give the race command, and Battleship star and Charlotte native Brooklyn Decker will be Honorary Race Director for the 53rd running of NASCAR's only 600-mile race at the famed Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 27. As race officials, Tomblin and McCrory will be honored at a pre-race event, attend the official drivers meeting, address the crowd of 140,000 fans, participate in the pre-race spectacular and present the trophy to the winning driver in Victory Lane. As Grand Marshal, Governor Tomblin will lead off the pack of drivers in the official pace car, while governor-hopeful McCrory will wave the green flag over the 43-car field to start NASCAR's most challenging race. As Honorary Race Commander, Col. Gadson will give the command "gentleman start your engines" and as Honoray Race Director, Miss Decker, will ride in an official pace car. Continuing its tradition as the biggest Memorial Day Weekend celebration in America, the Coca-Cola 600 pre-race show will pay tribute to veterans and active duty members of the U.S. Armed Forces. The pre-race show will include military musical performances by the 2nd Division Marine Band from Camp Lejeune and 82nd Airborne Chorus, plus a rendition of Amazing Grace by the Charlotte Fire Department Pipe Band. Courtesy of LongHorn Steakhouse, country music superstar Darius Rucker will perform a 45-minute pre-race show concert and the national anthem. Six hundred soldiers from Fort Bragg will participate in ground activities during pre-race ceremonies while the U.S. Army Black Daggers parachute team will descend from the skies. The show will also include a 21-gun salute by the Fort Bragg Firing Squad, a flyover by a B-52 Bomber from Barksdale Air Force Base and a duel burnout on pit road by 8,000 horsepower, Army sponsored NHRA top fuel dragsters driven by Tony Schumacher and Antron Brown.(CMS)(5-11-2012)

Wheeler, Smith dispute idea of lights at Charlotte: Speedway Motorsports Inc. chairman Bruton Smith and ex-employee associate H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler are at war again. When Charlotte Motor Speedway sent out a press release on Tuesday promoting the 20th anniversary of the first race under the lights at a superspeedway and called it Smith's idea, his former president and general manager of CMS responded strongly. Wheeler said the idea to install lights at CMS for the 1992 All-Star race was his idea and his alone. "I usually let Bruton spiel on, but this one got me," Wheeler said. "He would take credit for the sun and moon if he could!" In fairness to Smith, he didn't write the press release or suggest that he be given credit in it. But when asked who came up with the idea for lights at CMS and what he thought of Wheeler's comments, he didn't smooth the waters. "I'm not going to comment on anything about him at all," Smith said. "I don't pay attention to what he [Wheeler] thinks. He's a former employee. I can't possibly think about anything about him, period." Wheeler and Smith have been at odds since Wheeler claimed Smith pushed him out of his job earlier than he wanted in 2008 after a 33-year relationship.(ESPN)(5-6-2012

Charlotte names race officials: Every celebration needs an emcee, so it stands to reason that Charlotte Motor Speedway will need two for the 10 greatest days of racing, May 18-27, which includes the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the 53rd running of the Coca-Cola 600. Two personalities from the Charlotte air-waves will serve as the speedway's ambassadors of fun beginning May 1 and lasting through the final lap of NASCAR's greatest test of man and machine, the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27. Fox Charlotte's Jon Wilson, of the famed "Wilson's World" segments on the popular Fox News Rising morning show, has been named Master of Ceremonies and he will serve alongside former Miss Sprint Cup and current radio personality on The Ace & TJ Show, Monica Palumbo, who has been named Mistress of Ceremonies for the 10 greatest days of racing. The fun at Charlotte Motor Speedway begins on Friday, May 18 with the N.C. Education Lottery 200 and qualifying for the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and lasts through the 53rd running of the Coca-Cola 600 on May 27.(CMS)(4-25-2012)

Two motorcyclist die on track at Charlotte: Two people died after their motorcycles collided at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Saturday. A third person was injured in the accident. Officials said 66-year-old Alan Richard Mockus and 71-year-old Thomas Franklin Hollingsworth were killed in the accident. Deborah Lynn Mockus, 56, is still in the hospital, officials said. Witnesses said the two men were not following the track rules laid out by the organizers of Saturday's Vietnam Veterans celebration. The victims were seen riding at excess of 70 mph. Their bikes were traveling at the top of track, from opposite directions and collided head on when both drivers attempted to come down to avoid each other. Both drivers were killed and a female passenger on one of the bikes was taken to the hospital with major injuries. The crash happened right after a "Homecoming for Vietnam Veterans" event at the speedway. The bikers apparently joined in on the procession independently and were not affiliated with a veteran's bike group. Larger groups, like Rolling Thunder and the Patriot Guard, said they sent out emails to all members telling them not to ride above the white line on the track and to maintain speeds below 35 mph.(WSOCtv.com)(4-2-2012)

