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NASCAR

Race fans who love to camp get more spots at Lowe's

By SceneDaily.com

Jan 26, 2009

CONCORD, N.C. – Lowe’s Motor Speedway is taking out some seats in Turns 1 and 2 to make room for about 20 luxury motorhome spots.

A few thousand seats will be removed, according to speedway President Marcus Smith.

In its 2008 annual report, the track reported that it had approximately 162,000 seats, including suites.

“We had a lot of demand for high-end camping from fans and sponsors and people who love to camp,” Smith said. “We haven’t seen any fall-off with camping, even with high gas prices [last summer]. We’re very appreciative of our camping fans.

“We want to give them what they want, and they are asking for more amenities. At some of these high-end RV and motorcoach areas, you have got big stone fireplaces and just amazing amenities.”

Those who purchase a spot will be able to look over the track between Turns 1 and 2.

“We had to carve out a few seats, and they’re actually our worst seats in terms of quality seating in the first turn,” Smith said. “We took those out and we’re flattening the ground and we’re going to come back with a very nice-end camping area.”

Texas Motor Speedway, another track under the Speedway Motorsports Inc. banner, recently began work on a similar project.

“What we’re doing there in Texas will produce more income [and] the same here,” SMI Chairman Bruton Smith said of the Charlotte changes.