Coca-Cola 600
Head to North Carolina this Memorial Day Weekend for the Coca-Cola 600, where you can watch the races and camp with hundreds of race fans.
Event information
Charlotte, North Carolina has been a racing town since 1960 when Charlotte Motor Speedway was built by O. Bruton Smith with the help of partner Curtis Turner. The two race car drivers designed and built their dream racetrack then held the first World 600 race, which is part of the NASCAR Cup Series and now titled the Coca-Cola 600. After a rocky beginning and several setbacks, the track became a great success and was the only track in the US to have year-round living space with 40 condominiums atop Turn 1.
Besides the condos, the speedway also dedicated some of their 2,000 acres to seven different campgrounds for its fans to enjoy. They even have a family campground specifically for those who are camping with children. The speedway itself is more than just a track, though. The track boasts two one-fifth ovals, a six-tenth mile karting track, a 2.28-mile 17-turn oval, the 2.25-mile road course, and a 1.5-mile quad-oval.
With the state-of-the-art lighting system, an amazing array of vendors with fantastic food and awesome merchandise, and tons of extra activities, you’ll definitely have plenty to do and see here. Grab your family and friends and hit the road on Memorial Day Weekend. The Coca-Cola 600 is an experience that you won’t want to miss. In fact, you’ll likely want to make it an annual tradition. The kids will love it too with the Play Zone, which has face painting, activities, bounce houses, and even a petting zoo.
Tickets
In the past, tickets for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway have gone for $50 to $140 for grandstand tickets to Weekend Passes starting at $200, which include all kinds of extras. Kids 13 and under are typically about $10 with a paying adult. Camping is separate and usually runs around $125 for a standard site all the way up to $1,100 for a five-day camping resort pass. Of course, if you buy a package that has camping plus tickets, you may get a better deal.
Explore Coca-Cola 600 RV Rentals
Transportation
Driving
On US-29, less than 20 miles from the City of Charlotte where you can visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame, you can find Charlotte Motor Speedway in the southwestern area of North Carolina. I-485 circles Charlotte and connects with many of the roadways that lead to US-29. Traffic can be hectic in the city during rush hour on weekdays, so get to the track early to avoid the rush.
Parking areas
If you are not camping at Charlotte Motor Speedway, don’t worry. There are more than two dozen public parking areas, many of which are free of charge. Of course, there are quite a few VIP and other special parking areas during the Coca-Cola 600 where you can park for a fee, and there are a few private paid parking lots as well.
Public Transportation
Charlotte Motor Speedway has got you covered for public transportation in and around the track. Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) and Concord Kannapolis Area Transit (CK Ryder) team up to help provide bus and light rail services uptown and back. CK Rider Shuttles are available at some area locations as well, or you can always call a taxi or use a rideshare app.
Where to stay
Onsite
With over 3,000 campsites, you're likely to find something you like here. Camping World Racing Resort has 392 sites with full hookups, a playground, a pond, several bathhouses and restrooms, a laundromat, and a dog park. These sites can accommodate rigs up to 50 feet long with back-ins and pull-throughs as well as picnic tables, BBQ pits, and Wi-Fi.
The HDTV Infield has 29 electric sites that can handle rigs up to 45 feet long. North Infield has 20 sites without utilities that fit RVs up to 40 feet long. South Infield is tent only camping on the grass. The Tim Flock Campground has room for motorhomes up to 50 feet long and has three sections.
Turn 4 Family Campground is one of the most popular with over 1,300 sites that can accommodate rigs up to 45 feet long. Rock City Campground has over 1,500 campsites that can handle RVs up to 50 feet long. So, you should have no trouble finding a spot for your rig.
Nearby
If you cannot find a spot at Charlotte Motor Speedway, you might be looking for something a bit more secluded. Luckily, there are quite a few campgrounds within a 15-mile radius where you can find plenty of secluded and peaceful campsites.