Papa John's Pizza party ticket package at Charlotte: Race fans who love pizza will get a double treat as Papa John's is offering a VIP experience with Jeff Gordon and Dale Earnhardt Jr. at the Coca-Cola 600, on May 27, with the Papa John's Pizza Party at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Papa John's pizza boxes throughout the Carolinas and Virginia will include an offer for a pizza party race package for $99. With the package, up to 1,000 fans will get a frontstretch ticket for the May 27 Coca-Cola 600 and exclusive access to a VIP party that includes appearances by the two Hendrick Motorsports drivers. At the party, fans will also be treated to two slices of Papa John's pizza, beverages and a goody bag with gifts from Papa John's and Charlotte Motor Speedway. The promotion will run through late April or while supplies last. To get the ticket package for the Papa John's Pizza Party at the Coca-Cola 600, order from Papa John's or visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/papajohnsparty.(CMS)(4-1-2012)

CMS to build six mini-suites overlooking pit road: Speedway Motorsports Inc. officials will announce today the construction of six mini-suites overlooking pit road at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The 15-person outdoor suites, built about 11 feet above the NASCAR pit crew boxes, will be at the center of pit road, on the track’s “50-yard line,” according to CMS Senior VP/Sales & Marketing Dan Farrell. The suites with roof cover are tied to three-year deals at a cost of $45,000 annually. In return, suite holders will receive 15 tickets to eight NASCAR events every year. Catering provided by track concessionaire Levy Restaurants is a separate fee. To date, SMI has sold four of the six suites, including three to JR Motorsports, UPS and 3M. SMI has a contract pending for a fourth pit road suite and track officials are confident the remaining two units will be sold by May 19, the date of the Sprint All-Star Race, Farrell said. As part of the pit road suite package, suite holders get exclusive access to the new Winners Circle Lounge behind the structure. The lounge, formerly the Sunoco Gas Station, will have a bar, a meeting room, televisions and restrooms.(SceneDaily / Sports Business Daily)(3-23-2012)

Judge dismisses CMS’s lawsuit: After more than four years of wrangling and deal-making, a Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit against Cabarrus County by Bruton Smith, owner of Charlotte Motor Speedway. Superior Court Judge Robert Ervin dismissed the lawsuit over development incentives Smith says he is owed. Speedway representatives have 30 days to file an appeal and say they are considering whether to do so. The dismissal March 9 comes more than five years after speedway owner Bruton Smith threatened to move Charlotte Motor Speedway out of the area. That threat came after Concord’s City Council declined to approve Smith’s plans for a drag strip across U.S. 29 from the main track, citing neighbors’ concerns about noise. Smith’s threat prompted city, county, tourism and other leaders to try many ways of courting Smith to keep him from moving the speedway. City and county leaders went on to forge an $80 million incentives package and offer it to Smith in late 2007. As part of that deal, Smith would build the $60 million drag strip and make $200 million worth of improvements around the track. Part of the disagreement centers on how much of the $80 million the city agreed to provide out of its own budget. Smith filed the suit in Cabarrus County Superior Court in September 2009, seeking $4 million in compensation from the city and county for roadwork and other improvements around the speedway and zMax Dragway. The suit was dropped in hopes that the parties might come to an out-of-court agreement, but it was re-filed May 27, 2011. Jared Gardner, an attorney with James, McElroy & Diehl in Charlotte, which is representing Smith, said appealing the dismissal is among the options attorneys, Smith and the speedway are considering.(more at Charlotte Observer)(3-20-2012)

Veterans get free tickets for Vietnam homecoming at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Only about 4,000 free tickets remain for the Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration at Charlotte Motor Speedway on March 31. "We'll always have tickets for the veterans," said Ginny McCabe, a spokeswoman for the USO-NC. Entertainment will include the Charlie Daniels Band and George Clinton. The celebration will honor the more than 216,000 North Carolina residents who served in Vietnam. About 1,600 died in the war. The USO of North Carolina and Charlotte Motor Speedway are sponsoring it. Veterans service organizations will be available at the speedway to assist veterans, who should bring their discharge paperwork. The ticket limit is two per person. Even after the allotment has been filled, veterans can reserve tickets by calling 800-455-FANS (3267) and showing their DD214 card or other military ID when picking up the tickets at the will-call window on the day of the celebration.(Fayetteville Observer)(3-20-2012)

