Metrolina Speedway

Metrolina Speedway
Location4916 Airway Avenue
Charlotte, North Carolina
Time zoneGMT-5
Opened1968 (1968)
Closed1998
Former namesCharlotte Fairgrounds Speedway
Half Mile Oval
SurfaceDirt
Length0.500 miles (0.804 km)
Turns4

Metrolina Speedway was an auto racing track located in northeast Charlotte, North Carolina on the Metrolina Fairgrounds.

History

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The track, also known as Charlotte Fairgrounds Speedway', was 1/2 mile (.804 km) in length and had a clay surface. It was paved for a short time in the 1970s to allow the NASCAR circuit to hold races there.[needs update] Many racers have raced at Metrolina Speedway, including Dale Earnhardt Sr., Brad Teague, and Harry Gant. It is one of many racetracks in the Metrolina region of North Carolina and South Carolina.

In 2009, plans were announced to reopen the track as the Metrolina Speed and Sport Center.[1] The track was to be repaved and the plans included a Go-Kart track, outdoor RC racing track, a hotel, and roof-top skate park but the proposal failed to move forward.

The track was the subject of the first episode of Lost Speedways on Peacock hosted by Dale Earnhardt Jr.[2]

A FedEx logistics center now sits next to the site.

References

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  1. ^ "Metrolina Speed and Sport Center to generate 150 jobs". WBTV. June 1, 2009. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
  2. ^ Martinelli, Michelle (June 28, 2021). "Dale Earnhardt Jr. shares passion for lost, old speedways and hopes for new tracks on NASCAR schedule". USA Today. Retrieved 30 July 2021.
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35°19′12″N 80°50′10″W / 35.319958°N 80.836051°W / 35.319958; -80.836051