Race City USA
Rev Up Your Engines in Race City USA
Mooresville, North Carolina, isn’t just another charming Southern town – it’s Race City USA, a motorsports mecca for NASCAR and racing enthusiasts. Mooresville is home to over 60 NASCAR teams and racing-related businesses. This concentration of the racing industry has earned Mooresville its nickname and racing reputation.
From legendary NASCAR team shops to interactive museums and high-octane experiences, Mooresville offers everything a racing fan could dream of – and all in one trip. Located just north of Charlotte and a short drive from Charlotte Motor Speedway, Mooresville is the perfect destination for a racing-inspired getaway that will have you itching to start your engines.
Tour Legendary NASCAR Race Shops in Mooresville
Mooresville’s race team shops give fans an insider’s look at the sport. With big names like Team Penske, JR Motorsports (Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team), Spire Motorsports, Front Row Motorsports, and SS Greenlight Racing based here, it’s no wonder racing fans flock to Mooresville.
JR Motorsports offers a window into the world of a NASCAR Xfinity Series team – fans can watch mechanics preparing cars for the next race and admire memorabilia like signed helmets and trophies in their shop museum.
Over at Team Penske’s sprawling campus, you’ll witness a powerhouse of racing: two high-tech buildings totaling 424,000 sq. feet house Penske’s NASCAR and IndyCar operations. Visitors can stroll a 432-foot fan walk overlooking the garage floor to watch crews at work, and browse one of NASCAR’s largest gift shops (5,000 sq. ft. of Penske gear!)
Don’t miss Spire Motorsports, a newer Cup Series team that has quickly made its mark. Spire regularly opens its showroom on weekdays, and during special fan days, you might meet drivers and see race cars up close. At Front Row Motorsports, you can get a glimpse of the action and snag exclusive team merchandise.
These team shops are free to visit and are a dream come true for any NASCAR fan wanting a behind-the-scenes experience. Check each team’s race shop website (listed below) to ensure you can visit while they’re open, as normal business hours vary shop to shop. Arrive early in the day for a better chance to see shop activity (mornings are often when teams prep for races). And be sure to stop by the gift shops – not only can you pick up official team merchandise, but proceeds often support the racing operations.
Dive into Racing History
To truly appreciate Mooresville’s racing heritage, explore its museums and hall of fame that celebrate the legends of the sport.
Start in historic downtown Mooresville at the North Carolina Auto Racing Walk of Fame, where the sidewalks are inlaid with plaques honoring icons like Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, and Tony Stewart. It’s a free, open-air tribute – snap a photo with your hero’s marker and feel the legacy beneath your feet.
Just around the corner is the NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame, a museum dedicated to all forms of motorsport. Inside, you’ll find an impressive collection of race cars from dragsters to stock cars, and even a theater playing videos about NASCAR’s history. Don’t miss the gallery of memorabilia and the chance to see up close the cars driven by racing’s greatest.
Next, step back in time at the Memory Lane Motorsports and Historical Automotive Museum, which boasts over 150 vintage vehicles on display. This extensive collection includes everything from early stock cars and classic drag racers to motorcycles and even farming tractors – all lovingly preserved. Many of these artifacts have a story: you’ll see cars driven by past champions and even vehicles used in movies and TV shows. It’s no surprise Memory Lane earned recognition for outstanding achievement in preserving automotive history!
For local history with a racing twist, check out the Mooresville Museum as well – a hometown museum in the middle of Downtown Mooresville that often features exhibits on the town’s racing roots and famous drivers. Between the museums, you’ll gain a deep appreciation for how Mooresville became Race City USA and the personalities who made it happen.
Get Behind the Wheel
Racing Experience That Put You in the Drivers Seat
After immersing yourself in NASCAR history, it’s time to feel the adrenaline for yourself! Mooresville offers thrilling ways to get behind the wheel – or at least a steering wheel.
Head to Trackhouse Motorplex (formerly GoPro Motorplex), an outdoor go-karting track founded by racers for racers. This world-class, 0.7-mile kart track was modeled after a famous circuit in Italy and hosts major professional karting events. Here, you can rent high-speed karts that reach up to 55 mph and challenge your friends or family to a timed race session. The facility provides all the gear (ask for a helmet cam to capture your race POV!), and you’ll be driving on the same track where many NASCAR and IndyCar pros practice in their off-time. It’s an unforgettable experience for any speed junkie.
