NASCAR Hall of Fame plans $25M expansion in Charlotte

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The NASCAR Hall of Fame is hitting the gas on a major expansion plan — and it’s looking to the city of Charlotte to help fuel the ride.

The Hall, which opened in 2010, is requesting $25 million from the city to fund five significant upgrades aimed at enhancing visitor experience, increasing event capacity and modernizing the venue.

A presentation to Charlotte City Council this week revealed the NASCAR Hall of Fame welcomed more than 200,000 visitors last year and has provided the city with an estimated economic impact of $75 million. Visitors often stay for multiple nights and travel long distances, boosting hotel demand.

“Most of my family are NASCAR fans,” Corey DeVolke, who was visiting from Jacksonville, said.

For some families closer to home, the Hall has become a memorable destination.

“We did basically everything there is to do, and everything is so much fun,” Logan Birchmeier said after touring the Hall with his family.

City leaders are calling the Hall an economic engine for Charlotte. City Council member Malcolm Graham says it’s been a key component to keeping the city’s brand hot. 

“This has been good for tourism, it’s been good for our brand,” Graham said. “I think we need to continue to evolve it so it will continue to be an asset for us.” 

If approved, the $25 million would go toward five key improvements:

• Relocation of the Gear Shop retail space

• Creation of a dedicated education center

• Café relocation for better visitor flow

• New enclosed event space on the fourth floor

• Enhanced security infrastructure

The Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority is backing the resolution, pointing to the motorsports industry’s $6 billion annual impact on North Carolina’s economy — $4.5 billion of which is generated in the Charlotte region.

Charlotte City Council is expected to vote on the funding request in the coming months.

Contact Walker Lawson at wlawson@wcnc.com or follow him on Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok.