Charlotte Motor Speedway is gearing up for an OktoberFast festival of racing, with Bank of America 500 Week just days away. As a part of the ongoing Fans First initiative at Charlotte Motor Speedway, visitors can expect plenty of recently-added amenities, events, displays and upgrades at The Greatest Place to See the Race. Below is a sampling of what’s new for October.
Facility Enhancements
New Fan Zone Combines Souvenir Rigs, Powerade PlayZone, Interactive Displays
The most noticeable upgrade at Charlotte Motor Speedway this October will take place outside the track in the reconfigured Fan Zone, located outside Turns 1 and 2 near the speedway’s main entrance. The Fan Zone will now include the popular souvenir rigs, which were previously located across Highway 29. This move will alleviate some of the Highway 29 pedestrian foot traffic on race day and make it more convenient for fans to find and buy their favorite driver’s gear. The Fan Zone will also include the enhanced Powerade PlayZone, which will be located across from Gate 6, conveniently located for parents adjacent to the restrooms. The Powerade PlayZone will feature a Ferris wheel, racing-themed inflatable slides, bounce houses, face painters, balloon twisters, jugglers and a special Kazoobie Kazoo program on Friday, Oct. 14, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Santa Claus will also stop by the Powerade PlayZone for an early holiday visit. The new Fan Zone will also include popular corporate trackside displays and live entertainment, including the Sprint Experience and SPEED Stage. Renovated Restrooms on the Frontstretch
The restrooms on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s frontstretch concourse received a renovation over the summer that included several upgrades. All of the toilets and sinks in the men’s and women’s restrooms were replaced, and new flush valves were installed to increase the overall efficiency of the facilities. The restroom floors and walls also received a fresh coat of paint. Tickets and Upgrades
New Smoke-Free Section, Expanded Family Seating Section Tickets Now Available
Charlotte Motor Speedway is offering a new smoke-free seating option for the Bank of America 500 on Oct. 15. Alcohol is permitted, but the Ford Grandstand, New Veranda and Club Deck and Upper Terrace Sections AA-G located on the frontstretch are now smoke-free. Also, the Family Seating Section, which is smoke-and-alcohol free, has moved to the Toyota Fourth Turn Terrace Sections X-GG. The Family Seating Section will feature an inflatable monster truck bounce house, face painter, caricature artist, remote control cars, appearances by Lug Nut, racing-themed booster seats and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Coca-Cola Fan Van. Bank of America 500 Pit Passes Good for Three Days; Kids Pit Passes are Free
Take a tour of the pit area with a pre-race Pit Pass and look for your favorite NASCAR driver, take pictures of race cars and see behind-the-scenes action before the green flag drops on Oct. 15. Bank of America 500 Pit Passes now include access to Pit Road and limited areas in the infield on Thursday, Oct. 13 starting at 3 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 14 starting at 2:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Oct. 15 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Pit passes can be picked up at the Gate 4 pit pass trailer from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Pre-race pit passes for children 12 and under are available for free for the Bank of America 500. Children ages 13 through 18 can get a pit pass for half the adult price. Quantities are limited. Driver Access
Autograph Opportunities with OktoberFast Fan Festival, Nationwide Series Session
The biggest names in NASCAR will be on hand during Bank of America 500 Week and fans will have plenty of chances to get a driver autograph. The OktoberFast Fan Festival presented by Budweiser features a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver autograph session at noon on Thursday, Oct. 13, with Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray, Juan Pablo Montoya, A.J. Allmendinger, Casey Mears, Robby Gordon and Joe Nemechek in the OktoberFast Tent. The purchase of an OktoberFast pass is required for entry into the session. Fans will receive two driver autographs per person as determined by a lottery the morning of the event. On Friday, Oct. 14, at 1 p.m. a NASCAR Nationwide Series driver autograph session will be held on pit road. Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage ticketholders can get a free wristband for entry to the session, which is limited to 250 fans, Friday morning at the Turn 4 tunnel. Driver Intro Route Changed to Give Fans More Driver Visibility and Access
Fans who purchase a Driver Intro Pass for the Bank of America 500 can now get closer to the stars of NASCAR with the new driver introduction route from the garage area to the frontstretch pre-race stage. Drivers will walk around Turns 3 or 4 of the speedway’s frontstretch quarter-mile, giving fans more visibility to drivers. Driver Intro Pass holders will be permitted to stand along the secured driver intro route and cheer on their favorite drivers just before the drop of the green flag for the Bank of America 500. The limited-issue Driver Intro Pass also allows fans to be front and center at the driver introduction stage, tour the pit area and take pictures on Pit Road. Logistics
Handicapped Parking Expanded; Season Ticket Holder Parking Closer to Track
