The Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour at Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of the best behind-the-scenes experiences in the greater Charlotte area, and it’s open all year.
In about an hour, your family will ride the famous 24-degree banking, cruise Pit Road, visit the NASCAR Cup Series garage, stop in Winner’s Circle for a photo, and explore both zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte. It runs weekdays with multiple departure times, costs $20 per person, and is the kind of outing families talk about for weeks afterward. Crystal took her family and she has all the details in this story.
Think Charlotte Motor Speedway is only exciting on race weekends? Think again.
Just a short drive from Uptown Charlotte, Charlotte Motor Speedway is packed with year-round experiences for NASCAR fans, families, and even future race car drivers. The Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour takes you where very few visitors ever get to go, and it’s one of those outings your family will be talking about long after you leave.
Quick Facts: Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour
- Where: Charlotte Motor Speedway, 5555 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027
- Tour: Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour
- When: Monday through Saturday; departures at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. Sundays are group tours only.
- Duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
- Cost: $20 per person
- Waiver: Required for all participants; those under 18 need a signed parental waiver (call 704-455-3223 for details)
- Note: You are responsible for providing your own car seat for young children
- Check in: Tour Desk, second floor of Smith Tower
- Phone: 704-455-3223
- Drive from Uptown Charlotte: About 25 minutes
- Drive from Greenville, SC: Under 2 hours
Get Closer to the Action
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Most fans only see Charlotte Motor Speedway from the grandstands. The Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour takes you somewhere much better.
Hop aboard a guided tour van and experience what makes this legendary track so special. During the approximately one-hour weekday tour, you’ll:
- Ride around the famous 1.5-mile superspeedway and feel the incredible 24-degree banking
- Drive through a chicane and two infield road courses
- Cruise down iconic Pit Road
- Visit the NASCAR Cup Series garage area
- Stand in Winner’s Circle, where racing legends have celebrated victories since the 1960s
- Explore both zMAX Dragway and The Dirt Track at Charlotte
- Hear fascinating stories about the history of Charlotte Motor Speedway from your guide
The smaller group setting makes this a much more personal experience than attending a race. You’ll get behind-the-scenes access, photo stops that most visitors never see, and plenty of chances to ask your guide questions along the way. Guides share fun facts about the sport and the speedway’s history throughout, so even non-fans come away genuinely fascinated.
For the Talladega Nights Fans
“If you ain’t first, you’re last.”
Fans of Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby will love discovering that much of the movie’s racing action was filmed right here at Charlotte Motor Speedway. During the tour, you’ll even see the section of the track where Ricky Bobby famously ran out onto the speedway.
It’s a fun stop that makes the tour genuinely appealing to families who aren’t diehard NASCAR followers, and a great way to hook kids on motorsports with something they already know and love.
Tip: Arrive a little early before your tour departure and stop by the Gift Shop on your way in. It’s open Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and carries exclusive track merchandise you can’t find anywhere else. Pick up a souvenir before the excitement starts!
Planning more Charlotte adventures? Bookmark this: 75+ Things to Do in Charlotte, NC: Fun Days Start Here
Beyond the Tour & More Than Just Race Weekends
Charlotte Motor Speedway has something happening all year long, not just when the NASCAR flag drops.
Race weekends are legendary, of course. One of the biggest is the Bank of America ROVAL 400 each October, when NASCAR’s best drivers take on the challenging road course that combines the oval with the infield circuit. If you can build a visit around a race weekend, the energy of the entire campus is something you have to experience at least once.
But even between race weekends, the speedway stays lively. Babette Huitt, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Tour Manager, puts it well: “There’s always something happening around the facility, including cars testing, driving experiences on track, crews working, and events being set up, so every visit feels alive.” That means no two tours are exactly alike, and returning visitors regularly spot something new.
Charlotte Motor Speedway also offers event camping during race weekends as well as year-round camping for dedicated racing fans who want to stay close to the action.
