December 15, 2017
These bucket list-worthy gift options are once-in-a-lifetime experiences you can enjoy side-by-side. Choose your adventure, and then plan a trip to “Where Racing Lives” together!
Commemorative Brick at Dale Earnhardt Tribute Plaza
Allow the race fan in your life to become a permanent part of the plaza that immortalizes NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt, Sr. Customize an engraved brick in any way you choose, then plan a trip to see it in person. The plaza is located in Earnhardt’s hometown of Kannapolis, North Carolina in a serene courtyard in downtown where a nine-foot, 900-pound statue is a must-see for fans of “The Intimidator.” Add to your itinerary with other significant locations across Cabarrus County tell the story of Earnhardt’s life and legendary NASCAR career including Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Ride-Along at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Put the adrenaline junkies on your list behind the wheel of a real stock car. Nothing will compare to strapping in and speeding off like the stars at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Junior ride-alongs for kids ages six to 13 offer an opportunity to ride shotgun in a real NASCAR race car with a professional racing instructor. Add to the experience with stops at NASCAR Race Shops including the Hendrick Motorsports Museum & Team Store and Stewart-Haas Racing, based just minutes from the track.
Tickets to Can’t-Miss Motorsports Events
Charlotte Motor Speedway’s event calendar always has us bursting with excitement and anticipation. First, the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals return in April with 40,000 horsepower and four lanes of fun. Then, the pre-race festivities and racing action during the Coca-Cola 600 is the perfect way to spend Memorial Day. Charlotte Motor Speedway made history in September 2018 as the 1.5-mile oval was transformed into a 17-turn, 2.28-mile road course-oval hybrid for the inaugural running of the Bank of America ROVAL 400, the first road-course playoff race in NASCAR Cup Series history. Gift an experience and be a part of the action.
Tour of Southern Grace Distilleries
Motorsports is rooted in moonshine. NASCAR began during the Prohibition Era when “moonshine runners” delivered illegal whiskey with supped up cars and reputations for outsmarting and outdriving the law. Now the official state sport of North Carolina, the storied history of stock car racing continues to grow within our county lines. For a taste of that history, Southern Grace Distilleries is crafting small-batch bourbon in a setting you won’t soon forget. Housed inside the former Cabarrus Correctional Facility, “Whiskey Prison” offers tours and tastings of their award-winning whiskey.
Ready, Set, Plan
Whatever experience the motorsports fan on your list will love most, we’re here help you plan. Browse the Cabarrus County, NC Destination Guide to start exploring all there is to do and see in between the heart-pounding adventure ahead.
