NASCAR Hall of Fame
About the NASCAR Hall of Fame
The high-tech venue, designed to educate and entertain race fans and non-fans alike, opened May 11, 2010, and includes artifacts, hands-on exhibits, a 278-person state-of-the-art theater, Hall of Honor, Buffalo Wild Wings restaurant, NASCAR Hall of Fame Gear Shop and an attached parking garage on Brevard Street.
The five-acre site also includes a privately developed 19-story office tower and 102,000-square-foot expansion to the Charlotte Convention Center, highlighted by a 40,000-square-foot ballroom. The NASCAR Hall of Fame is owned by the City of Charlotte, licensed by NASCAR and operated by the Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority.
The mission of the facility is to drive economic impact for the Charlotte region, honor the history and heritage of NASCAR and cultivate loyalty for both the NASCAR Hall and the sport by delivering a multi-faceted experience that is interactive, entertaining, immersive and engaging.
The Hall’s Lasting Impact
When the NASCAR Hall of Fame first opened its doors in May 2010, the occasion was marked by fireworks, celebratory remarks by prestigious contributors and throngs of attendees ready to explore the landmark. More than a decade later, the NASCAR Hall continues to deliver on the excitement culminated during that memorable opening occasion.
While impossible to identify one pivotal success metric for the Hall over the last 10 years, the answer lies in the breadth of its imprint on many areas; from the impact on fans to the role in honoring the sport’s legends to the influence it’s had on Charlotte. Here are some of the ways the NASCAR Hall has made an indelible mark in its first decade.
Bucket List Draw
From the very beginning of the effort to bring the NASCAR Hall to Charlotte, it was intended to be a place of pilgrimage for NASCAR fans. The average distance half of its attendees travel from is 440 miles or more. Attendees have visited the venue from all 50 states and six continents. Plus, nearly 40 percent of visitors indicate that it’s their primary reason for coming to Charlotte.
Convention Charisma
The NASCAR Hall has been a driving influence in the Charlotte Convention Center’s success over the last decade thanks to the 40,000-square-foot Crown Ballroom that was added as part of the complex’s initial construction. Most visiting conventions seek a signature event venue that’s representative of the region, and thanks to the NASCAR Hall's connectivity to the convention center, it provides the perfect backdrop. Over the years, the venue has complemented the center’s events by playing host to mega-corporate gatherings like Miller Coors and serving as the perfect Charlotte-centric setting for gatherings such as the 2012 Democratic National Convention.
Charlotte Convention Center
Economic Engine
The NASCAR Hall of Fame has an economic impact of $58.3 million annually in the Charlotte region. $31.5 million is infused into Charlotte’s local economy from direct spending by visitors coming from near and far to visit.
Community Gathering Place
The signature architecture of the NASCAR Hall has made it a special and recognizable building that lights up the city’s growing Uptown landscape. It’s also been a place of celebration for the community hosting countless holiday events over the years like the popular WBT Holiday on Ice skating rink in the winter months.
The Heart of the Industry
The Hall has increasingly become the choice destination for industry announcements, press events and meaningful moments honoring NASCAR’s history and heritage. Dozens of paint scheme unveils, media days, sponsorship announcements and fireside chats happen at the venue throughout the year, providing insider access that makes for unforgettable guest experiences.
Catalyst for Uptown Development
The NASCAR Hall has served as a powerful economic development catalyst for the Stonewall Street corridor in Charlotte's Center City, which has more than $2.7 billion in development underway. Without the critical I-277 interchange reconfiguration that was prompted by the develop of the Hall, numerous parcels that are now home to urban living, office space and retail wouldn’t be a reality in Uptown Charlotte.
Go-To for Groups
The Hall continues to be a highly sought-after event venue for events, leveraging the immersive NASCAR experience the museum provides for more than 300 unique happenings each year. And these events have certainly run the gamut. A sprinkling of high school proms, collegiate pep rallies and even a wedding have been among the special gatherings found here. Meanwhile, a bevy of corporations, non-profits and associations benefit from the space for teambuilds, cocktail soirees, job fairs, meetings and more.
Picking up STE(A)M
The NASCAR Hall’s education program, which focuses on science, technology, engineering, the arts and mathematics known as STE(A)M principles, served more than 17,000 students in 2019, an increase of 21 percent from the previous year, and has reached students in 64 counties in the Carolinas and 15 additional states as well as Canada.
Exceptional Exhibits
A range of ever-evolving special exhibits bring to life the excitement, passion and history of NASCAR such as “24: A Tribute to Jeff Gordon,” “Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Team Penske,” “Smoke: A Tribute to Tony Stewart,” and “Petty: Building a Family Legacy.” Meanwhile, mainstay exhibits such as the Hall of Honor, racing simulators and Glory Road are consistently refreshed to exemplify the sport’s history, heritage and innovation.
Forever Legends
55 inductees have been enshrined to date, honoring the legends who have made momentous contributions to the sport and uniting an enthusiastic fan base. Selected by representatives from NASCAR, track owners, media and the Hall of Fame team, the achievement of induction marks the pinnacle of a career.
Visit the NASCAR Hall of Fame's Official Website
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