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Hollywood spotlight shines on Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord in new movie

By Blaine Tolison, wsoctv.com
By Blaine Tolison, wsoctv.com

CONCORD, N.C. — NASCAR is back on the big screen. This time in the movie 'Logan Lucky,’ which came out in theaters Thursday nationwide.

Racing is the backdrop for the film about an elaborate scheme to steal money from the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

"It should be good fun. There's some big names in it. It's a crazy story,” said racing fan John Lacrosse.

"Just to be like, 'Hey I’ve been there. I know where that's at.' It's really cool,” fan Kelli Sakoman said.

It was just last week, the star of the movie, Channing Tatum, was captured on video dancing inside in a Statesville convenience store.

Speedway leaders won't say how the criminals actually move the money at the Speedway, but they did explain how the movie is not only good for the Speedway. It's good for NASCAR as well.

"When Hollywood, the country and the world sees this. It's just an exceptional stage,” Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice-President Greg Walter said.

'Logan Lucky' is giving the Speedway and its biggest race of the year, the Coca-Cola 600, major exposure.

It comes at a time when NASCAR’s most popular driver, Dale Earnhardt Jr., is retiring this season. Channel 9 has also reported on the decrease in seats at the Charlotte Motor Speedway and how the NASCAR Hall of Fame in Uptown didn't meet expectations after it was built.

But now, people everywhere will see the passion from loyal NASCAR fans, who were extras in the film.

"It's tough for anybody to replicate the kind of fans we have, the passion they have for the sport, the passion they have for the drivers,” Walter said.

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