A new handicapped parking lot will open for Bank of America 500 Week, as a result of the souvenir rigs moving across Highway 29 to the new Fan Zone. The handicapped lot at the front entrance of the speedway will move from the Silver Parking Lot to Lot U, across Bruton Smith Boulevard. In comparison to the Silver Parking Lot, Lot U is closer to the speedway and is larger, offering more access for handicapped visitors. Fans with handicapped parking passes should enter Lot U off Bruton Smith Boulevard. In addition, Victory Lane Club season ticket holders will continue to enter Lot W on Bruton Smith Boulevard to park, but will now turn left at the lot entrance, enabling them to park even closer to the track. On the Track
Women of NASCAR Race in Better Half Dash for Charity
The guys will step aside when the ladies put on the firesuits for the inaugural Better Half Dash, a 25-lap Bandolero race at 2:30 p.m. on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s frontstretch quarter mile oval as a part of the Bank of America 500 pre-race activities on Oct. 15. Participants include Angie Skinner, wife of 1995 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Mike Skinner and SPEED television personality Wendy Venturini. The charity race will support Motor Racing Outreach (MRO) and Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC). Fans can donate $10 to MRO and SCC by texting “MOTOR” to 20222 through Oct. 15. Entertainment
New Reserved Tailgating Zone Gets the Fun Started Early
Charlotte Motor Speedway is offering fans a chance make memories before they even walk through the gates with the addition of a new reserved tailgating zone. Located outside of the track between Turns 1 and 2, the tailgating zone includes reserved spaces that measure 50 feet by 25 feet to accommodate even the biggest tailgating extravaganza. The reserved tailgating lot area will open at 7 a.m. on Oct. 15 before the Bank of America 500. Fans can reserve a space for just $50 by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Spots are limited. Fans Can Keep the Fun Going with Post-Race Live Music
Just because the checkered flag flies, it doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. After Bojangles’ Pole Night on Thursday, Oct. 13, fans can enjoy a performance by Trial by Fire, a Journey cover band. Following the Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage on Friday, Oct. 14, fans can enjoy a post-race concert with Tuesday’s Gone, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. On Saturday, Oct. 15, following the Bank of America 500, all-female AC/DC tribute band Shoot to Thrill will entertain fans. All three concerts will be in the Budweiser Block Party area, located outside of Turns 1 and 2 on Morehead Road. Tickets for all October races at Charlotte Motor Speedway can be purchased online atwww.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). The Bank of America Fan 4 Pack includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four Coca-Cola drinks starting at just $39.75 per person. For daily updates on October race activities, connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan atwww.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway. 
New Fan Zone Combines Souvenir Rigs, Powerade PlayZone, Interactive Displays
The most noticeable upgrade at Charlotte Motor Speedway this October will take place outside the track in the reconfigured Fan Zone, located outside Turns 1 and 2 near the speedway’s main entrance. The Fan Zone will now include the popular souvenir rigs, which were previously located across Highway 29. This move will alleviate some of the Highway 29 pedestrian foot traffic on race day and make it more convenient for fans to find and buy their favorite driver’s gear. The Fan Zone will also include the enhanced Powerade PlayZone, which will be located across from Gate 6, conveniently located for parents adjacent to the restrooms. The Powerade PlayZone will feature a Ferris wheel, racing-themed inflatable slides, bounce houses, face painters, balloon twisters, jugglers and a special Kazoobie Kazoo program on Friday, Oct. 14, from 2 p.m. to 7 p.m. Santa Claus will also stop by the Powerade PlayZone for an early holiday visit. The new Fan Zone will also include popular corporate trackside displays and live entertainment, including the Sprint Experience and SPEED Stage. Renovated Restrooms on the Frontstretch
The restrooms on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s frontstretch concourse received a renovation over the summer that included several upgrades. All of the toilets and sinks in the men’s and women’s restrooms were replaced, and new flush valves were installed to increase the overall efficiency of the facilities. The restroom floors and walls also received a fresh coat of paint. Tickets and Upgrades
New Smoke-Free Section, Expanded Family Seating Section Tickets Now Available
Charlotte Motor Speedway is offering a new smoke-free seating option for the Bank of America 500 on Oct. 15. Alcohol is permitted, but the Ford Grandstand, New Veranda and Club Deck and Upper Terrace Sections AA-G located on the frontstretch are now smoke-free. Also, the Family Seating Section, which is smoke-and-alcohol free, has moved to the Toyota Fourth Turn Terrace Sections X-GG. The Family Seating Section will feature an inflatable monster truck bounce house, face painter, caricature artist, remote control cars, appearances by Lug Nut, racing-themed booster seats and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Coca-Cola Fan Van. Bank of America 500 Pit Passes Good for Three Days; Kids Pit Passes are Free
