News

Bank of America 500 kicks off Saturday

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There's so much to do during race week at Charlotte Motor Speedway besides watching NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup drivers battling it out on the track.

Before the green flag drops, fans can enjoy a full week of activities from a Bandolero race featuring some of the women of NASCAR and the Ultimate Fan Track Walk around the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway to a death-defying sky walk by world-famous high wire act Nik Wallenda and a prerace concert with the Goo Goo Dolls.

Channel 9 has highlighted a lot of the events happening on and off the track that you won't want to miss.

Thursday, October 10 at 7:10 p.m.

Bojangles' Pole Night/UNOH Southern Slam 150/Better Half Dash

Charlotte Motor Speedway

The stars of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series compete for the top starting spot for the Bank of America 500.  Also on Bojangles' Pole Night, the Whelen Southern Modified Tour will battle it out on the frontstretch quarter-mile in the UNOH Southern Slam 150 and the wives of NASCAR's finest will compete in the third annual Better Half Dash for charity and bragging rights.  The 25-lap Bandolero race benefiting Motor Racing Outreach and Speedway Children's Charities is sure to excite fans of all ages.

Friday, October 11 at 7:30 p.m.

NASCAR Nationwide Series Dollar General 300

Charlotte Motor Speedway

The Dollar General 300 features the NASCAR Nationwide Series regulars in a Friday night slugfest under the lights at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Saturday, October 12 at 7:30 p.m.

NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Bank of America 500

Charlotte Motor Speedway

The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series comes home to the Mecca of motorsports.  Sparks will fly and points will be at a premium in this 500-mile battle that could make or break someone’s championship hopes.  It's the only Saturday night race in the Chase, and it's right in NASCAR's backyard.

Ultimate Fan Track Walk

Before the NASCAR Sprint Cup stars hit the speedway for the Bank of America 500, the track will light up with a variety of prerace entertainment.  Fans can start their race day off right by helping raise money for Speedway Children’s Charities and walking the track with NASCAR drivers like J.J. Yeley and Josh Wise.  The track walk begins at 1:20 p.m. Tickets are only $20 in advance or $25 the day of the event and kids 13 and under get to walk for free.  Don’t miss the chance to see Charlotte Motor Speedway the way the stars of NASCAR see it.

Prerace Entertainment

Fans will have their breath taken away by several prerace acts and can also rock out to an outstanding concert.  The Goo Goo Dolls and opening act Paper Tongues will entertain fans in the Fast Cars and Guitars prerace concert presented by Bad Boy Buggies.  Also, Nik Wallenda and his sister Lijana will perform a death-defying dual skywalk over the frontstretch, and an illuminated 11-plane flyover by Team Aerodynamix will kick off the fun for fans.

Additional Events:

Fourth Annual Kasey Kahne Foundation "Five Kahne" 5K and Kids Dash

Uptown Charlotte

Sunday, October 13 at 9 a.m.

Join NASCAR driver Kasey Kahne for his 4th Annual "Five Kahne" 5K and Kids Dash presented by Great Clips to raise funds for the Kasey Kahne Foundation to support the Ronald McDonald House and student field trips to the NASCAR Hall of Fame.  The start and finish lines as well as the Five Kahne Race Fest will be at the NASCAR Hall of Fame Plaza in Uptown Charlotte.

The NASCAR Hall of Fame will have extended operating hours in October:

Friday, October 11 open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Saturday, October 12 open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Sunday, October 13 open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Below is a complete guide to events and activities leading up to the event.

Thursday:

  • 11:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. - practice
  • 1:00 p.m. - 1:45 p.m. - final practice
  • 3:30 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. - practice
  • 6:10 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. - final practice

Friday:

  • 3:00 p.m. - 3:55 p.m. - practice
  • 5:50 p.m. - 6:50 p.m. - final practice

Saturday:

  • 1:20 p.m. - 2:50 p.m. - Speedway Children's charity Track Walk
  • 3:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. - Jeff Taylor Band
  • 4:30 p.m. - 5:15 p.m. - Paper Tongues concert
  • 5:30 p.m. - 6:15 p.m. - Goo Goo Dolls concert
  • 6:40 p.m. - Pre-race stunt with Nik Wallenda
  • 6:50 p.m. - Driver introductions
  • 7:30pm - Bank of America 500

For a full list of events and activities for the Bank of America 500, visit: http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/tickets/bank_of_america_500/

Don't forget to visit GoCarolinas for more on local events here