CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- One year before opening, the future NASCAR Hall of Fame is still a massive metal and concrete shell.

But some of the attractions are already taking shape. A 53-foot-long car transporter was recently installed, and now the building is being constructed around it. It will let people see how race teams do their work.

"This is the locker room that the race teams have at the race track. Plus, it's how they get the cars to the track," said Winston Kelley, the executive director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

Eyewitness News asked if the tough economy is affecting the financing of the building, which comes from a 2 percent hotel/motel tax.

"The city did a very good job in doing a conservative model to anticipate that we're going to have up cycles and down cycles in the hospitality industry," Kelley explained.

But about half of the sponsorships still have to be sold. Kelley said he's sure the hall will get them, and right now officials are in discussions with potential sponsors, but cannot say who.

"Companies are being a lot more deliberate and selective with the economy like it is, but our bank partners are also very understanding and realize that we've got a loan that we will pay back through the sponsorships over time," Kelley said.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame is still scheduled to open in May of next year. Outside organizations will be able to rent the facility. The first convention on the books is for the National Rifle Association. It expects to bring 60,000 people next May.