It’s been around since 1960, which is a full two years before I was born, making it certifiably old. The track formally known as Charlotte Motor Speedway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway has been the site of some great NASCAR memories through the years.
It was the first NASCAR facility to have condos and in 1999 became another trendsetter when Speedway Motorsports Inc. sold the naming rights and it became Lowe’s Motor Speedway.
But now after a decade as Lowe’s the naming rights contract is over and Lowe’s has decided not to renew it. SMI chairman Bruton Smith, also known as ‘The Man’ confirmed the news to the Associated Press last week and when I called him gave me the answer I knew he would: “Who are you and how did you get my number?”
So barring a last minute credit line increase on Lowe’s American Express card, Lowe’s Motor Speedway will once again become Charlotte Motor Speedway starting in 2010.
But let’s face it, Charlotte Motor Speedway sounds pretty boring and racing at Lowe’s er Charlotte, or whatever is never boring. So it’s up to us the NASCAR Nation to roll up our sleeves and pitch in.
Here’s the challenge; to come up with a name, albeit tongue in cheek, for the Speedway formally known as Lowe’s or Charlotte.
There are no limits really. Some that come to mind are “Burton’s Playground and Raceway’ or ‘Humpy’s Heavenly Speedway’ (we just can’t let Bruton in on that one until the paint on the signs is dry) or ‘The Best Damn Track To Ever Be Built Bar None’…. you get the idea.
The rules are simple; Keep it tongue in cheek. I know there is a certain element of ‘fans’ who want to bash NASCAR whenever they can so names like ‘Brian’s a do-do head’ or the ‘COT Sucks Speedway’ will be rejected.
If you do leave a legitimate, funny, name besides posting it here please email me at the email link that can be found on my bio page (a link can be found at the top of this page) with your idea, your email and your real name.
I can’t promise you that you'll actually win anything should your naming idea be chosen as the best, but I can promise you a bit of fame and some bar room bragging rights.
Good luck, the sport of NASCAR is depending on you….
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Comments
Charlotte Motor Speedway. It's a great name and a lot of NASCAR history has been made there.
Just call it "Jimmy's Place" since the 48 car wins there a lot! :)
Home Depot Highway
Don't forget to email me if you have a name ...use the contact link on my bio...don't forget to include what your idea is and your real name!
I'd name it Curtis Turner Speedway since he built the track to begin with.
I agree with John. Charlotte Motor Speedway sounds good.
Humpy's legacy
Go back to calling it what it is: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway.
It's as simple as that.
One Hot Track!!
Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Charlotte Motor Speedway.
No naming rights, period. Maybe then we won't see the kind of shenanigans I saw the year that the race officials kept rain-delaying the Coke 600 until the Lowes car got the lead, and then the officials promptly called the race. What a conflict of interest.
For the record, I was also there when Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Matt Kenseth, and Jamie McMurray all won their first race. The place is special, whatever the name.
Cater to the whiners who say all tracks are the same, call it D-Shaped Cookie Cutter A, and name all tracks similarly.
How about "The Curtis Turner/Hall of Fame Motorspeedway"
Al Unser Jr Speedway, no question. The guy's a hero, look what he did here: www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4g9fcEeMog
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