Charlotte Motor Speedway weather
Charlotte Motor Speedway runs two very different race weekends: the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend, which starts in the early evening and finishes under the lights, and the October playoff race, run on the infield ROVAL road course in recent seasons. Late May in Concord is warm and humid with a real chance of a passing thunderstorm; October is usually dry and comfortable.
7-day forecast
| Day | High / low | Rain chance | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tonight | — / 63°F | 83% | Chance Showers And Thunderstorms then Showers And Thunderstorms |
| Wednesday | 67° / 57°F | 86% | Rain Showers |
| Thursday | 63° / 52°F | 82% | Rain Showers |
| Friday | 71° / 50°F | 0% | Sunny |
| Saturday | 74° / 52°F | 0% | Sunny |
| Sunday | 76° / 53°F | 1% | Sunny |
| Monday | 78° / 55°F | 1% | Sunny |
National Weather Service forecast for the area around Concord, NC, refreshed hourly. Hourly detail and radar at weather.gov.
Typical race-weekend weather
| Month | Race | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Rainy days |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| May | Coca-Cola 600 | 80°F | 58°F | 3.4 in | 6 |
| October | October playoff race | 73°F | 50°F | 3.2 in | 4 |
NOAA 1991–2020 climate normals, Charlotte Douglas International Airport (USW00013881). Rainy days are days with at least 0.1 in of precipitation.
Sun and shade
The main frontstretch grandstand faces roughly east, so through the afternoon and into the Coca-Cola 600's evening start the sun sits behind you and sets behind the stands rather than in your eyes. You are still in direct sun until it drops, so cover your neck. The only climate-controlled option is premium indoor clubhouse seating opposite pit road.
If it rains
Speedway Motorsports Weather Guarantee
If weather postpones a NASCAR race and you can't attend the rescheduled date, you get a ticket credit toward a future NASCAR race at any Speedway Motorsports track. There are no cash refunds, and you must redeem within 60 days of the original date or by the end of the calendar year, whichever comes first.
It does not apply to a delay if the race still finishes on the original date — even after midnight — or to a race shortened by weather that counts as official. Only race tickets bought directly from the speedway or Ticketmaster qualify; resold and complimentary tickets, parking, camping and pit passes do not.
Coolers, bags and umbrellas
Coolers
One soft-sided cooler no bigger than 14 × 14 × 14 inches. Hard coolers are not allowed through the gates, and coolers are banned in the 300 Level Club Deck, the Indoor Clubhouse and Club Suites.
Bags
A bag or backpack up to 18 × 18 × 14 inches. There is no clear-bag requirement.
Umbrellas
Not allowed — no umbrellas of any kind in the grandstands, suites or The Speedway Club. Bring a poncho.
Gate rules checked against the track's official pages on 2026-09-23. Tracks change them between seasons, so confirm before race day.
What to bring
- A poncho — umbrellas are banned
- Sunscreen and a hat for the afternoon, then a light layer: late-May lows average 58°F once the sun goes down
- A soft-sided cooler (14 × 14 × 14 in max) with water — no glass
- Ear protection, plus a seat cushion for a four-plus-hour race
Charlotte Motor Speedway weather questions
Can you bring a cooler into Charlotte Motor Speedway?
Yes: one soft-sided cooler no larger than 14 × 14 × 14 inches. Hard coolers are turned away at the gate, and coolers aren't allowed in the 300 Level Club Deck, Indoor Clubhouse or Club Suites.
Is there shade at Charlotte Motor Speedway?
Very little. The grandstands are uncovered, but the main frontstretch stands face east, so the afternoon and evening sun is behind you rather than in your eyes. Indoor climate-controlled clubhouse seats opposite pit road are the only fully shaded option.
What happens if it rains at the Coca-Cola 600?
Rain delays don't earn a credit if the race still finishes on the original date, even past midnight. If the race is postponed to another day and you can't go, the Speedway Motorsports Weather Guarantee gives you a ticket credit — not a refund — for a future Speedway Motorsports NASCAR race.
Are umbrellas allowed at Charlotte Motor Speedway?
No. Umbrellas of any kind are prohibited in the grandstands, suites and The Speedway Club, so bring a poncho.
What's the weather usually like for the Coca-Cola 600?
NOAA's 1991–2020 normals for Charlotte put late-May highs around 80°F and lows near 58°F, with measurable rain on about six days in the month. Expect a warm, humid afternoon and a noticeably cooler finish after dark.