Charlotte, NC, December 14, 2025
The North Carolina State Highway Patrol held its inaugural Lights and Sirens Race for Hope 5K at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with around 300 runners participating. The event, aimed at raising funds for Special Olympics North Carolina, included both a 5K run and a 1.5-mile fun run. Key sponsors included Charlotte Motor Speedway and various local businesses. Participants received T-shirts and finisher medals, contributing to a successful initiative supporting athletes with intellectual disabilities.
Concord, NC – North Carolina State Highway Patrol Hosts Inaugural Lights and Sirens Race for Hope 5K at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Concord, NC – On December 13, 2025, the North Carolina State Highway Patrol organized the inaugural Lights and Sirens Race for Hope 5K at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, aiming to raise funds for Special Olympics North Carolina. Approximately 300 runners participated in the event, which featured a 5K run and a 1.5-mile fun run on the track. Sponsors included Charlotte Motor Speedway, Hendrick Automotive Group, Whelen Engineering, Dunkin’ Coastal Franchising, Bullington Construction, FanDuel, Climate Systems, Walmart, Farm Bureau Cabarrus, Fink & Hayes, and SweetFrog. Participants received a T-shirt, and 5K registrants received a finisher medal.
Event Details
- Event Name: Lights and Sirens Race for Hope 5K
- Date: December 13, 2025
- Location: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC
- Participants: Approximately 300 runners
- Race Options: 5K run and 1.5-mile fun run
- Sponsors: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Hendrick Automotive Group, Whelen Engineering, Dunkin’ Coastal Franchising, Bullington Construction, FanDuel, Climate Systems, Walmart, Farm Bureau Cabarrus, Fink & Hayes, and SweetFrog
- Participant Perks: T-shirt and finisher medal for 5K registrants
Background
The Lights and Sirens Race for Hope 5K is a new initiative by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol to support Special Olympics North Carolina. The event took place at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, a renowned venue in Concord, NC, known for hosting various major races since its inaugural season of racing in 1960.
Weather Conditions
On the day of the event, Concord, NC, experienced cloudy conditions with a high of 46°F (8°C). A morning shower was expected, followed by sunny to partly cloudy skies, with gusty winds and a high fire threat.
About Charlotte Motor Speedway
Charlotte Motor Speedway is a quad-oval intermediate speedway in Concord, North Carolina, with a capacity of 95,000 as of 2021. The track features numerous amenities, including a Speedway Club, condos, and a seven-story tower located on the complex for office space and souvenirs. In addition, the Charlotte Motor Speedway complex features numerous adjacent tracks, including a clay short track, a dirt track, and a long drag strip known as ZMax Dragway. The main track also features an infield road course that is utilized to create a “roval”.
Special Olympics North Carolina
Special Olympics North Carolina is a nonprofit organization that provides year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. The organization aims to provide athletes with opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy, and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills, and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes, and the community.
Future Events
For those interested in upcoming events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the Speedway Christmas drive-thru holiday light show is currently ongoing. The event features more than 5 million lights on a four-mile course circling the iconic oval, pit road, and infield road course. The show is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., rain or shine, and runs until January 4, 2026.
Contact Information
For more information about the Lights and Sirens Race for Hope 5K or other events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, please visit the official website or contact the speedway directly.
About the Author
This article was written by a staff member at Charlotte Motor Speedway, providing information about the recent Lights and Sirens Race for Hope 5K event and related details.
Related Articles
- Highway Patrol Hosts Fundraiser to Support Special Olympics North Carolina
- Upcoming Events at Charlotte Motor Speedway
- Special Olympics North Carolina: Making a Difference in the Community
FAQ
- What is the Lights and Sirens Race for Hope 5K?
- The Lights and Sirens Race for Hope 5K is an event organized by the North Carolina State Highway Patrol to raise funds for Special Olympics North Carolina. The inaugural event took place on December 13, 2025, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, NC, featuring a 5K run and a 1.5-mile fun run on the track.
- Who were the sponsors of the event?
- The event was sponsored by Charlotte Motor Speedway, Hendrick Automotive Group, Whelen Engineering, Dunkin’ Coastal Franchising, Bullington Construction, FanDuel, Climate Systems, Walmart, Farm Bureau Cabarrus, Fink & Hayes, and SweetFrog.
- What are the weather conditions in Concord, NC, on the day of the event?
- On December 13, 2025, Concord, NC, experienced cloudy conditions with a high of 46°F (8°C). A morning shower was expected, followed by sunny to partly cloudy skies, with gusty winds and a high fire threat.
- What is Speedway Christmas at Charlotte Motor Speedway?
- Speedway Christmas is the Southeast’s largest drive-thru holiday light show, featuring more than 5 million lights on a four-mile course circling the iconic oval, pit road, and infield road course. The show is open from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., rain or shine, and runs until January 4, 2026.
- How can I get more information about events at Charlotte Motor Speedway?
- For more information about the Lights and Sirens Race for Hope 5K or other events at Charlotte Motor Speedway, please visit the official website or contact the speedway directly.
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Key Features
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Event Name | Lights and Sirens Race for Hope 5K |
| Date | December 13, 2025 |
| Location | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, NC |
| Participants | Approximately 300 runners |
| Race Options | 5K run and 1.5-mile fun run |
| Sponsors | Charlotte Motor Speedway, Hendrick Automotive Group, Whelen Engineering, Dunkin’ Coastal Franchising, Bullington Construction, FanDuel, Climate Systems, Walmart, Farm Bureau Cabarrus, Fink & Hayes, and SweetFrog |
| Participant Perks | T-shirt and finisher medal for 5K registrants |
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