Fans Gear Up Ahead of Coca-Cola 600

The race is attracting some big names, like former President Donald Trump, who said heโ€™ll be in attendance on Sunday.

CONCORD, N.C. — Festivities are underway at Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of Sundayโ€™s 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 NASCARโ€™s most iconic tracks.

โ€œSpending 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, weโ€™re 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.

โ€œWeโ€™ve got concerts starting on Friday,” Mancini says excitedly, “Weโ€™ve got cookouts, weโ€™ve got sponsors that are coming in with activations, weโ€™ve got a lot for everybody throughout the whole week, so Sunday is just the icing on cake.โ€

And whatโ€™s a cake without a party?

โ€œWell, youโ€™ve 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 thereโ€™s nothing quite like the infield experience at Charlotte.

โ€œIt hits you right in the chest. Itโ€™s so noisy. You get the smell of the rubber. The fuel, everything going on. