When in Charlotte this May, go where the drivers go

Want to party like a rock star, err at least a NASCAR driver while in Charlotte for the May races? Well, y'all need to leave the campsites at Lowe's Motor Speedway and check out the NASCarolina night life.

From my post in Indiana, I will serve as your social coordinator and lead you to a few hot spots where one might find Michael Waltrip sipping Chardonnay at a popular NASCAR eatery or perhaps catch Denny Hamlin docking his boat at a well-known watering hole for drivers.

And don't forget your spurs for some mechanical bull riding, in true Urban Cowboy fashion, because you might see Dale Earnhardt Jr. at his new nightclub, Whiskey River, in Uptown Charlotte.

So, NASCAR fans, forgo your Airstreams for some staying-out-all-night kind of fun.

We begin our voyage with Red Rocks in Huntersville, N.C., about 20 minutes west of Lowe's. The ideal night to pop in here is Tuesday or Wednesday to catch some big name NASCAR stars.

The menu is especially entertaining as Red Rocks serves up specialties such as Jimmie Johnson's Blue Cheese Filet Medallions, Kasey Kahne's Lobster Tail and Michael Waltrip's Filet and Crab Cake.

Red Rocks co-owner John Love said the restaurant is a second home for drivers Hamlin and Kyle Busch.

"They love coming in because it's a nice quality, upscale menu but they don't have to dress up," Love said.

Located in the quaint village of Birkdale situated in the heart of NASCAR country, Red Rocks has more or less become a driver's kitchen, he added. Management maintains close ties with the drivers and facilitates sponsor meetings for Cup stars frequently.

"Yeah, the sponsor can buy a fine bottle of wine, but the drivers don't have to get dressed up, it's a perfect venue for entertaining sponsors," Love said.

Moving on ...

Now that your bellies are full of good eats, consider driving one exit north of Huntersville on I-77 to the Rusty Rudder; it's the area's premier redneck yacht club.

The name may leave you scratching your head but it's located on beautiful Lake Norman in Cornelius N.C., and attracts a melting pot-style crowd good for people watching and laid-back beer drinking.

More important, it's the waterway between you and the waterfront homes of several NASCAR drivers and team owners.

Bull-ly up to the bar

Dale Earnhardt Jr. has a new place in town where folks can have a few drinks, dance the night away and if they're bold enough, strap on to a mechanical menace.

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You're more likely to experience a driver sighting on Tuesday or Wednesday night, but keep in mind, the live entertainment is held on the weekends.

Got Wasabi ...

If your palate is a little more refined, I suggest checking out two sushi spots.

Every time I've frequented Sushi on the Lake in Cornelius, N.C., I've seen at least one NASCAR mover and shaker toiling with a pair of chopsticks, especially Chad Knaus, crew chief of the No. 48 Chevrolet. Sushi on the Lake is like a second home for he and fiancée, Bruna Oliveira.

But if you're up for a road trip and a more entertaining crowd, check in on Joel's Grill in Mooresville, N.C., said to be a NASCAR driver's best kept secret.

Owner Joel Jose said the neighborhood feel of his gourmet sushi eatery and home delivery keeps drivers such as Jeff Burton, Earnhardt and Kahne coming back for more week after week.

"We started in Davidson, N.C., in 2001 and Tony Stewart came all the time but we needed a bigger place," Jose said. "Now we even deliver to the drivers' homes. I used to deliver to Jeff Burton but he moved to Huntersville. I still deliver to Kelley Earnhardt [Elledge]."

Kelley's baby brother loves Joel's hibachi filet, Jose said, and orders it often.

Jose said he didn't set out to become a NASCAR hangout nor does he have a single piece of stock-car memorabilia hanging on his walls.

"I don't know how it became a place for the drivers, it just started and a lot of people tell me, 'Hey that's so and so,' and I sometimes don't know who they are talking about, but I know Kasey Kahne, he comes often and Michael Waltrip's daughter used to work here, really nice girl."

The independently owned Asian establishment, Jose said, allows the drivers to feel comfortable and not in the limelight for a change.

"People don't really bother them, they sign a few autographs but it's no big deal anymore," he said.

At lunch time, he said the crowd resembles a NASCAR garage; dozens of crew members will dine in and create a colorful scene with all their multi-hued uniforms, Jose said.

"We are like family here," he said.

Drum roll please ...

I've saved the best for last: Whisky River!

I'll turn the tour over the NASCAR.COM's resident party animal, Joe Menzer; don't let the white hair fool ya!

He recently took a behind-the-scenes tour of NASCAR's most-talked about night club owned by the sport's most popular driver. Named after the driver's Western-style saloon Junior built on his property just outside of Charlotte, the venue promises the best eight seconds of your life atop the club's signature mechanical bull.

Now, if you've had one too many sake bombs at Joel's, please take a cab or hit Jamie McMurray up for a sober ride; the Crown Royal driver promotes the cause often.

Happy hunting and drive safely back to your campsite. The fuzz is heavy on Speedway Boulevard.

The opinions expressed are solely of the writer.