"Pawn Stars" to Serve as Grand Marshals for Nationwide race at Charlotte: Stars from HISTORY's hit television series "Pawn Stars" are making plans to travel east to visit the heart of motorsports country for the May 26 HISTORY 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The Las Vegas-based reality show cast of Richard Harrison (aka Old Man), Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison and Chumlee will add to the Coca-Cola 600 weekend excitement by serving as grand marshals of the HISTORY 300. As part of a promotion with Coca-Cola, two lucky fans will be selected to watch the HISTORY 300 with the TV stars. "Pawn Stars" follows three generations of the Harrison family, who own and operate Gold & Silver Pawn Shop in Las Vegas. The series debuted in 2009 and became the network's highest rated show and the No. 2 reality show on TV, trailing only "Jersey Shore." Following the show's success, HISTORY picked up two spinoff series, "American Restoration" and "Cajun Pawn Stars."(CMS)(3-11-2012)

Charlotte adds Global Rallycross to Coke 600 weekend: Charlotte Motor Speedway has added even more excitement to the 10 greatest days in racing with the addition of a Global Rallycross Championship (GRC) event during the Coca-Cola 600 weekend. GRC combines the energy of motorsport with the attitude of action sport, and showcases well-known X Games stars like Travis Pastrana, Dave Mirra and Tanner Foust driving 600-horsepower compact cars through a series of tight turns and over high-action jumps. Drivers advance through a series of timed heats to a final winner-take-all race. The event at Charlotte Motor Speedway is part of a new relationship between Global Rallycross Championship and Speedway Motorsports, Inc. that will bring rallycross events to NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and IZOD IndyCar race weekends at select venues throughout the 2012 season. This year's race at Charlotte Motor Speedway will follow the NASCAR Nationwide Series HISTORY 300 on Saturday, May 26. All HISTORY 300 ticketholders will be granted admission to the GRC event. The competitor pit area will be open before and after the race to give fans an up-close look at the high-performance rallycross cars.(CMS)(3-10-2012)

Charlotte starts first time fan program: Starting with the April 13-15 NHRA Four-Wide Nationals at zMAX Dragway and continuing through the May 19 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and May 27 Coca-Cola 600, first time fans will receive a special welcome kit designed to ensure they have the best experience possible at their first Charlotte Motor Speedway event. First time fans will also receive direct communication with tips from racing insiders, speedway staff and other race fans to help them make the most of their race-day experience. First time fans will receive an invitation to a Racing 101 seminar on the event day that provides additional information and the opportunity to ask questions directly of speedway staff. In addition, first time fans will have access to a special concierge who is able to answer questions and provide additional guidance for the fan with limited NASCAR or NHRA experience. Every first time fan welcome package includes a lanyard, hard card, decal, DVD, Fan Guide to Fun, special values, area information and more. New fans are automatically enrolled in the program when they purchase tickets.(CMS)(2-5-2012)

Blake Shelton to Perform Pre-Race Concert at All-Star Race: Blake Shelton, three-time Grammy nominee, CMA’s reigning Male Vocalist of the Year and a coach on NBC’s “The Voice,” will perform a pre-race concert for the 2012 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, May 19, at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Presented by Target, the concert will take place in the infield between Turns 1 and 2. Admission to the show is free with the purchase of a ticket to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race. Fans can purchase a special Golden Ticket upgrade for just $20 to secure a prime location with special access to a reserved area directly in front of the stage. Charlotte Motor Speedway Season Ticket holders will have first opportunity to purchase the upgrade before it opens to the public on Wednesday, Jan. 25, at noon. Approximately 2,000 Golden Tickets are available and can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). In February, Shelton will perform a duet of “America the Beautiful” with his wife, Grammy award-winning artist, Miranda Lambert, at Super Bowl XLVI.(CMS)(1-25-2012)

