Charlotte city buses turn into race cars for NASCAR Month | Community Spirit

MECKLENBURG COUNTY - Charlotte Motor Speedway is teaming up with the Charlotte Area Transit System for an innovative new way to promote the speedway's October NASCAR events.

Two CATS buses will get a custom wrap that looks exactly like a NASCAR stock car. The buses will carry ticket information and logos for three NASCAR events taking place at the speedway in October: Bojangles' Pole Night on Oct. 14, the Dollar General 300 on Oct. 15 and the Bank of America 500 on Oct. 16.

The artwork was designed by SMI Properties. The bus wraps are the first for CATS since its formation in 1998.

The wrapped buses will take various routes around Charlotte. CATS operates more than 70 routes in the city, transporting more than 22 million passengers each year.

"This is a unique new way to promote October's biggest sporting event, the Bank of America 500," said Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway. "City buses may not go 200 miles per hour, but these will look like they're ready to take on the 24-degree banking at the speedway. The wrapped buses will also remind fans of the convenient express route CATS provides to the speedway on race day."

Charlotte Motor Speedway is once again partnering with CATS to bring bus service from Center City Charlotte to the track. Starting from the Charlotte Transportation Center, race fans can take the 79X Concord Mills Express to beat the traffic and enjoy the Bank of America 500 at the speedway for just $7 round-trip.

The route will run every 20 minutes from noon to 6 p.m. on Oct. 16. Return trips will begin immediately after the checkered flag as race fans make their way to the buses near the track's main entrance.

Tickets can be purchased at the Charlotte Transportation Center at 310 East Trade Street in Center City or online at http://secure.ridetransit.org/psales/. For more information visit www.ridetransit.org or call (704) 336-RIDE (7433).