Content Produced in Partnership with Visit Mooresville, NC

When it comes to NASCAR powerhouses, few cities can rival that of Mooresville, North Carolina. Located just 20 miles north of Charlotte, Race City USA is a place that has a serious need for speed. Home to numerous race teams, auto shops and pieces of motorsports history, Mooresville is the place to learn about past leagues like NASCAR or the inner workings of what it takes to get ready for a race. A lot of race teams are headquartered in town — so many that it might be hard to choose where to go. To get you started on your motorsports journey, we’ve got the master list of the not-to-miss racing destinations in Mooresville.

Photo by Tyler Phillips

JR Motorsports

As Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s team, JR Motorsports is a must-see in the area. Be sure to swing into one of NASCAR’s most beloved driver’s shop to see race memorabilia and mechanics preparing cars for upcoming runs. Signed helmets, tires from races and trophies are all around. JR Motorsports even has an area dedicated to Earnhardt’s non-profit organization, The Dale Jr. Foundation, which raises money for underprivileged children in the area. Here, you can pick up cool gear all while donating to a good cause. On a plaque in the shop, Dale Jr. says the foundation is his greatest accomplishment. This is a man who has reached the pinnacle of racing by winning the NASCAR Xfinity series and the famous Daytona 500 two times a piece. It’s easy to see why he won NASCAR's Most Popular Driver Award 15 years in a row.

Photo by Tyler Phillips

Penske Racing

One of the most successful and respected names in all of racing helps Race City USA live up to its name. Penske Racing has an impressive facility and their drivers include superstars like Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano. When you’re visiting Penske Racing, go upstairs to the Fan Walk to stroll the length of the garage and get a bird’s eye view of the entire operation. We were able to see mechanics preparing two cars for the next week’s NASCAR race and saw others that were still only shells without paint jobs. If you only have time to visit one shop while in Mooresville, make Penske a priority.

Photo by Tyler Phillips

Kyle Busch Motorsports

NASCAR has a lot of big personalities, and race champion Kyle Busch is certainly as colorful as they come — both on and off the track. Busch’s shop, home to his Camping World Truck Series vehicles, features up-and-coming drivers whose resumes are already impressive. Trucks from past races are on display in the showroom, as well as the car Busch was driving when he won the 2015 NASCAR championship — rub marks and all. These are not recreations; they’re the real deal.

Photo via NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame

Walk Through NASCAR History

There’s more to Mooresville than current race teams. The city also has two stops dedicated to those who paved the way for drivers like Joey Logano, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kyle Busch.

NC Auto Racing Walk of Fame

When you’re in downtown Mooresville, you can’t miss the North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame. Plaque inlays on the sidewalk honor drivers, team owners, and motorsports innovators like Dale Earnhardt, Richard Petty, and Darrell Waltrip. The Walk of Fame makes for a great photo opp and way to celebrate the legends and kings of racing. It’s an easy walk and there are plenty of benches and shops in downtown Mooresville for you to stop and relax.

NC Auto Racing Hall of Fame

To truly appreciate how impressive modern NASCAR is, you really need to dive into the evolution of the sport. The North Carolina Auto Racing Hall of Fame is a museum dedicated to preserving the history of all motorsports and to educating fans. The Hall of Fame has more than 40 different cars on display, with everything from drag racing vehicles to stock cars. There is also a mini theater where fans can watch a video exploring the history of NASCAR. It’s safe to say this spot has a little bit of it all.