Local

ROAD CLOSURES: Thousands fill uptown Charlotte for Speed Street.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — There’s a little something for everyone to enjoy at the event, whether you’re a diehard NASCAR fan or simply like the atmosphere the sport brings.

“I just really enjoy the atmosphere here,” said Keith Slone, who lives in Charlotte. “And I’ve always loved NASCAR.”

Slone is one of many people attending Sunday’s race, the Coca-Cola 600, which is expected to bring thousands of people to the Charlotte area.  At least 200,000 people are expected to attend Speed Street alone over the weekend.

The city declared Speed Street an extraordinary event.

People who spoke with Channel 9 said they appreciated the added visibility of the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department as they enjoyed the vendors, food trucks and entertainment.

“It’s great to bring my niece here,” said one woman from Charlotte. “We have balloon animals, food and she tried the bouncy house.”

Some of the most popular booths centered on the NASCAR drivers. Fans had the opportunity to try race simulators in some of the cars.

“I wouldn’t make a good NASCAR driver,” laughed Eric Bagwell, who also plans to attend Sunday’s race.

Speed Street events run throughout the weekend.

Road closures:

Set up for Circle K and Kangaroo Speed Street in uptown Charlotte will begin Wednesday for the three-day festival that kicks off Thursday.

Officials expect 250,000 fans who will attend the 22nd annual festival that brings live entertainment, exhibits and more for race fans.

CLICK for Speed Street map

Street closures for the following streets begin Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and will remain closed until Sunday at 8 a.m.

  • Tryon Street between Trade Street and Fourth Street
  • Tryon Street between Fourth Street and Third Street
  • Tryon Street between Third Street and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard
  • Tryon Street between Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard and Levine Avenue of the Arts
  • Tryon Street between Levine Avenue of the Arts and Stonewall Street
  • Levine Avenue of the Arts between Church Street and Tryon Street
  • At 6:30 p.m., one lane at 500 South Tryon Street between Levine Avenue of the Arts and Stonewall Street will open for the Green deck to exit.

The following streets will close on Thursday

  • 9 a.m.: Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Church Street and College Street (lanes open to access loading dock at Wells Fargo)
  • 9:30 a.m.: Fourth Street between Church Street and College Street
  • 9:30 a.m.: Third Street between Church Street and College Street
  • 6 p.m.: Two lanes of College Street between Stonewall Street and 500 S. College Street parking deck.
  • 6:30 p.m.: College Street exit of the Green.

Press "PLAY" to see how to get around the Speed Street road closures:

On Friday at 9:30 a.m., the following streets will be closed and will remain closed until Sunday at 8 a.m.

  • Fourth Street between Church Street and College Street
  • Third Street between Church Street and College Street
  • Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard between Church Street and College Street

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com:

Cox Media Group

Most Read