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Local Patriot Roasting Co.
Fuel up for your adventure with a seasonal latte and take home a bag of “Head Down, Fin Up” coffee, a collaboration featuring 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion and Kannapolis-native Daniel Hemric. Can’t decide what to order? Local Patriot offers coffee flights. Plus, you can pay it forward by donating bags of coffee to first responders at this patriot- and veteran-owned coffee shop and roastery.
Curb Museum for Music & Motorsports
This 20,000-square-foot museum brings together Mike Curb’s two passions: auto racing and country music. Inside, you’ll find NASCAR, Indy and modified race cars, plus memorabilia from Curb’s record label artists like Tim McGraw and LeeAnn Rimes. Highlights include Dale Earnhardt’s first Winston Cup Championship car and Richard Petty’s No. 43 car. Gold records, artist cutouts and music-themed hoods round out the exhibits.
Dale Earnhardt Tribute Plaza
Visit this 1-acre memorial plaza to honor hometown hero Dale Earnhardt. Anchored by a 9-foot statue of the NASCAR legend, the parks also nods to him in creative ways: azaleas, day lilies and benches are grouped in sets of three, Earnhardt’s car number; seven steps descend into the park to honor Earnhardt’s seven Cup championships; and its oval layout represents a racetrack.
Atrium Health Ballpark
The Cannon Ballers, Single-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox, bring Kannapolis pride to the plate with a nod to Dale Earnhardt — from Boomer’s iconic mustache to the subtle No. 3 in the team’s logo. Game nights are a blast with Bark at the Park, fireworks and more fun promotional nights on deck. Is your race day slated during Minor League Baseball’s offseason? Atrium Health Ballpark doubles as a public park on non-game days, inviting you to enjoy its playground and concourse walking trail year-round.
Towel City Tavern
Known for beer, bourbon and barbecue, this local restaurant also brings excellent baseball views. Pair your meal with a cold beer, brewed in-house by Cabarrus Brewing Company, and enjoy the terrace overlooking the ballpark. Towel City is a stop on Cabarrus County’s craft beverage trail. Afterward, you’re in perfect proximity to shop and play even more in downtown Kannapolis.
Hendrick Motorsports
Visit Hendrick Motorsports — one of the top teams in NASCAR and located just 1 mile from Charlotte Motor Speedway — to get a closeup look at famous stock cars and championship trophies. If you’re loving the behind-the-scenes experience, other NASCAR race shops throughout Cabarrus County include Trackhouse Racing and RFK Racing. Pro tip: Keep an eye out for details on special fan events. Many race shops welcome visitors for autographs, tours and more during race week.
Morrison Motor Car Museum
This museum features interesting exhibits and more than 50 automobiles from the 1920s to present, including cars from the movie “Talladega Nights,” which was filmed in the area. Don’t miss the gift shop; it’s fully stocked with NASCAR merchandise and automotive collectibles.
The Smoke Pit
You can't come to NC without grabbing some ‘cue. Co-founded by former NASCAR engine builder Devin Barbee, this local favorite takes pride in its meats that are smoked up to 18 hours with local hickory. Don’t forget the scratch-made sides like mac n’ cheese, smoked pork BBQ beans and deviled egg potato salad.
Southern Grace Distilleries
Did you know stock racing dates back to the Prohibition era? Take a one-hour tour and learn about NC’s moonshine history at this award-winning distillery housed in a former prison. Each tour ends with a tasting of their straight bourbon whiskey, and reservations are strongly recommended. Southern Grace dabbles in other kinds of spirits too — who’s up for exploring the grounds of the 90-year-old prison with an experienced paranormal investigator?
73 & Main
Stop in for dinner after your distillery tour and enjoy meals made with local ingredients, including bourbon from neighboring Southern Grace Distilleries. With almost 100 different options, the restaurant boasts the largest selection of antique and rare bourbon south of DC, and it also offers craft brews from the onsite Old Well Brewery. Locals love the prime rib.
K1 Speed
It’s time to get into race mode. Heading to the all-electric indoor go-kart racing will let your whole group get on track and in on the action. Racing memorabilia lines the walls, setting the scene for photo-worthy moments between laps, and trackside dining includes family-friendly bites and an extensive beverage menu. Can anyone in your crew beat the track record?
Charlotte Motor Speedway
Race day! Whether you’re in town for the Coca-Cola 600 over Memorial Day Weekend or for the fall NASCAR races in October — or a high-octane drag or sprint car series race — experiencing motorsports firsthand brings heart-pounding excitement. Amp up the experience with a headset and scanner to listen in on the teams, arrive early to enjoy prerace entertainment and explore the infield, or set up camp just steps from the action so the adrenaline kicks in as soon as you wake up.
This itinerary was produced in partners ship with Explore Cabarrus.
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Your trip at a glance
Stop 1
Local Patriot Roasting Co.
Stop 2
Curb Museum for Music & Motorsports
Stop 3
Dale Earnhardt Tribute Plaza
Stop 4
Atrium Health Ballpark
Stop 5
Towel City Tavern
Stop 6
Hendrick Motorsports
Stop 7
Morrison Motor Car Museum
Stop 8
The Smoke Pit
Stop 9
Southern Grace Distilleries
Stop 10
73 & Main
Stop 11
K1 Speed
Stop 12