It’s race week at Charlotte Motor Speedway, but it doesn’t feel quite as big as it used to. Do you remember back in the 1990s and even into the early 2000s when there were 160,000 people at the Coca-Cola 600 in May, and nearly that many at the fall race, now the Bank of America 400.
But it is still a big deal, just about half as many fans in the stands.
No. 1
Speedway paints pit wall pink for breast cancer awareness: More than 100 breast cancer survivors and supporters joined NASCAR drivers and representatives of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina earlier this week to paint more than 1,300 feet of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s pit road wall pink in recognition of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
The 14th annual Paint Pit Wall Pink event featured NASCAR drivers Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Ryan Preece, Todd Gilliland, Cole Custer and Cody Ware, among others. Participants also took part in a survivors’ parade lap and assembled more than 250 care packages for breast cancer patients through Atrium Health’s Project Pink and Nothing Pink programs.
The event held special meaning for Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Jessica Fickenscher.
“Standing here today is incredibly emotional for me, because exactly one year ago, my life looked very different,” Fickenscher said. “I had just heard the words no woman ever expects to hear: “You have breast cancer. Everything suddenly felt uncertain. And then I walked into this event, Paint Pit Wall Pink. I remember seeing all the pink. But more importantly, I saw the women. I saw survivors. I saw women laughing, hugging, living their lives, and standing on the other side of something that I had just been told I was going to have to face. And I remember thinking, ‘Okay. I can do this. I’m going to be okay.’”
The pink pit wall will remain throughout NASCAR race weekend, which features Saturday’s Blue Cross NC 300 and Sunday’s Bank of America 400, returning to the speedway’s oval for the first time since 2017.
No. 2
NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace returned to a familiar place in Concord on Thursday, Oct. 8, to celebrate the completion of renovations to the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County, where he spent time as a youngster.
A $50,000 grant made the project possible through a partnership involving Speedway Children’s Charities, Coca-Cola Consolidated, and Wallace’s 23XI Racing team. The funding was used to renovate the club’s teen and esports rooms, providing updated facilities and new equipment to encourage creativity, teamwork, entrepreneurship and other activities for local youth.
During the week leading up to the Bank of America 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, team members from the speedway, Coca-Cola Consolidated and 23XI Racing helped paint, build furniture and install equipment at the club.
The project builds on Wallace’s April induction into the Boys & Girls Clubs of America Alumni Hall of Fame. As part of that recognition, Wallace drove a Boys & Girls Clubs-branded car supported by Coca-Cola Consolidated during the NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway.
“Being able to partner with Speedway Children’s Charities, Coca-Cola Consolidated and my team at 23XI to give back to a place that means a lot to me is a special feeling,” Wallace said in a Speedway press release.
The renovations come as the Boys & Girls Club of Cabarrus County celebrates its 80th anniversary in 2026, marking eight decades of serving local children and families.
No. 3
Racing begins on Friday with the EcoSave 200 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at 5 p.m., followed by a free Kyle Busch Celebration of Life at 8 p.m., featuring special guests, race cars and a drone show. Saturday’s schedule includes NASCAR Cup Series practice at 1 p.m., qualifying at 2:05 p.m., and the Blue Cross NC 300 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at 4 p.m. A camper appreciation party with live music is scheduled from 8 to 10 p.m.
Guest speakers for the Kyle Busch Celebration include Samantha Busch, Joe Gibbs, Kurt Busch, Christopher Bell, Noah Gragson, Daniel Suarez, Kyle Larson, Austin Dillon, and Mike Joy.
Ten of Kyle Busch’s most iconic race cars will be displayed on the front stretch along with a drone show. The first 15,000 guests will receive gifts on the way out.
Sunday’s festivities include a Tim Dugger concert at 11 a.m., driver interviews and appearances beginning at noon, and a pre-race concert by country music star Tyler Hubbard from 1-2 p.m. before the Bank of America 400 at 3 p.m.
The speedway’s Fan Zone will feature driver appearances, autograph opportunities, interactive displays, merchandise and family activities throughout the weekend. For tickets, detailed schedules and additional information, visit CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS.
No. 4
Traffic is still heavy. Motorists expect heavier traffic around Charlotte Motor Speedway today through Sunday, Oct. 9-11, during NASCAR race weekend. The N.C. Department of Transportation warns of congestion on I-85, U.S. 29, N.C. 49, and Bruton Smith Boulevard.