NASCAR Sprint Media Tour this week: More than 230 motorsports journalists from around the globe will descend upon the heart of NASCAR country on Monday for the 30th annual NASCAR Sprint Media Tour hosted by Charlotte Motor Speedway. What started as a 1983 "experiment" with a handful of media that struggled to fill one charter bus, the four-day Tour has evolved into the nation's premier preseason media event in professional sports. "The NASCAR Sprint Media Tour is four days of non-stop news and a great way for fans to hear the latest about their favorite teams just a few weeks before the start of the season," said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. "It's the Tour's 30th year and it's stronger than ever, with a record number of media coming to this year's event that features more than 20 stops throughout the four days. We're excited to host to such a fantastic and meaningful event." More than 20 stops will keep the participating media busy over the four-day tour including visits to Hendrick Motorsports, Michael Waltrip Racing, Richard Childress Racing and the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Defending NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champions Stewart-Haas Racing, plus Joe Gibbs Racing and Roush-Fenway Racing are among the many teams that will also be making announcements.(CMS)(1-23-2012)

Army Veteran to Star in Sprint All-Star Race Commercial: For former drill sergeant and United States Army all-star, Derek Heavener, of Huntington, W. Va., the dream of being a NASCAR All-Star has come true thanks to Charlotte Motor Speedway. Heavener, who wrote an essay detailing why he should be considered for the "Be an All-Star" Facebook contest, was selected as the grand prize winner from more than 500 entries. "I've served my country honorably in the United States Army for 19 years. I've been deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan and Kosovo and have stood shoulder to shoulder with some of the greatest all-stars of our time; the American soldier," wrote Heavener. Heavener won two tickets to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 19, pre-race pit passes, VIP parking for the race and a role in Charlotte Motor Speedway's 2012 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race commercial. He will join NASCAR stars Mark Martin, Paul Menard, Junior Johnson and the 2011 NASCAR Sprint All-Star race winner Carl Edwards on the set for a behind-the-scenes look at one of NASCAR's most creative commercials, shot in a replica Wild West town. 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Tony Stewart, SPEED TV personality Jeff Hammond and NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip also will star in the commercial.(CMS)(1-21-2012)

Charlotte Season Ticket Package Offers Fans Unmatched Value: Charlotte Motor Speedway is launching its new NASCAR season ticket package for 2012 and fans who attend the NASCAR Preview 2012 Presented by Sprint in Charlotte, N.C., on Saturday, Jan. 21, will have the first opportunity to purchase the new package and learn more about the speedway's 2012 fan amenities. The Charlotte Motor Speedway Season Ticket saves fans 15 percent on their favorite reserved seat to three spectacular NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events at the speedway: the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race, the Coca-Cola 600 and the Bank of America 500. Each season ticket also includes a trial membership to The Speedway Club and one free pit pass per account to the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 19. New for 2012, with each season ticket purchase fans will be automatically eligible for a chance to compete to win a 2012 Toyota Tundra, Highlander, Camry or Sienna minivan. The competition will take place on the infield grass during pre-race ceremonies for the May 27 Coca-Cola 600. For each dollar spent on season tickets, fans will receive one entry into the contest, which runs Jan. 21 through April 27. Also new for 2012, fans will receive a 1:24 scale collector diecast car of their favorite driver with the purchase of two Charlotte Motor Speedway Season Tickets, while supplies last. Season ticket holders receive access to exclusive events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, including press conferences and meet and greets with NASCAR personalities. The Charlotte Motor Speedway Season Ticket package offers more than $1,500 in benefits and includes:
• One free pit pass to the May 19 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.
• One free ticket to the North Carolina Education Lottery 200 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race on May 18, the May 24 LiftMaster Pole Night qualifying session for the Coca-Cola 600 and the Oct. 12 Dollar General 300 NASCAR Nationwide Series race.
• A six month Speedway Club trial social membership.
• Savings of 15% on tickets to all three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series races when seats for all three races are purchased.
• A 35% savings on additional pit passes and driver intro passes.
• A 10% discount on souvenirs at the Charlotte Motor Speedway Gift Shop on the second floor of Smith Tower.
• A 10% discount on NASCAR Hall of Fame entry and souvenirs and a 40 percent discount on NASCAR Hall of Fame simulator rides.
• VIP parking in a reserved lot for race weekends.
• A personalized seat plaque when the same seat is purchased for all three NASCAR Sprint Cup Series events.
• A limited edition lanyard and personalized identification hard card.
For more information or to purchase tickets, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267).(CMS)(1-18-2012)

