Track Trivia: Lowe's Motor Speedway

Like horse racing, Sprint Cup racing has it's triple crown. Daytona is the most coveted win for most drivers, but Indy and the Coca-Cola 600 race at Lowe's Motor Speedway are right up there. This track, located in Concord, N.C., is in the heart of NASCAR country--most of the race shops are somewhere close to Charlotte, and that means no traveling for the LMS races. This year's May 24th race marks the 50th running of the Memorial Day race weekend, held under the lights since 1992. Besides being NASCAR's hometown track, Lowe's is notable for being the first major superspeedway to install lighting and have night racing, as well as having the only 600-mile race in the schedule. (The fall race is exciting too because it's part of the Chase.) 

The track itself is a 1.5 mile quad oval with 24 degrees of banking in the turns and 5 degrees on the straightaways. The stands hold 165,000 fans. And to you football fans out there--I was surprised to learn that most NASCAR tracks offer free parking, as does Lowe's. Yes, Pittsburgh Steeler tailgating is a sight to see. But (and don't get mad--I'm not judging) it really is dwarfed by the sight of acres of cars, trucks and R.V.'s all parked for the race weekend, with shuttles to take people to the track because it's so far away from the furthest lots. I have not yet been to LMS, but it is certainly (third) on my list of must-see races. And finally--the season (kind of) begins; the teams are at Daytona, media day has given us all kinds of new news, and the Shootout will give us an idea of who's ready and who's not. One more week until the big show!