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| - Unlike the stereotypical tackiness and shameless self promotion that is the sponsorship world of motorsports, Winston Kelley and the team behind the NASCAR Hall of Fame have created a truly iconic museum respectful to the history of the sport, enjoyed by both the novice and die hard, and central to the headquarters of the many race teams and racers it honors.
A tour here provides up close and personal access to the roots and history of the sport. Thousands upon thousands of trophies, credentials, uniforms, handwritten notes, and actual cars, parts, and interactive exhibits. It has the comprehensive artifacts of a Presidential Library combined with the interactive exhibits of a world class museum. Combine that with a large banquet and reception hall and live broadcasting facilities for NASCAR tv and radio and you have one world class facility.
You begin the tour with a high powered, super widescreen, enveloping video presentation that feels more like an IMAX experience than a greeting. From there, you are taken out to the wrap around main display area showcasing 60 years of famous (real) NASCAR cars on a progressively banked display that showcases each track banking, history, and surface. As you reach the next level, you enter the Hall of Honor where the Hall of Fame inductees are enshrined. The most recent 5 inductees have cars and memorabilia, with prior year honorees HoF posts mounted to the wall. There is a viewing platform in the back of the room allowing you to look down on the first floor gallery you came from. Impressive view.
The middle floor is the interactive part of the exhibit. Pieces and parts from cars, haulers, and dynos detailing the mechanical world of the sport. So much to take in and understand, plus interactive pit and driving experiences to boot. If you want to participate in the racing simulator, there is an additional charge, but combo packages are available.
From there you ascend to the culmination of artifacts that go back to the very moonshine roots of the sport. All authentic, you meander through anything and everything you could imagine involved with the sport including 4 generations of racing memorabilia, trophies, cars, parts, and documentation galore.
Upon completion of your visit, you return to the first floor and can either purchase the picture they take of you upon entering or exit out the gift shop.
There is a small cafe in house, or a Buffalo Wild Wings attached to the building that you may eat at as well. Parking is in the back of the building, or other convention center parking is available (fee based)
I cannot recommend this experience enough. For those unfamiliar, it is a fascinating look into the sport and why it is so much more than "turning left" or "driving in a circle". For the die hards, a chance to get up close and personal with NASCAR history and the progression of the sport they love so much. This facility has so many multi-use functions outside of the museum and will continue to be a showcase facility for the city of Charlotte and the world of NASCAR.
Time: You can rush through the museum in about 90 minutes (and I mean steady walking) or easily spend 4 hours or more taking it all in. I recommend the latter. So much to take in and well worth it. Have been back for the Wrecks special exhibit and was worth it to have unreal access to some of the safety changing moments in the sport.
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