Fans Gear Up Ahead of Coca-Cola 600
The race is attracting some big names, like former President Donald Trump, who said heโll be in attendance on Sunday.
CONCORD, N.C. — Festivities are underway at Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of Sundayโs sold-out Coca-Cola 600.
The big race still several days away, but campers and RVs are filing into the infield by the dozen to get an intimate, top-notch experience at one of NASCARโs most iconic tracks.
โSpending Memorial Day weekend here at the speedway is just tradition for a lot of our guests,” says Matt Mancini, the camping operations manager at the speedway.
“So, weโre really excited to host them.โ
He says over 2600 spots have already been occupied both inside and outside the track, and that number will only rise as we head into race weekend.
โWeโve got concerts starting on Friday,” Mancini says excitedly, “Weโve got cookouts, weโve got sponsors that are coming in with activations, weโve got a lot for everybody throughout the whole week, so Sunday is just the icing on cake.โ
And whatโs a cake without a party?
โWell, youโve got to get the party started,” says Martin Lawrence as he treks across the 1.25-mile-long track.
Lawrence, a Navy veteran from Georgia, says thereโs nothing quite like the infield experience at Charlotte.
โIt hits you right in the chest. Itโs so noisy. You get the smell of the rubber. The fuel, everything going on. Itโs just an amazing feeling… Itโs an adrenaline rush, the entire 400 laps, especially at the Coke 600.โ
And itโs attracting some big names, like former President Donald Trump, who said heโll be in attendance on Sunday.
Bernard โBouncyโ Black – Lexington, NC, Resident
โThis place is sold out,” says Bernard “Bouncy” Black. He took a short trip down I-85 from Lexington this afternoon.
“Look at all the voters in here. Itโs that simple. I would think this is his fanbase right here. A bunch of rednecks and everything.โ
But the sense of camaraderie trumps all political sway.
โWeโre pulling in, weโre going to set up, and then itโs grilling, drinking, partying, meeting new people, making new friends… Itโs a family. Itโs so much fun,” Lawrence beams.