Inductees to the Hall of Fame are drivers who have shown expert skill at NASCAR driving, all-time great crew chiefs and owners, broadcasters and other major contributors to competition within the sanctioning body.

NASCAR committed to building a Hall of Fame and on March 6, 2006, the City of Charlotte was selected as the location.

Ground was broken for the $160 million facility on January 26, 2007, and it officially opened on May 11, 2010,[1] with the inaugural class inducted the day following the 2010 NASCAR Sprint All-Star Race.

Internationally renowned Pei Cobb Freed & Partners led the design effort, and Leslie E. Robertson Associates were the structural engineers.

Engineering and fabrication of the stainless steel Möbius strip that wraps around the structure was completed by Zahner, of Kansas City.

[5] In 2009, NASCAR Hall of Fame established a partnership with Buffalo Wild Wings to be its exclusive restaurant partner in Charlotte.

[6] Because of stock car racing's roots in and wealth of famous drivers from North Carolina, Charlotte was considered the favorite by many fans and commentators.

The bid was led by NASCAR car owner Rick Hendrick, then Mayor Pat McCrory, and business leaders in Charlotte.

Pei Cobb Freed & Partners were enlisted to design the complex, which is near the Charlotte Convention Center.

The building contains the following: There is a gift shop, the Hall of Fame Café and a Buffalo Wild Wings[8] restaurant on site.

The rule applies to all NASCAR-sanctioned competitions; some drivers in the Hall of Fame did not participate in the Cup Series.