Take a tour of the pit area with a pre-race Pit Pass and look for your favorite NASCAR driver, take pictures of race cars and see behind-the-scenes action before the green flag drops on Oct. 15. Bank of America 500 Pit Passes now include access to Pit Road and limited areas in the infield on Thursday, Oct. 13 starting at 3 p.m.; Friday, Oct. 14 starting at 2:30 p.m.; and Saturday, Oct. 15 from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. Pit passes can be picked up at the Gate 4 pit pass trailer from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday and Friday and 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Pre-race pit passes for children 12 and under are available for free for the Bank of America 500. Children ages 13 through 18 can get a pit pass for half the adult price. Quantities are limited. Driver Access
Autograph Opportunities with OktoberFast Fan Festival, Nationwide Series Session
The biggest names in NASCAR will be on hand during Bank of America 500 Week and fans will have plenty of chances to get a driver autograph. The OktoberFast Fan Festival presented by Budweiser features a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver autograph session at noon on Thursday, Oct. 13, with Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Ryan Newman, Jamie McMurray, Juan Pablo Montoya, A.J. Allmendinger, Casey Mears, Robby Gordon and Joe Nemechek in the OktoberFast Tent. The purchase of an OktoberFast pass is required for entry into the session. Fans will receive two driver autographs per person as determined by a lottery the morning of the event. On Friday, Oct. 14, at 1 p.m. a NASCAR Nationwide Series driver autograph session will be held on pit road. Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage ticketholders can get a free wristband for entry to the session, which is limited to 250 fans, Friday morning at the Turn 4 tunnel. Driver Intro Route Changed to Give Fans More Driver Visibility and Access
Fans who purchase a Driver Intro Pass for the Bank of America 500 can now get closer to the stars of NASCAR with the new driver introduction route from the garage area to the frontstretch pre-race stage. Drivers will walk around Turns 3 or 4 of the speedway’s frontstretch quarter-mile, giving fans more visibility to drivers. Driver Intro Pass holders will be permitted to stand along the secured driver intro route and cheer on their favorite drivers just before the drop of the green flag for the Bank of America 500. The limited-issue Driver Intro Pass also allows fans to be front and center at the driver introduction stage, tour the pit area and take pictures on Pit Road. Logistics
Handicapped Parking Expanded; Season Ticket Holder Parking Closer to Track
A new handicapped parking lot will open for Bank of America 500 Week, as a result of the souvenir rigs moving across Highway 29 to the new Fan Zone. The handicapped lot at the front entrance of the speedway will move from the Silver Parking Lot to Lot U, across Bruton Smith Boulevard. In comparison to the Silver Parking Lot, Lot U is closer to the speedway and is larger, offering more access for handicapped visitors. Fans with handicapped parking passes should enter Lot U off Bruton Smith Boulevard. In addition, Victory Lane Club season ticket holders will continue to enter Lot W on Bruton Smith Boulevard to park, but will now turn left at the lot entrance, enabling them to park even closer to the track. On the Track
Women of NASCAR Race in Better Half Dash for Charity
The guys will step aside when the ladies put on the firesuits for the inaugural Better Half Dash, a 25-lap Bandolero race at 2:30 p.m. on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s frontstretch quarter mile oval as a part of the Bank of America 500 pre-race activities on Oct. 15. Participants include Angie Skinner, wife of 1995 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion Mike Skinner and SPEED television personality Wendy Venturini. The charity race will support Motor Racing Outreach (MRO) and Speedway Children’s Charities (SCC). Fans can donate $10 to MRO and SCC by texting “MOTOR” to 20222 through Oct. 15. Entertainment
New Reserved Tailgating Zone Gets the Fun Started Early
Charlotte Motor Speedway is offering fans a chance make memories before they even walk through the gates with the addition of a new reserved tailgating zone. Located outside of the track between Turns 1 and 2, the tailgating zone includes reserved spaces that measure 50 feet by 25 feet to accommodate even the biggest tailgating extravaganza. The reserved tailgating lot area will open at 7 a.m. on Oct. 15 before the Bank of America 500. Fans can reserve a space for just $50 by calling 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Spots are limited. Fans Can Keep the Fun Going with Post-Race Live Music
Just because the checkered flag flies, it doesn’t mean the fun has to stop. After Bojangles’ Pole Night on Thursday, Oct. 13, fans can enjoy a performance by Trial by Fire, a Journey cover band. Following the Dollar General 300 Miles of Courage on Friday, Oct. 14, fans can enjoy a post-race concert with Tuesday’s Gone, a Lynyrd Skynyrd tribute band. On Saturday, Oct. 15, following the Bank of America 500, all-female AC/DC tribute band Shoot to Thrill will entertain fans. All three concerts will be in the Budweiser Block Party area, located outside of Turns 1 and 2 on Morehead Road. Tickets for all October races at Charlotte Motor Speedway can be purchased online atwww.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). The Bank of America Fan 4 Pack includes four tickets, four hot dogs and four Coca-Cola drinks starting at just $39.75 per person. For daily updates on October race activities, connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway by following on Twitter at www.twitter.com/CLTMotorSpdwy or become a Facebook fan atwww.facebook.com/charlottemotorspeedway.
