Gov. Pat McCrory Proclaims May is Motorsports Month in North Carolina

Each May, the spotlight shines on Charlotte Motor Speedway during the 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder, and Gov. Pat McCrory joined speedway officials Friday to officially proclaim May is Motorsports Month in North Carolina and recognize the speedway’s impact on tourism, the economy and jobs across the region.

The biggest back-to-back weekends in motorsports, highlighted by the 30th anniversary of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on May 16 and the 56th running of the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24, will generate an estimated economic impact of $230 million to the Charlotte region and support an estimated 4,200 jobs. Annually, the speedway contributes more than $451 million in economic impact and supports more than 8,000 jobs across the region, part of a $6 billion annual economic impact by motorsports statewide. 

As part of the kickoff event, McCrory presented a proclamation noting that May is Motorsports Month in North Carolina and encouraged fans to celebrate the races at Charlotte Motor Speedway and the motorsports heritage of the state. 

“This was a big dream that became a big reality,” McCrory said, applauding speedway founder Bruton Smith’s vision for the facility. “I’m so proud that we’re the center of NASCAR. This is all about jobs and having fun. That’s what racing is all about – great entertainment and bringing jobs to North Carolina. This is the centerpiece of racing throughout the world and we’re proud to be part of it.”

In a sign of the significant impact motorsports has on the state, McCrory was joined at the kickoff event by Concord Mayor Scott Padgett, Charlotte Mayor Pro Tem Michael Barnes, North Carolina Department of Commerce Secretary John Skavarla and dozens more state and local officials and business leaders.
Following the program, McCrory and several of the other leaders “got to work” painting the start/finish line to represent the thousands of jobs supported by the speedway’s May events.

Fans from all 50 states, 15 foreign countries and more than 3,200 cities around the world will descend upon Charlotte Motor Speedway in May, with millions of additional fans tuning in to NASCAR broadcasts aired in more than 175 countries worldwide.

“May 1st is like Christmas for us here at Charlotte Motor Speedway,” said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway. “We had no idea what my dad, Bruton Smith, was thinking when he came out here and started digging some dirt to build Charlotte Motor Speedway. I’m not sure he knew how big this would be, but 56 years later, here we are ready to complete the 30th anniversary of the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race and the 56th annual Coca-Cola 600. 

“When you think about all the activities that happen here during the 10 Days of NASCAR Thunder, it is an amazing tourism extravaganza. It is something that every NASCAR fan has on their bucket list.”

The $99 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race weekend pass includes frontstretch tickets for the N.C. Education Lottery Camping World Truck Series race and Sprint Showdown on Friday, May 15; plus the no-speed-limit NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race qualifying, a rocking pre-race concert with country mega-group Little Big Town, presented by Rayovac, and capped off with a blockbuster shootout for $1 million at the NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race on Saturday, May 16.

The Coca-Cola 600 weekend package includes tickets to see the stars of NASCAR hit the track to lay down the fastest lap during LiftMaster Pole Night on Thursday, May 21; a Saturday afternoon showdown as the NASCAR XFINITY Series drivers battle it out in the Hisense 300 on May 23; and culminates with the historic 56th running of one of NASCAR’s most prestigious events, the Cola-Cola 600, complete with a pre-race concert by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer group ZZ Top on Sunday, May 24, all for just $99.

Tickets can be purchased online or by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267).

Keep up with all the latest news from the speedway by liking Charlotte Motor Speedway on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, or download the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.

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