NCM Motorsports Park
Location
Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA
Current Local Time
Track Info
NCM Motorsports Park - Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA
Technical multi-layout circuit beside the National Corvette Museum - combining rapid corner sequences, elevation changes and Le Mans-inspired features
When was the track built?
The National Corvette Museum proposed the circuit in 2010 as a place for racing, testing, driver education and Corvette experiences. Construction of the approximately $20 million first phase began in June 2013.
Designer Steve Crawford worked with Corvette Racing to create a course with features inspired by the Circuit de la Sarthe at Le Mans. The completed venue opened on 28 August 2014, directly across Interstate 65 from the museum and close to the Corvette assembly plant.
An EF-3 tornado badly damaged the facility in December 2021. Repairs developed into a larger improvement programme that upgraded garages, event spaces and the Holley Control Tower.
When was its first race?
The first officially sanctioned race weekend was the ChumpCar World Series meeting from 17 to 19 October 2014. The endurance event was called the Chumptucky Derby and introduced club racers to the newly opened Grand Full Course.
What's the circuit like?
- Long and technical: The full lap contains frequent corners, leaving drivers little time to relax.
- Blind rises: Elevation changes can hide corner exits and make braking points difficult to judge.
- Several configurations: Organisers can use the full course, separate East and West circuits or shorter connecting routes.
- Le Mans influence: An optional chicane and several named sections recall features of the famous French endurance circuit.
NCM rewards rhythm and accuracy. Entering one corner badly can leave a driver incorrectly positioned for several turns that follow.
Lap records and benchmarks
- Sports prototype: 2:00.091 - Ghais Khaleghi, Stohr, 2023.
- SCCA Unlimited and front-wheel drive: 2:01.497 - James Rauck, Honda Civic, 2025.
- Production-based car: 2:01.983 - Steve Luca, 2024.
These are time-attack benchmarks rather than one consolidated set of wheel-to-wheel race records. The exact layout and timing rules should always be checked before comparing laps.
What events are held here?
NCM hosts SCCA and NASA competition, endurance racing, time attack, motorcycle events, autocross and private testing. Its programme also includes high-performance driving education, Corvette experiences and public sessions for drivers using their own cars.
A separate karting facility provides arrive-and-drive sessions, leagues and group events.
Why go?
The circuit is ideal for Corvette enthusiasts because the museum, racetrack and assembly plant are located close together. Visitors do not need to own a Corvette, however, and most events welcome many different types of cars and motorcycles.
Most meetings allow free spectating. Facilities include observation decks, garages, camping, concessions and an on-site fuel station.
Where's the best place to watch?
- Holley Control Tower: The upper observation deck provides a broad view across the circuit.
- Garage viewing deck: A convenient trackside position overlooking the back of the garage complex.
- Main straight: Best for starts, finishes and activity around the pit lane.
- Technical sections: Watch drivers manage the blind rises and rapidly connected corners.
Public access and available viewing areas vary between races, driving schools and private rentals. Check the organiser's information before travelling.
Transportation & Parking
Getting to NCM Motorsports Park (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
NCM Motorsports Park is beside Interstate 65 in Bowling Green, directly across from the National Corvette Museum. Driving or hiring a car is the easiest way to arrive, especially for track days and multi-day events.
Driving & parking (easiest way)
- From Nashville: take I-65 north towards Bowling Green and leave at Exit 28. Follow signs for the National Corvette Museum and Motorsports Park.
- From Louisville: take I-65 south towards Bowling Green and use Exit 28.
- Navigation: enter 505 Kimberlee A. Fast Drive, Bowling Green, KY 42103.
- Event parking: follow signs and organiser instructions when you arrive, as paddock and spectator access can differ between events.
Tip: The circuit has more than 1.5 miles of frontage along I-65, so it is much easier to find than many rural American race tracks.
Bus & public transport
Bowling Green has local bus services, but public transport is not the easiest way to reach the circuit itself.
- Within Bowling Green: GO bg provides local bus services around the city.
- For the circuit: do not assume there will be a dedicated race-day bus or shuttle unless your event specifically advertises one.
- Without a car: a taxi, rideshare or pre-arranged hotel transfer is normally easier for the final journey.
Airport transfers
- Nashville International Airport (BNA): the main airport for most visitors, around 70 miles south of Bowling Green.
- Rental car: the simplest option. BNA has multiple rental-car companies and direct road access towards I-65.
- Airport transfer: private shuttle companies also operate between Nashville Airport and Bowling Green if you do not want to drive.
- Bowling Green Airport: the local airport is useful for private and charter aviation but is not the normal choice for scheduled airline passengers.
Spectating
- Most events: NCM says most meetings allow spectators free of charge.
- Viewing: spectator areas include an observation deck at the Holley Control Tower and a trackside viewing deck behind the garage complex.
