Ticket sales strong for Charlotte races

Ticket sales for the NASCAR races at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been strong leading up to the Sprint All-Star Race and Coca-Cola 600, officials said Monday as they kicked off the run-up to the speedway’s busiest two weeks.

Speedway spokesman Scott Cooper said ticket sales are pacing to be ahead of last year, and that with pleasant weather, the track should have a good year. Cooper and other officials were gathered uptown Monday at the NASCAR Hall of Fame to tout the races’ benefits for the local economy.

The Sprint All-Star Race is set for Saturday and the Coca-Cola 600 will be held on May 24. The annual Speed Street festival, a free event held uptown, is scheduled for May 21 to May 23.

The races are expected to draw visitors from all 50 states and 15 foreign countries, Cooper said.

"The speedway events in May alone will generate $230 million of economic impacts in the region," said Cooper. Charlotte Observer