Drivers heading to the speedway should use U.S. 29 rather than Bruton Smith Boulevard. Those approaching from the south or east can take I-485 to U.S. 29 North (Exit 32) or N.C. 49 North (Exit 33). Drivers coming from the north can use I-85 Exit 54 (George W. Liles Parkway) to reach U.S. 29 South. Another option from I-85 North is Exit 52 (Poplar Tent Road), then Pitts School Road to U.S. 29 South.
Concord Mills shoppers coming from Charlotte can avoid Speedway congestion by taking I-485 to Mallard Creek Road (Exit 28), then heading north to Carolina Lily Lane or Concord Mills Boulevard. Coming from Concord or Kannapolis, Derita/Odell School Road might be a good option. Motorists should allow extra travel time and check DriveNC.gov or call 511 for traffic updates.
No. 5
Not going to the races? There’s still plenty to do around Cabarrus County. Here are some things we’ve found:
Oct. 8-18 — Spider’s Web: Old Courthouse Theatre, 49 Spring St. NW in Concord, presents Agatha Christie’s comedy-thriller Spider’s Web. Performances are scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Oct. 8-10 and Oct. 16-17, with 2:30 p.m. matinees Oct. 11 and 18.
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 9-11 — The Collectors Showcase: Sports Wax Promotions brings its Collectors Showcase to the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord. The three-day event features sports cards, memorabilia, and other collectibles.
Saturday, Oct. 10 — Wonders of Wildlife Festival: Cabarrus Brewing Company, 329 McGill Ave. NW in Concord, hosts the Wonders of Wildlife Festival from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. The event focuses on wildlife education and conservation.
Saturday, Oct. 10 — Sip & Script: Cabarrus Brewing Company hosts a brush-lettering and pumpkin-lettering class from 2-3:30 p.m. in the CBC Lounge. Cost is $68 per person.
Saturday, Oct. 10 — Rockin’ the Burg: Harrisburg’s free outdoor concert series concludes its season at Harrisburg Park, featuring Gump Fiction. The opening act starts at 7 p.m., and the headliner is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Food trucks and a beer garden will be available.
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 10-11 — Repticon Charlotte: Repticon returns to the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center with reptiles, exotic animals, breeders, vendors and supplies. Hours are 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday. Adult admission is $15 for a single-day ticket, with discounted children’s admission.
Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 10-11 — IBJJF Charlotte Fall International Open: Brazilian jiu-jitsu competitors gather at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center for gi and no-gi competition.
Thursday, Oct. 15 — Paint & Sip: Cabarrus Brewing Company hosts a Sugar Skulls and Skeleton Tails painting party from 6-8 p.m. The $45 cost includes a drink ticket.
Saturday, Oct. 17 — Peak Building Material Auction: The Cabarrus Arena & Events Center hosts the Peak Building Material Auction, featuring building and home-improvement materials.
Sunday, Oct. 18 — Vegan Vibes Music Series, Fall Edition: Cabarrus Brewing Company hosts an afternoon of live music, vegan food trucks and vendors from 1-6 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays through Nov. 22 — Carolina Renaissance Festival: The Carolina Renaissance Festival continues at its 25-acre village, 16445 Poplar Tent Road, along the Huntersville-Concord border. The festival features jousting knights, costumed villagers, music, comedy, falconry, games, food and an artisan marketplace. Gates are open from 9:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Through October — Fall Festivals at Local Farms: Almond Farm in Concord offers wagon rides, a corn pit, pumpkin patch and farm animals through Nov. 1. Deer Run Farm also continues its fall activities through Oct. 31, including slides, bounce attractions and family entertainment.
Thursday, Oct. 22 — Foxtoberfest Car Show Meet Up: Cabarrus Brewing Company hosts a gathering for car enthusiasts from 4-8 p.m. at Gibson Mill in Concord.
Friday-Sunday, Oct. 23-25 — Christmas Made in the South: The holiday arts and crafts show is scheduled to return to the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center, featuring gifts, seasonal decorations, handmade crafts and specialty merchandise.
Saturday, Oct. 24 — Race for Peace 5K: The annual Race for Peace 5K is scheduled in Concord, bringing runners and walkers together for a community event.
Saturday, Oct. 24 — Vino & Vibes: ClearWater Arts Center & Studios in Concord hosts a celebration of wine, art and entertainment.
Sunday, Oct. 25 — Sip & Script: Cabarrus Brewing Company hosts another pumpkin-lettering and brush-lettering class from 3:30-5 p.m. in the CBC Lounge. Cost is $68 per person.
If you have anything for the Friday Five or something I can rant about, email Plemmons.mark@gmail.com or text me at 704-786-0001.
