General Motors to open racing tech center near NASCAR hub

Charlotte Motor Speedway draws top technical talent the automaker wants to recruit

Detroit automaker General Motors will open a technical center "focused on performance and racing" this year near Charlotte, N.C., a NASCAR hub, the company said on Thursday.

"We're thrilled to expand GM's U.S. footprint by establishing a greater presence in Charlotte, a community that has become a racing and engineering mecca," Jim Campbell, Chevrolet U.S. vice president of Performance and Motorsports, said in a statement. "The new facility will be close to a number of key Chevrolet and Cadillac racing partners, teams and suppliers. This will allow for improved collaboration as well as access to some of the industry's best talent."

William Byron (24) and Jimmie Johnson (48) lead the field of cars through Turn 4 to start a NASCAR Cup Series auto race at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C., Sunday, Sept. 29, 2019. (AP Photo/Gerry Broome)

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The 75,000-square-foot facility will be built in Concord, N.C., less than 10 miles from the Charlotte Motor Speedway. GM could recruit potential employees "from the growing pool of technical talent in the Charlotte area," the auto manufacturer said.

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The Concord facility will help GM enhance support for Chevrolet NASCAR teams, including vehicle simulation.

GM's announcement comes after the company took a $2.9 billion hit following the United Auto Workers strike in the fall.

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