Bruton Smith Honored at 2012 North Carolina Motorsports Industry Awards: Bruton Smith, founder and CEO of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., was honored Monday evening with the 2012 Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award from the North Carolina Motorsports Association. The honor was given to Smith before a large crowd of motorsports industry professionals at the 6th Annual North Carolina Motorsports Industry Awards presented by Senn Dunn Insurance at the Embassy Suites and Convention Center in Concord. Smith joins previous Tribute Award recipients Bill France Jr., Benny Parsons, Richard Petty, Richard Childress, Dale Earnhardt Sr., and Junior Johnson.
David Poole, longtime Charlotte Observer motorsports writer, was honored (posthumously) with the Media Recognition Award. The award was accepted by Poole's widow Katy [Poole] and Mike Persinger, Executive Sports Editor for the Charlotte Observer.
In addition, seven industry companies were awarded for their 2011 accomplishments and positive impacts to the Motorsports Industry:
• Bruton Smith, Achievement in Motorsports Tribute Award
• David Poole, Media Recognition Award
• G-Force Racing Gear
• Industrial Hard Carbon
• JRi Shocks
• Lake Norman Elementary School Pit Crew
• NASCAR Whelen All-American Series
• Racing Electronics
• Richmond County Tourism Authority
(NCMA))(1-18-2012)

Charlotte Motor Speedway to get 500-kw solar project: A Banner Elk solar developer plans to build a 500-kilowatt installation at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Eagle Electron Power Partners filed notice Wednesday [Dec 27th] with the N.C. Utilities Commission for a $2.9 million project that is expected to be operational in August. The power will be sold to Duke Energy . The renewable energy credits for the energy produced will also be sold, but the filing does not specify a buyer. The project will not be the first solar installation the speedway’s parent, Speedway Motorsports Inc. In June, Panasonic Corp. of North America completed a 350-kilowatt project at Speedway’s Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, CA. In Charlotte, Speedway has worked out a 20-year agreement with Eagle Electron for the installation, operation and maintenance of the solar project. There are options for renewals after that. The project will be ground-mounted and consist of more than 2,000 solar panels, each rated at 240 watts. It is expected to produce about 813,240 kilowatt hours of electricity annually. Eagle Electron has yet to get a building permit for the project, according to the filing. The Banner Elk company has created a separate limited liability company, Charlotte Motor Speedway Solar Plant, to own and operate the project.(Charlotte Business Journal)(1-3-2012)

Belk Bowl players lap Charlotte Motor Speedway: Football players from N.C. State and Louisville got a taste of the difference on Friday as members of both teams took turns taking mock qualifying runs around Charlotte Motor Speedway in cars provided by the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Friday's laps, pit stop practice and racing video games were the first of several activities for N.C. State and Louisville, which meet in the Belk Bowl on Tuesday night at Bank of America Stadium [in Charlotte NC]. Both teams practiced Friday at Charlotte area high schools. Head coaches and some players from each team will visit Levin Children's Hospital on Saturday morning to meet with sick children and spread some holiday cheer. For many players, the visit to CMS was their first up-close experience with NASCAR. Belk Bowl officials said as of Friday afternoon approximately 58,000 tickets had been sold for Tuesday night's game. The game is on track to be the highest attended non-sellout (the game sold out in 2002, 2004 and 2008). N.C. State has sold approximately 24,000 tickets to the game through the school.(Charlotte Observer)(12-24-2011)

Charlotte Motor Speedway Ticket Office Salesperson of the Year: Concord, N.C., resident, Jenni Bowden was named 2011 Salesperson of the Year in an awards ceremony that recognized sales representatives for their achievements in the Charlotte Motor Speedway ticket office. Bowden, a San Jose, Calif., native, has served in numerous positions at the speedway since getting her start in the ticket office in 1993. In her current position as Speedway Club sales account executive, Bowden sells Speedway Club memberships, as well as servicing current Speedway Club members with their ticket requests. As 2011 Salesperson of the Year, Bowden has earned a monetary prize, a trophy and a vacation package for two. The winner of the Salesperson of the Year Award was determined by a points system that awards employees for their ticket sales each month. At the end of the year, the points are added up and the individual with the highest total in each category wins the award.
Six other ticket office sales representatives received awards for their efforts in 2011. Amy Drake was named the Ticket Operations Employee of the Year. The Concord, N.C., native, has worked in the ticket office for 13 years and is currently the director of ticket operations.
The award for the Most Speedway Club Membership Sales went to Tabitha Bowden. A West Brookfield, Mass., native, Bowden got her start at the speedway in 2004 working in the Speedway Club.
The award for Most Up-Sells went to Kannapolis, N.C., resident, Jamie Johnson, who has been working at the speedway since 2008. The award recognizes the individual responsible for selling the most race day experience upgrades including pit passes, hospitality packages, driver introduction passes and more.
Charlotte, N.C., native, Angela Crisco was awarded the trophy for Most Outbound Call Dollars, which awards the individual who brought in the most money from outbound call sales. Crisco started working for the speedway in 1992 in the guest services and logistics department and has been working for the ticket services department for the past 13 years.
Ashley Helms, of Monroe, N.C., took home the award for Most Outbound Calls, which involves calling customers on behalf of Charlotte Motor Speedway. Helms has been with the speedway since 2007.
The Most Part-Time Outbound Call Dollars award went to Clarksville, Md., native, Bradley Carpenter. Carpenter started working part-time at the speedway in 2010 while he attends Belmont Abbey College as a motorsports management major.
Fans interested in purchasing tickets for 2012 events at Charlotte Motor Speedway can visit the award winners or any of the ticket office sales representatives located on the second floor of Smith Tower. Tickets are also available by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267) or by going online to charlottemotorspeedway.com.(CMS)(12-24-2011)

