Sector Facts

Fast Facts

What started out as modified automobiles outrunning police while transporting illegal alcohol from stills to customers has become a major American pastime.

Over the years, an economic cluster  of more than 700 motorsports-related companies has evolved in the Charlotte region, creating a close network of race teams, suppliers, educational facilities, and research & development, all specifically focused on NASCAR racing. Today, motorsports is a $6 billion dollar industry in North Carolina and Charlotte USA is its heart. A major manufacturing and distribution hub, our region dominates the industry, a position that was firmly solidified when the NASCAR Hall of Fame opened in Uptown Charlotte in 2010.

Hollywood, too, recognizes Charlotte USA's position as NASCAR central, filming Days of Thunder, IMAX NASCAR and Talladega Nights in this area. The Charlotte Motor Speedway even hosted the worldwide premiere of Disney’s CARS. 

• 90 percent of all NASCAR teams headquartered within 50 miles of Charlotte

• Home of NASCAR Hall of Fame, which includes an exhibition hall, convention center and adjacent office tower

• Three state-of-the-art wind tunnels in the region

• Racing venues include:

Charlotte Motor Speedway
Concord Motorsports Park
Hickory Motor Speedway
zMax Dragway

 • More than $5 billion annual economic impact to regional economy from motorsports

• University sports marketing programs geared specifically to motorsports teams

• North Carolina Motorsports and Automotive Research Center at UNC Charlotte

Recent Announcements

• Opening of NASCAR Hall of Fame, a  $200 million state-of-the-art facility that highlights 60 years of memorabilia through the display of historic race cars, 154 video screens, racing simulators and interactive activities
• Camber Ridge, an R&D tire-testing facility financed by a consortium of auto and motorsports companies that will help the industry meet 2011 federal electronic stability control requirements
• Hof Textiles, a leading producer of nonwoven fabrics for the automotive industry, $1.5 million expansion of its Lincolnton facility, adding 16 employees
• zMax Dragway hosting two additional events in NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series, adding to an already robust motorsports lineup at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Reports &  Profiles

• Overview of motorsports sector
• Profile of motorsports Industry in North Carolina, 2007 (Prepared by The University of North Carolina at Charlotte’s Professor John Connoughton, Belk College of Business, Department of Economics)