Fan Guide: Coca-Cola 600, concerts and other high-octane happenings

Before the green flag waves for the 65th running of the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway, race fans can check out these high-octane happenings, both on and off the track.

Speed Street

The long-running BetMGM Speed Street has moved from Uptown to the speedway, and this year’s lineup includes Hairball on Friday, Kameron Marlowe on Saturday, and Tim Dugger and Friends on Sunday.

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Speed Street will also include a fan zone where there will be driver appearances by some of NASCAR’s biggest names, interactive games and displays, souvenir haulers, and the Trackside Live stage.

The festival opens at 3 p.m. on Friday, 9 a.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. on Sunday.

Speed Street will be open each day to fans with a ticket to any of the weekend’s three NASCAR events May 24-26.

The Races

Friday

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series kick off the action on Friday.

The ARCA Menards Series will have practice and qualifying beginning at 11:40 a.m., and the ARCA Menards Series General Tire 150 starts at 6 p.m.

Qualifying for the truck series begins at 2:05 p.m., and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series North Carolina Education Lottery 200 begins at 8:30 p.m.

Ticket prices start at $50. Children age 12 and younger get in free.

Saturday

The NASCAR Xfinity Series regulars will take on NASCAR Cup Series superstars in the NASCAR Xfinity Series BetMGM 300 on Saturday at 1 p.m.

Following the Xfinity race, practice for the Coca-Cola 600 will take place at 5:05 p.m. and qualifying will begin at 5:50 p.m.

Ticket prices for Saturday start at $35. Children age 12 and younger get in free.

Sunday

The 65th running of the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 is set for Sunday.

Rockers Matchbox Twenty will perform a 60-minute pre-race concert in the infield before the race at 3:30 p.m.

In addition, there will be a patriotic tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces that will feature the 82nd Airborne Division Band and U.S. Army Black Hawks.

Driver introductions begin at 5:25 p.m. and the race starts at 6 p.m.

For the third consecutive year, the Coca-Cola 600 is sold out. All reserved grandstand, premium, and standing room only tickets, along with reserved camping, are sold out for Sunday’s race.

For more information call 800-455-FANS (3267).

To see the complete schedule for the weekend, click here.

Know Before You Go

Fans are encouraged to purchase tickets online in advance. On race days, select gates will be open for ticket sales.

All tickets and parking passes will be mobile and delivered digitally.

Concessions are cashless, and all major credit and debit cards are accepted.

A maximum of two bags per person is permitted. Bags or backpacks should be no larger than 18 x 18 x 14 inches.

Fans may also bring one soft-sided cooler no larger than 14 x 14 x 14 inches.

To see what items are permitted and what items are prohibited, click here.

There is parking available surrounding the entire speedway. Click here to go to the parking and directions page to find the parking area closest to your seats and/or your traveling point. General parking fees may vary per day.

For more information on events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, go to charlottemotorspeedway.com.

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Fan Fests

In addition to the action at Charlotte Motor Speedway, several teams, including Hendrick Motorsports, JR Motorsports and Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, will host fan events.

JR Motorsports, at 349 Cayuga Drive in Mooresville, will host fans on Thursday beginning at 9 a.m.

JTG Daugherty Racing, at 7201 Caldwell Road in Harrisburg, will host fans from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday.

Stewart-Haas Racing, at 6001 Haas Way in Kannapolis, will host an autograph session on Thursday from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.

RFK Racing, at 4202 Roush Place in Concord, will host fans from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday. Link

Hendrick Motorsports, at 4400 Papa Joe Hendrick Blvd., will host fans from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. Link

Some autograph sessions will require a wristband. Be sure to use the links above to check for instructions on how to get a wristband.

Old Armor Beer Company and U.S. Legends Cars have teamed up with Kerry Earnhardt again to host the 2nd annual Earnhardt Outdoors Showdown in Kannapolis on Thursday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. In addition to the race, the event also features interactive displays showcasing the Earnhardt family’s racing memorabilia and other activities, plus music from Cody Webb. Admission is free. Link

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