Whether you want to camp in the woods or near the water, with utilities or without, you can find what you are looking for in and around Charlotte. Charlotte / Fort Mill KOA is about a half-hour from the track and has over 100 sites that can accommodate rigs up to 60 feet. They have all the bells and whistles here from a pool to a dog park and even a mini-golf area. Sites have full hookups as well.
Getting around
Charlotte Motor Speedway offers free tram service to everyone. This tram circles the track until after the race, and the stops include several of the main gates as well as the major areas like the parking lots and concession areas. Also, several of the campgrounds provide their own shuttle services to and from the track. Of course, walking is good, too. You get to see more of the attractions and fun if you are on foot, so bring your comfy shoes along.
What to pack
Clothing
Coca-Cola 600 fans can expect hot weather and possibly rain in Charlotte the whole month of May, so pack your cool summer duds. Toss in some shorts, tank tops, and flip flops, as well as some jeans, t-shirts, and closed-toe shoes. You can wear sandals around the campsite and other places, but you may want to wear more protective (and comfortable) shoes while at the track.
Gear
Bring all your campground gear such as a campfire grill or BBQ pit, camp chairs, and citronella candles for the campsite. You may need different gear depending on which campground you are staying at since they vary as to what they offer for amenities. When you hit the track, bring the bare minimum because you don’t want to have to carry around heavy bags all day. How are you going to carry your burger and beer? You can put some items like a camera and binoculars in a small backpack if you need to, but remember that bags will be searched, so this will slow you down at the entrance.
Health & Safety
Charlotte Motor Speedway has several first-aid stations, but you would do well to bring your own personal first aid items like sunscreen and bug repellent. If you have any medication that you usually take, bring that along as well. A hat and sunglasses will work great for keeping the sun out of your eyes. If you don’t have a hat, you can show off your style by picking up a hat with your favorite driver’s name on it at the Fan Zone souvenir tent. Have plenty of H20 on hand as well, so you don’t get dehydrated.
Where to eat
Cooking
Several of the campgrounds at the track have campfire rings with grates to cook on, and some even have BBQ pits for the public to use. However, it is always good to bring your own grill or camp stove just in case. If you choose to camp at a spot with utilities, you can cook indoors. But you don’t want to spend all your time inside cooking during the Coca-Cola 600, so make your meals ahead of time and freeze them for fast and easy reheating.
Restaurants
Whether you are hungry for a big fat steak or want to grab some food at the drive-through window of a fast-food joint, you’ll have plenty of places to choose from within about two miles of Charlotte Motor Speedway. If it’s Thai food you like, that is less than two miles away. And if you want some comfort food, there is a grille that boasts southern comfort foods less than 1.5 miles from the track.
Vendors
Charlotte Motor Speedway itself has its own concessions where you can get hot dogs, burgers, and nachos. They also have several vendors that sell pizza, fried chicken, and funnel cakes topped with M&Ms. They even have deep-fried spaghetti on a stick! And you can wash all that down with a frosty soft drink or beer. Some fans claim that the track's food is the best part of the weekend.
Safety
Security
The track, as well as the campgrounds, have 24-hour security from a professional security company. You won’t have to worry about safety with these professionals on the job. And if you see anything that concerns you, grab a nearby associate. Also, do not hesitate to call 911 if needed. Charlotte Motor Speedway wants you to enjoy your experience at the Coca-Cola 600 and will make sure everyone stays safe, too.
Weather
Well, if you like the heat, North Carolina will give it to you at the end of May. The average highs are in the middle 90s while the lows only drop down to the lower 60s. Stray thunderstorms are also a possibility, so bring a raincoat or poncho and an umbrella. Any rain may be a blessing after being in the 90-degree weather all day, but keep an eye on the forecast for stormy weather.
Medical
In the event of an injury or illness, the track has EMS professionals who can help. In fact, there are several first aid stations, including one near the garage on the infield and another by Gate 3 behind the Chrysler VIP suites 101-118. If you need a medical facility, the closest ones are near I-485, about five miles to the southwest.
