There are few names in the world of American performance that carry the weight of Shelby American. Founded by the legendary Carroll Shelby, Shelby American has spent decades manufacturing and marketing some of the most iconic performance vehicles on the planet, including the Shelby GT, GT350, GT500, Super Snake, GT-S, and more. All developed out of its Las Vegas, Nevada headquarters. When a brand like that puts its name behind an event, it means something. At Mustang Week Charlotte 2026, Shelby American is stepping in as the presenting sponsor of Track Day, and they are showing up in force.
Thursday, August 27 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Track Day takes place on Thursday, August 27 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, operated by Wheelhouse Racing School, and it is one of the most anticipated days on the entire Mustang Week Charlotte schedule. Gates open at 8 AM and the action runs through 5 PM, giving participants a full day on one of the most storied motorsports facilities in the country.
High Performance Driver Education (a.k.a HPDE sessions) will be offered for novice, intermediate, and advanced drivers to hot-lap their own car on track. Whether this is your first time on a road course or you have logged serious seat time, there is a run group built for your experience level. HPDE is strictly educational track time focused on improving car control, driving technique, and track awareness. There are no trophies, mass starts, or wheel-to-wheel racing. All Fords from a stock 200 horsepower Fox body to all-out track monsters are welcome!
For those who want to experience Charlotte Motor Speedway without the pressure of running at pace, the Track Experience option offers parade laps on both the legendary Superspeedway and the ROVAL, giving every attendee the chance to put their Mustang on track and stake their claim to one of the most iconic circuits in American motorsports.
Shelby American On Site With Ride-Alongs
Here is where the day takes on a whole new dimension. Shelby American will be on site at Charlotte Motor Speedway with several of its Mustangs available for ride-alongs throughout Track Day. This is a rare opportunity to experience what a purpose-built Shelby feels like from the passenger seat, on a world-class road course, driven by people who know exactly what these cars are capable of. If fortune favors you, there is a chance to ride shotgun with Shelby President Gary Patterson or Vice President of Production and Chief Designer Vince LaViolette, both of whom are known to occasionally take the wheel themselves!
Whether you’re a lifelong Shelby fan or simply someone who appreciates what Carroll Shelby’s legacy means to American performance, climbing into one of these cars at Charlotte Motor Speedway is a moment you will not forget.
Get Your Tickets Before Spots Are Gone
Track Day at Charlotte Motor Speedway is one of the most in-demand experiences at Mustang Week Charlotte 2026, and with Shelby American on site adding ride-alongs to an already stacked day, spots will go quickly. Head to MustangWeek.com, grab your Mustang Week tickets, and make sure Track Day is locked into your schedule before it sells out.