CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- Seven-term Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory has received checks from some of the city’s biggest names in sports in his fundraising for the gubernatorial race, campaign records show.

McCrory raised more than $1 million from donors in the first-quarter of the year, according to online records of the N.C. Board of Elections.

His chief opponent in the GOP primary, developer Fred Smith, a state senator from Johnston County, has raised less than $450,000 in the same period.

Carolina Panthers owner Jerry Richardson wrote a $4,000 check to the McCrory campaign. Head coach John Fox chipped in $2,000, records show.

NASCAR CEO Brian France was also a donor, contributing $4,000, the maximum individual contribution allowed by law.

NASCAR team owners Ray Evernham and Rick Hendrick also wrote $4,000 checks.

A smaller check came from Bobcats majority owner Bob Johnson. He contributed $1,000 to the McCrory campaign.

McCrory’s largest fundraising base appears to be Charlotte’s business community.

Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis contributed $4,000. So did bank executive Cathy Bessant.

McCrory said Wachovia chief Ken Thompson also contributed to the campaign. The check was not listed in the most recent documents on file with the N.C. Board of Elections.