New Orleans has Marti Gras, New York has New Years, and Charlotte has the NASCAR All-Star week. While Charlotte plays host to many other events, nothing draws quite like the All-Star week for Charlotte. If you've never been to a NASCAR race, the All-Star race at Lowes Motor Speedway on May 17 is the one you'll have to attend. However, the racing is just one dynamic of this incredible week. Here are some of the other highlights:
Hang Out at Dale Jr.'s New Bar Whiskey River
Whenever Dale Earnhardt Jr. does anything, it gets a lot of attention and his new Bar / Nightclub has done just that. Whiskey River, located at the Epicentre at Trade & 4th Streets, is a great live music spot right at the center of town. If you're planning to stick around and attend the Coke 600 the following week, you should plan on Tuesday May 21 for the EA Sports Kick-off Party for the NASCAR '08 video game.
Pit Crew Challenge at The Cable Box (Time Warner Cable Arena)
Every race can either be won or lost in the pits and on Thursday May 15, you see the Pit Crew Challenge live. This is an absolutely fun event as you watch the best in the business go at it for bragging rights and $70,000. By the way, while you're there, make sure you cheer on Eric Wallace on the 16 team.
You've got to hit the race shops
The Charlotte area is home to the last majority of the NASCAR Sprint Cup, Nationwide Series, and Truck Series teams and most have shops that are open to the public. You can see the cars up close, take lots of pictures (so bring a large memory card) and even meet the drivers. One of the coolest shops is Michael Waltrip Racing's Raceworld USA. While most shops have the overlooks into the shops and a car on display, at Raceworld, you can watch pit crew practice, get really up close to the cars, tour a NASCAR hauler, and so much more. Even if you're not a MWR fan, this is one shop you cannot miss. Also, your favorite driver may be doing an appearance during this week so check their websites for more information.
RCR up in Welcome has also a great shop with a museum that will be home for any Dale Earnhardt fan. Here are the addresses of the Sprint Cup Shops.
| Team Name | Address | Phone | Website |
| Michael Waltip Racing | 20310 Chartwell Center Drive, Cornelius, NC 28031 | 704-655-9550 | http://www.michaelwaltrip.com/ |
| BAM Racing | 11881 Vance Davis Dr. Charlotte, NC 28269 | 704-947-9696 | http://www.bam49racing.com/ |
| Bill Davis Racing | 300 Old Thomasville Road, High Point, NC 27260 | 336-887-2222 | http://www.billdavisracing.com/ |
| Dale Earnhardt, Inc. | 1675 Dale Earnhardt Highway 3, Mooresville, NC 28115 | 704-662-8000 | http://www.daleearnhardtinc.com/ |
| Gillett Evernham Motorsports | 320 Aviation Dr. Statesville, NC 28677 | 704-924-9404 | http://www.evernhammotorsports.com/ |
| Furniture Row Racing | 4000 Forest St. Denver CO. 80216 | 303-322-2008 | http://www.furniturerowracing.com/ |
| Ganassi Racing | 8500 Westmoreland Dr. Concord, NC 28027 | 704-662-9642 | http://www.chipganassiracing.com/ |
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| Hall of Fame Racing | 9900 Twin Lake Parkway, Charlotte, NC 28269 | 704-947-0960 | http://www.halloffameracing.com/ |
| Haas CNC Racing | 6001 Haas Waym Kannapolis, NC | 704-663-3322 | http://www.haascncracing.com/ |
| Hendrick Motorsports | 4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd. Charlotte, NC 28262 | 704-455-0324 | http://www.hendrickmotorsports.com/ |
| Joe Gibbs Racing | 13415 Reese Blvd West. Huntersville, NC 28078 | 704-944-5000 | http://www.joegibbsracing.com/ |
| Morgan-McClure Motorsports | 26502 Newbanks Road Abingdon, VA 24210 | 276-628-3683 | http://www.morgan-mcclure.com/ |
| Penske Racing South | 200 Penske Way Mooresville NC 28115 | 704-664-2300 | http://www.penskeracing.com/ |
| Petty Enterprises | 112 Byers Creek Road Mooresville, NC 28117 | 704-663-4343 | http://www.pettyracing.com/ |
| Robby Gordon Motorsports | 10615 Twin Lakes Parkway Charlotte, NC 28269 | 704-949-1255 | |
| Roush Racing | 4600 Roush Place Concord, NC 28027 | 704-720-4600 | http://www.roushracing.com/ |
| Richard Childress Racing | 425 Industrial Drive Welcome, NC 27374 | 336-731-3334 | http://www.rcrracing.com/ |
| Wood Bros. / JTG Racing | 7201 Caldwell Road Harrisburg, NC 28075 | 704-456-1221 | http://www.woodbrothersracing.com/ |
| Red Bull Racing | 136 Knob Hill Road Mooresville, NC 28117 | 704-662-3566 | http://www.redbullusa.com/ |
Why not Buy a Condo While You're Here
I know of a great agent who can sell you a condo overlooking Lowes Motor Speedway; me. Yes, like many other professional sporting arenas like Camden Yards and Atlanta Motor Speedway, you can buy a luxury condo and have a front-row seat to race day.
And then there is the racing!
The reason why many will tell you that the best race all year is the all star race is simply because the drivers race for nothing but money. There's no second place and the race is actually broken into a few shorter mini-races. Last year, we saw Kurt and Kyle Busch take each other out during the race and Kevin Harvick winning. Qualifying starts May 16 at 6:15 and following qualifying, the Craftsman Truck Series takes to the track for the NC Education Lottery 200. The Sprint All Star race is the 17th at 7pm and goes into the night. Then things really pick up on May 22nd for Windstream Pole Night, the 24th for the CarQuest Auto Parts 300 (Nationwide Series), and concludes with the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday May 25th at 5:45pm. Now how's that for an action packed week.
I'm looking forward for All Star week as I'm a big time NASCAR fan and it has to be the best week and a half in motorsports. Hopefully, I'll see you at the track.
Jonathan Osman
Charlotte NC Homes, Charlotte Real Estate
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