If you’re among the enthusiasts that hit the apex on freeway entry ramps and apply a bit more throttle input then most around turns, then Autocross presented by General Tire at Mustang Week Charlotte just might be the exact place for you.
Just in case you’re unfamiliar, autocross is a timed, closed-course driving discipline where precision and car control matter more than straight-line speed. Courses are laid out with cones, and the goal is simple: get through cleanly and put down the best time you can. It is one of the most accessible and rewarding forms of motorsport available, welcoming everyone from first-time participants to seasoned veterans who have been threading cones for years.
At Mustang Week Charlotte 2026 presented by Monster Energy and Roush Performance, the autocross program is designed and managed by Wheelhouse Racing School, the same team bringing world-class instruction and track operations to the entire week at Charlotte Motor Speedway. When Wheelhouse builds a course, you know it is going to be thoughtfully laid out.
When and Where
Autocross takes place Friday, August 28 and Saturday, August 29 at zMAX Dragway in Concord, North Carolina, running from 11 AM to 5 PM both days. That is two full days of cone-chasing action on one of the most iconic motorsports properties in the country.
How It Works
When the gates open, the autocross course is available for unlimited runs, giving every participant the opportunity to get comfortable, find their rhythm, and dial in their lines before the real competition begins. Later in the day, the format shifts to the Dial-In Autocross Challenge, a consistency-based bracket competition where precision is everything and raw speed alone will not get you to the podium.
Here is how the Dial-In Challenge works: a baseline lap time is established, and from there, competitors work to match that time as closely as possible in subsequent runs. The winner is not the fastest driver on the course. It is the most consistent one. Two cars run head to head in each bracket round, and the driver who comes closest to their time without going under advances. Think of it like a dial-in drag race, just with cones instead of a Christmas tree. Awards will be presented to the top three finishers.
A few rules to keep in mind: helmets are required for all drivers and passengers, seat belts must be worn at all times on the track, and vehicles must pass a basic safety tech inspection before taking their first run. Knock a cone out of its box and you are looking at a two second penalty. Miss a gate or take the wrong line around a pointer cone and that run gets striked from the record.
Didn’t Bring Your Car? No Problem.
One of the best things about the Mustang Week Autocross program is that you do not need to have your own car to get involved. Ride-alongs with a pro are available for two laps at $50, putting you in the passenger seat with an experienced driver who knows exactly what they are doing out there.
Or, step it up with the Rent to Drive option, where $99 gets you two timed laps behind the wheel of a 2025 Mustang GT with instructor coaching included. A valid license and minimum age requirements apply.
How to Sign Up
Head to MustangWeek.com to purchase your ticket and add your autocross entry. Participants will need an All-Access Participant ticket, which grants access to all Mustang Week events throughout the week. Tickets are available in advance and at the gate, but here is the thing: autocross spots are limited, and this event fills up.
Every year, registration closes before people expect it to, and nobody wants to show up to zMAX ready to run and find out the roster is full. Do not let that be you. Get to MustangWeek.com, lock in your spot, and come to Charlotte ready to put your Mustang through its paces. The cones are waiting.