Hendrick Motorsports is looking to shift its Charlotte-area footprint into a higher gear, filing a rezoning petition for nearly 23 acres at the northeast corner of Morehead Road and Old Holland Road in Mecklenburg County. The team wants permission to use the property for manufacturing, fabrication and light assembly operations, a move that signals yet another campus expansion just outside the Charlotte Motor Speedway orbit. The filing, submitted March 12, kicks off a review that could reshape a sizable stretch of land near the track.
As reported by the Charlotte Business Journal, the petition was submitted by an entity tied to Hendrick and specifically asks county officials to reclassify the parcel to allow light industrial uses. The site totals nearly 23 acres at the intersection of Morehead and Old Holland roads. If county leaders sign off, the new zoning would permit on-site manufacturing and light assembly tied to racing, automotive supply or other compatible industrial tenants.
The move fits a clear pattern. In recent years, Hendrick has steadily snapped up land around Concord and Charlotte to support shops, technical facilities and manufacturing space for partners. In December, the Sports Business Journal noted that an entity connected to Hendrick had purchased roughly 20 acres near Charlotte Motor Speedway, highlighting plans for larger manufacturing projects in the area. Those earlier buys helped attract advanced-manufacturing tenants and set the table for more industrial activity around the campus.
On the main campus, Hendrick has been pouring money into facilities that serve both racing operations and industrial partners. In January, Hendrick Motorsports unveiled the Atrium Health Motorsports Athletic Center, a new training and sports-medicine hub for pit crews and staff, according to a team news release. The property also houses Hendrick Motorsports Technical Solutions and other manufacturing-focused operations that aim to turn racing expertise into broader industrial production muscle.
What The Rezoning Would Allow
The rezoning petition spells out manufacturing, fabrication and light assembly as permitted uses, language that would open the door to production lines, parts fabrication and related industrial activity on the site. That description comes from the Charlotte Business Journal's review of the filing and zoning documents. Supporters typically argue that such uses bring local jobs tied to Hendrick's racing and automotive ecosystem, while critics often worry about added traffic and shifts in how the land can be used.
Why This Could Matter
Hendrick's land buys and facility build-outs have already redrawn the industrial map east of Charlotte, pulling in high-tech manufacturing tenants and boosting the region's profile as a motorsports manufacturing hub. The Sports Business Journal reported that previous purchases near the speedway were tied to multi-building manufacturing plans and outside-firm investment, a signal that this latest rezoning could set the stage for more permanent industrial employers. Local officials and economic development boosters frequently frame these projects as engines for tax revenue and specialized job growth.
Next Steps
The petition now moves into the planning-review phase, where county staff will evaluate traffic, stormwater and land-use impacts before any public hearings and final vote by elected officials. Developers and nearby residents can expect months of technical analysis and multiple chances to weigh in as the case works through the county process. A clearer timeline should emerge once staff reports are released and hearing dates are posted.
For Hendrick, the rezoning push is the latest chapter in a multi-year expansion that has quietly transformed the landscape around the speedway. Local leaders and neighbors will be watching closely as the proposal navigates reviews, meetings and, eventually, a yes-or-no decision from county officials.
