James William Cannon developed Kannapolis, North Carolina, Cabarrus County's second largest city, when he undertook a major expansion of the Cannon Manufacturing Company in 1907. Initially, Kannapolis consisted primarily of houses erected by Cannon Manufacturing and Cabarrus Cotton Mills. This housing remains intact today, and Kannapolis has one of the largest and best-preserved mill villages in the entire South.

In Cannon Village in Kannapolis (Dale Earnhardt’s hometown), race fans can tour landmarks along The Dale Trail and pay respects to the NASCAR legend at the Dale Earnhardt Tribute with its larger-than-life statue, granite memorial and Sam Bass art exhibit.