NASCAR race week used to see Michael Waltrip behind the wheel. Now he’s behind a new bar

A retired NASCAR driver is bringing his craft beers to Concord and opening a taproom ahead of race week at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Michael Waltrip’s Taproom’s grand opening is May 16 at 7731 Gateway Lane NW, less than 2 miles from the track. Coincidentally, that’s the track where Waltrip made his Cup debut at the 1985 Coca-Cola World 600. This year’s race is May 28.

The family-friendly taproom and restaurant quietly debuted last month in the former Hotshots Sports Bar & Grill, off Interstate 85 on the road that leads to the speedway.

The two-time Daytona 500 winner and Fox news analyst opened Michael Waltrip Brewing Co. in Bristol, Virginia, two years ago. The brewery is about 11 miles from Bristol Motor Speedway.

What to expect at the Concord taproom

Of 24 taps, nine are dedicated to Waltrip’s brewery, said Ken McAllister, co-chairman of Elevatus Brands that operates the restaurant and grows the brand.

Among the core beers are Two-Time Blonde Ale, Bristol Sunshine Tangerine Ale and Two-Time Vamanos Mexican Lager. Others include Wheelman Brown Ale, Talladega Light and Checkered Past Pale Ale.

The taproom’s sports theme is reflected in its menu, McAllister said. “NASCAR is the engine of the property but it’s a sports venue,” he said.

Appetizers include “end zone,” pork belly burnt ends, and “the bench,” pretzels with Michael Waltrip dips.

There are wings, and sandwiches like “Slam Dunk,” a portobello with caramelized onions, bleu cheese and garlic aoili, and salads like the “T Cobb” and “Olympic Caesar.”

The burgers, made with Wagyu beef, include “Field of Dreams,” build your own, and “Bobby Ray,” with pimento cheese, bacon jam and jalapenos. The name plays off the movie “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” McAllister said, with Bobby Ray being his cousin.

Also on the menu are flights of french fries or tater tots with four seasonings — truffle, cajun, cheesy with bacon and Michael Waltrip’s secret dusting.

“We didn’t want to be a standard pub or bar,” McAllister said.

The “Draft Pick” beer menu also includes domestic and foreign beers, as well local and regional crafts such as Legion Brewing in Charlotte and Wicked Weed in Asheville.

There also are “Champions Cocktails,” including race-theme names like the Caution Flag and Victory Lap, plus wine.

The 8,000-square-foot space includes a large bar and pool tables, plus 2,000 square feet of covered patio seating, where there will be live music.

The taproom will hire about 40 full- and part-time employees, McAllister said.

Hours are 4 p.m. to 1 a.m. Sunday-Thursday and 4 p.m.-2 a.m. Friday and Saturday. Hours will be extended during fall football season to include lunch on weekends.

“It’s really about being comfortable and relaxing watching sports,” he said.

On fast-track to growth

Michael Waltrip Brewing Co. has plans to open more taprooms fast.

Two to four Michael Waltrip Taprooms will open in the Charlotte region, with one or two by the end of the year, McAllister said.

They’re looking for 4,000- to 8,000-square-foot spaces to convert to taprooms to speed up openings. McAllister said the market availability will determine where a taproom will open.

The goal over the next five years is to open 100 taprooms nationwide, McAllister said.

Music event on tap

On May 25, Michael Waltrip Brewing Craft Beer & Country Music & Festival will be held at Atrium Health Ballpark, home of the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers.

Performances are scheduled by Nashville country artist Jerrod Niemann, whose hits include “Drink to that All Night,” and the duo Love and Theft, according to the baseball team’s website. The concert starts at 7 p.m.

The festival raises money for veteran-focused non-profit CreatiVets, which uses art and music to heal service-related trauma. The Cannon Ballers, Jerrod Niemann, Love and Theft and Michael Waltrip will autograph items to help the cause.

The event is for ages 21 and older only.

Tickets cost $30 in advance and include four beer-tasting pours. A limited number of VIP packages are available for $125 each, and include early admission, access to the Kinetic Club and first base dugout plus a private meet and greet with Waltrip.

Behind the beer

Waltrip, 60, started racing at age 12 with go-karts.

In 1985, he finished 28th in his first Cup race in Charlotte, where his older brother and three-time NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip took first.

Michael won the Daytona 500 in 2001 and 2003. He last raced in the 2017 Daytona 500.

Waltrip has appeared on ABC’s “Dancing with the Stars,” ran the Boston Marathon, has appeared on WWE Raw and wrote a New York Times best-selling book about his life, “In the Blink of an Eye,” which also was turned into a movie in 2019.

Waltrip started brewing beer five years ago with friends in Phoenix. The brewery was expected to open there in 2020, then the pandemic hit, he previously told The Charlotte Observer.

In 2021, Micheal Waltrip Brewing Co. opened in Bristol, and the beer is available in five states including North Carolina.