It is here that teams build, fix, prep, tune, paint and decal their cars each week. I have to look at old pictures to jog my memory. It's to the point where now when I go out to eat, I don't recognize anyone. That's because anywhere grown men named Rusty and Sterling congregate, race fans follow. Tourist season peaks this week with 30,000 to 40,000 visitors in town for the Coca Cola 600 on Sunday at nearby Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Fans travel from Japan, Italy, Germany, England and Canada as well as every state in the union.
They want a peek at the shop floors, and most teams are happy to oblige, providing a viewing window where they can watch mechanics ready each team's cars. And there is always a souvenir store on the grounds. While the city is quaint and stock car racing big business, the sport's unique followers make Mooresville a popular destination. For most fans, sport is a diversion. On May 6, Steve and Heather Hassenplug of Lafayette, Ind., tied the knot and went straight back to work the following week.