CMS and USO of NC to Host Inaugural Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration: More than 216,000 North Carolina residents served in Vietnam, and some 1,600 made the ultimate sacrifice in that war. Now, the USO of North Carolina and Charlotte Motor Speedway, with support from the North Carolina Association of Broadcasters, will honor their service with an incredible Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration for the military members and their friends and families at the Speedway Club at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Thursday, December 15, at 11 am. Vietnam veterans never received the type of homecoming celebration that today’s troops receive as they return from service. To honor those who served and the military members who returned from combat, the USO of North Carolina is holding a long, overdue homecoming celebration. Hosted by the USO of North Carolina and Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration 2012 is set to be an unforgettable experience featuring live entertainment, displays and demonstrations, military salutes, and much more!
Mr. David Kennerly, Pulitzer Prize Winning Vietnam Combat Photographer
Lt. Gen. Tom Waskow, Air Force, (Retired), Forward Air Controller, Republic of Vietnam
Col. Quincy Collins, Air Force, (Retired), Vietnam POW
Col. Charles Williams, U.S. Army, (Retired), Artillery Battery Commander and
Battalion Operations officer, 101st Airborne Division, Republic of Vietnam
Lt. Col. John Falkenbury, U.S. Army (Retired), President, USO of North Carolina
Danny Highsmith, President, North Carolina Association of Broadcasters
(VMG PR)(12-15-2011)

Charlotte Motor Speedway Looking for 2012 Fan Council Members: Are you passionate about Charlotte Motor Speedway, zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte? Let your voice be heard! The speedway is now accepting applications for the Charlotte Motor Speedway Fan Council. The Fan Council is used to gather feedback from a cross-section of fans to determine changes that need to be implemented to improve the fan experience at the speedway, drag strip and dirt track. Throughout the year, members of the Fan Council join speedway management for conference calls, participate in surveys after events, attend meetings at the speedway during NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and NHRA event weekends and participate in online fan forums. Those interested can download the application at charlottemotorspeedway.com/fans/fancouncil/. Applications are due Dec. 31.(CMS)(11-30-2011)

In the Charlotte, NC for the races? some cool places to check out that Jayski has been to an enjoyed since moving to the Charlotte area in January 2004:
Memory Lane Museum on Hwy 150 W in Mooresville, NC,
North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame Lakeside Park, Mooresville
And a must is the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Charlotte, checked it out in July 2010 and it is really cool
In October, For somerthing different: the Carolina Renaissance Festival is a blast, fun stuff and lots of good eats, I go every year, hmm...pumpkin beer...and the Tortuga Twins are a hoot!
SOME EATs: Lancaster's Bar-B=Que is a large place with a lot of NASCAR stuff all over the walls, also I enjoyed: Jeffrey's. In Huntersville check out Mickey & Mooches for great steaks and the huge chocolate cake
TEAM SHOPS: and to check out some team shops, see my Team Address page, on that page there are a few links for Race Shop Tours [click here].
Or drive up I-85 and head to [Richard] Childress Vineyards.
in Concord, check out the racing stuff at Quaker Steak and Lube for some great wings and food
and check out the Sam Bass Gallery, right near Charlotte Motor Speedway.
(this is not an ad and not looking for suggestions, just some things to helps folks in town)
ALSO: see my Racing Charities page and Driver Appearances page for driver appearances and more thing going on in the area.