If you prefer an indoor setting (or need a rainy-day activity), The Pit Indoor Kart Racing is another must-visit. The Pit features one of the largest indoor kart tracks in the U.S., a 70,000 sq. ft. course with 20 challenging turns. Adult karts here can hit 45 mph on the straightaways, and they offer junior karts for the younger kids, so it’s fun for the whole family. After you conquer the track, The Pit also has laser tag, mini-golf, and an arcade – perfect to round out a day of entertainment. Both Trackhouse Motorplex and The Pit provide all necessary safety equipment and instruction, so even if you’re a first-timer, you’ll feel like a pro driver in no time.
Need for Speed Tip: Wear closed-toe shoes and comfortable clothing when you go karting. Weekdays are generally less crowded at the kart tracks, meaning more track time for you. At Trackhouse Motorplex, check their schedule for public arrive-and-drive hours (they occasionally host tournaments, so plan around those). And don’t forget to ask for that helmet camera – you’ll want video proof of your speedy laps to show off back home!
Auto Racing in Race City USA
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![Multiple race cars in a garage. Prominent red and white Chevrolet Camaro with sponsor decals and racing tires, next to a yellow and blue race car. The cars are on jacks and appear to be in a maintenance or preparation area.]()
JR Motorsports Race Shop
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![A blue 1969 Ford Torino Talladega race car with the number 43, displayed in a museum with other vintage cars in the background, roped off for viewing.]()
Memory Lane Museum
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![Vintage photographs and objects including a red model car, old books, a milk ad, a sign for a whole sale, and older delivery trucks, displayed at Moresville Museum.]()
Mooresville Museum
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![A collection of vintage race cars on display in a museum, featuring a prominent white and blue Ford stock car, a blue and red Chevrolet stock car, and other classic race cars in the background with signage and framed pictures on the walls.]()
NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame
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![A walk of fame star for Shirley Muldowny with the NC Auto Racing logo, featuring checkered flags, a portrait, and her name, located on a brick and concrete sidewalk.]()
NC Auto Racing Walk of Fame
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![Collection of race cars on display inside a showroom with large glass windows and racing suits on the wall.]()
Spire Motorsports
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![A race car displayed indoors with Penske and Porsche branding, located inside a store with products and clothing on the walls.]()
Team Penske Race Shop
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![Two people in go-karts racing indoors, wearing helmets and racing suits.]()
The Pit Indoor Kart Racing
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![Person with long hair wearing a blue shirt and black cap waving a checkered flag at a go-kart racing track in the open air with blue and white barriers, green trees, and a clear blue sky in the background.]()
Trackhouse Motorplex
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More Ways to Experience Mooresville’s Racing Scene
Mooresville’s racing culture goes beyond museums and motorsports businesses – it’s in the very fabric of the community. Take a drive around town, and you might pass the NASCAR Technical Institute, a training school for future race mechanics and pit crew members. You can also catch local grassroots racing at the Mooresville Dragway (a 1/8-mile drag strip) or at nearby dirt tracks like Millbridge Speedway, where up-and-coming drivers sling dirt in mini-sprints and midgets. If you’re an avid racing gamer, some local arcades and entertainment centers offer race car simulators to test your skills virtually. And for a truly immersive slice of NASCAR life, dine at one of Mooresville’s racing-themed restaurants. For example, Lancaster’s BBQ is a local favorite where the walls are covered in racing memorabilia and even an actual race car, giving you the full Race City USA atmosphere as you enjoy Eastern NC barbecue.
One of Mooresville’s advantages is its prime location in North Carolina’s racing country. Just 30 minutes down the road is the legendary Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord – home to NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600 and the Bank of America ROVAL 400. Many visitors base themselves in Mooresville to tour the race shops and museums, then take a short drive to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a track tour or to attend a major race event. The speedway offers behind-the-scenes tours and even driving experiences. By staying in Mooresville, you get the best of both worlds: a charming, affordable town filled with racing attractions, and quick access to big events at the Speedway and even the NASCAR Hall of Fame in uptown Charlotte (about a 30-minute drive). Plan a long weekend to capture it all – you’ll find plenty of modern hotels in Mooresville ready to welcome you in after a day of high-octane fun.