Charlotte, N.C.

  
Founded in 1980 by two-time NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion Buck Baker, this school’s prestigious alum include NASCAR superstars Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart. Data acquisition technology is equipped in every authentic NASCAR Cup Ford, Chevy and Dodge race cars so students can track their performance. Classroom time is limited to learning the fundamentals, and lap time is comprised of solo laps and laps with an instructor, plus plenty of “practice sessions” with four to six students on the track (in other words, you get to race). The $1,860, two-day basic package includes up to 110 solo laps; the $2400, three-day basic includes 135. Courses are held at one of five major tracks, including Atlanta Motor Speedway and Lowe’s Motor Speedway in North Carolina. One major caveat: You have to know how to operate a stick shift before signing up.