STEAM Adventures Kids Will Actually Love
Charlotte Motor Speedway isn’t just about the thrill of speed. It also offers one of the more genuinely impressive educational experiences in the region.
The daily STEAM program weaves motorsports into Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Mathematics through hands-on learning stations. Students and kids explore concepts like force and motion, energy, engineering, and design through interactive activities that bring classroom lessons to life in a way a textbook never could.
One of the biggest highlights? Kids even get to build and race their own creations before climbing aboard a tour van to feel the famous 24-degree banking for themselves.
Want to know what its lke to visit on a race weekend at the ZMAX Dragway? We did, too! So we went, and it was fabulous.
Check out ZMAX Dragway on race weekend!
Where Future Race Car Drivers Get Their Start
Did you know that some of tomorrow’s NASCAR stars start racing before they’re even in elementary school?
Charlotte Motor Speedway is home to a purpose-built, 13-turn, 0.65-mile karting track built to world championship specifications. Young drivers can begin learning racing fundamentals as early as age five before progressing through Bandolero and Legend Car racing, the same development path many professional drivers have followed on their way to NASCAR. For families with aspiring racers, it’s a fascinating look at how future champions begin their journey.
Plan Your Visit
Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of the most accessible big-ticket day trips in the Carolinas, no matter where you’re starting from.
From Charlotte, you’re about 25 minutes from Uptown, making this one of the easiest “big experience” attractions in the region. It’s close enough for a quick morning tour, an afternoon STEAM visit, or a fun add-on to a staycation weekend.
From Greenville, SC, it’s just under a 2-hour drive, which puts it firmly in day-trip territory. Families in the Upstate can easily pair the Speedway with nearby Concord or Charlotte attractions for a full day of fun.
Tours operate rain or shine, which is great news for families who struggle to plan around unpredictable weather. All participants under 18 need a parental waiver, and you’re responsible for bringing your own car seat if your young child needs one. All on-track events are subject to track availability.
Reserve your spot by calling the Tour Desk at 704-455-3223 or stopping by Smith Tower when you arrive. The Tour Desk is on the second floor.
Good to know: If you want to make a full afternoon of it, The Speedway Club inside Charlotte Motor Speedway serves lunch and dinner with a stunning panoramic view of the track. Reservations are recommended; call 704-455-3216 for details.
More Photos From Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour
Heading to Concord from Charlotte for a longer outing? See our full roundup: The Ultimate Guide to Day Trips Near Charlotte, NC
Frequently Asked Questions About the Charlotte Motor Speedway Tour
How much does the Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour cost?
The tour costs approximately $20 per person. Call 704-455-3223 or check the official website before your visit for the most current rate.
What days and times does the Feel the Thrill Tour run?
Tours run Monday through Saturday with departures at 9:30 a.m., 10:30 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 1:30 p.m., 2:30 p.m., and 3:30 p.m. On Sundays, only group tours are available. Tours operate rain or shine, though on-track events are subject to track availability.
Is the Feel the Thrill Tour good for young kids?
Yes! The tour is family-friendly for all ages. Kids under 18 need a signed parental waiver before boarding. If your young child needs a car seat, you’ll need to bring your own.
Do I need to reserve in advance?
You can call the Tour Desk at 704-455-3223 to reserve a spot, or simply stop by the second floor of Smith Tower when you arrive. Walk-ins are often available, but reservations are a smart move during busy seasons or race weeks.
Is Charlotte Motor Speedway worth visiting when there’s no race?
Absolutely. The Feel the Thrill Speedway Tour, the STEAM program, the karting track, and year-round camping make it a worthwhile destination any day of the week. There’s always activity on the speedway campus between race weekends.
Ready to explore even more of the Charlotte area? Our big guide has you covered: 75+ Things to Do in Charlotte, NC: Fun Days Start Here
Got kids who love cars?
We have the list for you: Things to Do With Kids Who Love Cars Across the Carolinas
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