Robby Faggart's ties to Charlotte Motor Speedway are stronger than most drivers in the Bojangles' Summer Shootout. Faggart began racing at the speedway in the 1980s, and has won on both the 1.5-mile superspeedway and its frontstretch quarter-mile. Faggart, 55, grew up 10 minutes from the speedway in Concord, North Carolina, and worked as an executive assistant at the track from 1982-85.
Faggart has mastered the speedway in multiple facets, so it's only fitting that he's the championship favorite in the Bojangles' Summer Shootout Legend Car Masters division.
His first taste of success at the speedway came in 1986 in the NASCAR Charlotte/Daytona Dash Series. Faggart won in the Sportsman division on numerous occasions in the early 1990s, and parlayed his results into a part-time NASCAR XFINITY Series ride later in the decade. Faggart figured his best years were behind him, so he shifted his focus in recent years from driving to coaching his son, Dillon, who competes in the In Light Wellness Legend Car Pro division.
"When Dillon started, it was all about him," Faggart said. "He got to where he really didn't need me, and he got to winning races. But I figured since I'm an old racer, if I'm going to the track, I'm going to race."
Faggart didn't think he'd could cut it in Legend Cars. He nearly quit driving them two years ago, because he couldn't find his comfort zone in machines that are significantly smaller than the NASCAR cars Faggart drove throughout the 1980s and 1990s.
"There's quite a big difference in driving these (Legend) cars and there's a different feel that you've got to have than (stock cars)," Faggart said. "The last five races of last year, I finally caught on."
Did he ever. Faggart kicked off this year's Bojangles' Summer Shootout by winning four of the first six Masters races. And while he's won numerous events at the speedway, every trophy Faggart claims carries meaning to him.
"Any kind of win here at Charlotte Motor Speedway is very special. This race track is like the Holy Grail of race tracks," Faggart said. "I would love to have a Masters championship from here."
Fans can find a free live stream of the Bojangles' Summer Shootout at CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com, USLegendCars.com and GoPRN.com as well as on the US Legend Cars YouTube channel starting at 7 p.m. each night. Additionally, fans can document their experiences using the hashtag #LetsBoRacing on social media.
Additionally, as a salute to the nation's brave defenders of safety and society, each law enforcement member attending a Bojangles' Summer Shootout event with valid identification card will receive FREE admission for the law enforcement member and their family.
Spectator gates open at 5 p.m. with preliminary action starting at 5:10 p.m. Opening ceremonies are scheduled at 7 p.m., and feature races are scheduled to conclude by approximately 10 p.m.
TICKETS:
Tickets, which cost only $8 for adults and FREE for kids 13 and under, can be purchased at the gate or in advance by calling 800-455-FANS or online at charlottemotorspeedway.com. Fans can also watch half-hour weekly Bojangles' Summer Shootout highlight shows on MAVtv.
KEEP TRACK:
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