Charlotte Motor Speedway opens up for Hurricane Dorian evacuees

CONCORD, N.C — The owners of North Carolina's largest motor-racing track made part of its grounds near Charlotte available for hurricane evacuees.

The Charlotte Motor Speedway said Monday a campground and related bathhouse is open at no cost for people looking for inland destinations away from the expected coastal impact zone.

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The speedway opening for evacuees is something it usually does every time there's a major hurricane impacting the Southeast.

Channel 9 spoke with two people who sought refuge at the speedway who were from different parts of Florida and on family road trips.

"We figured why go back? Why don't we go over to Charlotte and hang there instead of riding it out," Joe Yeckel said.

A spokesperson for the speedway said Tuesday that 28 campsites were occupied by Hurricane Dorian evacuees, with about 60 people on site. Nearly 30 more reservations were made and those people are expected to arrive starting Wednesday.

Nearly everyone who has arrived so far has chosen to stay at the Camping World Racing Resort Campground in front of zMAX Dragway. While the majority are from Florida, they have also taken in evacuees from Georgia and the Carolinas.

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Evacuees are asked to check in at the Camping World Racing Resort office (6600 Bruton Smith Boulevard, Concord), which can be accessed at the entrance to zMAX Dragway. After-hours check-ins can be made in the camping section on the speedway's website. Guests can also reach the camping office by phone at 704-455-4445.

Cox Media Group