- Check first: admission and spectator rules can still vary depending on the organising club or event.
Camping & facilities
- RV sites: reservable 30-amp and 50-amp electrical sites are available at the circuit.
- Dry camping: paddock camping is also available for visitors who do not need an electrical hookup.
- Water: RV sites do not include water hookups.
- Facilities: campers have access to restrooms, hot showers, food services and overnight security.
- Fuel: the circuit has its own fuel station, including several grades of unleaded fuel, race fuel and diesel.
Staying nearby
- Bowling Green: the easiest base, with a wide choice of hotels, restaurants and shops close to I-65.
- Corvette visit: the National Corvette Museum is directly across the interstate, making it easy to combine both attractions in the same trip.
- Busy events: book early for major Corvette gatherings and large motorsport weekends.
Accessibility
- Limited mobility: arriving by car or taxi is the simplest way to reduce walking and transport changes.
- Viewing areas: NCM currently notes that its control-tower observation deck and garage viewing deck are not wheelchair accessible.
- Before travelling: contact the circuit or event organiser for the best accessible parking and viewing arrangements for your event.
Quick guide
- Driving? Take I-65 to Exit 28 and follow signs for NCM Motorsports Park.
- Flying? Nashville International Airport is the main choice; hiring a car is easiest.
- Staying overnight? Choose a Bowling Green hotel or reserve an on-site camping space.
Check NCM Motorsports Park and your event organiser shortly before travelling, as admission, paddock access, camping and parking arrangements can vary between events.
Nearby Activities
Things to do around NCM Motorsports Park (Bowling Green, Kentucky)
Whether you’re here for racing, a car or motorcycle track day, a Corvette experience or karting, NCM Motorsports Park puts you in Bowling Green - a city where American car culture meets caves, family attractions and the rolling countryside of southern Kentucky.
Family-friendly highlights nearby
- National Corvette Museum: The obvious first stop for race fans, with more than 100 Corvettes, historic cars and exhibits explaining how America's famous sports car developed.
- Lost River Cave: Take Kentucky's only underground cave boat tour, then explore woodland trails, a nature playscape and seasonal family activities above ground.
- Beech Bend Amusement Park: A traditional family amusement park with rides and the Splash Lagoon water park - particularly useful during hot summer visits.
- NCM Kartplex: Stay at the motorsports park and try outdoor rental karting. Public sessions are seasonal, so check the current calendar before arriving.
Culture hits & rainy-day winners
- National Corvette Museum: Even visitors who know little about cars can follow the story through historic models, prototypes and displays covering Corvette design and engineering.
- Historic RailPark & Train Museum: Tour restored railway cars and explore exhibits explaining how the Louisville & Nashville Railroad shaped the region.
- Aviation Heritage Park: See restored military aircraft connected with aviators from south-central Kentucky, with both outdoor displays and an indoor museum.
Eat & drink after the racing
- Downtown Bowling Green: The streets around Fountain Square are an easy place to find local restaurants, cafés and bars in a compact historic setting.
- Southern comfort food: Look for fried chicken, country ham, biscuits and other familiar Kentucky and Southern dishes if you want something straightforward after a long track day.
- Chaney's Dairy Barn: Visit a working dairy farm south of town for locally made ice cream and a relaxed family stop.
Active outdoors away from the track
- Lost River Cave trails: You do not need to take the cave tour to enjoy the property - woodland paths and unusual blue-hole scenery provide an easy local walk.
- Baker Arboretum: Walk among hundreds of plant varieties, sculptures and landscaped gardens on hills overlooking Bowling Green.
Easy day trips if you’re extending your stay
- Mammoth Cave National Park: Explore part of the world's longest known cave system on a ranger-led tour, or use the park's surface hiking and cycling routes. Reserve popular cave tours ahead.
- Mammoth Cave countryside: Combine a cave tour with walks, paddling or a scenic drive through the forested landscape north of Bowling Green for a full nature-focused day.
- Nashville: Tennessee's capital is around an hour south of Bowling Green, making its live music, museums and downtown attractions realistic for a longer stay.
Good to know when visiting NCM Motorsports Park
- Check the event calendar: NCM hosts public events alongside private rentals, driving schools and testing, so spectator access varies.
- Do not miss the museum: The National Corvette Museum is directly across Interstate 65, making it unusually easy to combine a circuit visit with a major automotive museum.
- On-site camping is available: The motorsports park offers camping options that can be particularly convenient for multi-day events and early starts.
- Expect warm, humid summers: Bring water, sunscreen and rain protection. Thunderstorms can interrupt otherwise hot track days in Kentucky.
Circuit access, karting sessions, track events, cave tours and seasonal attractions can change - check live calendars and booking information before travelling.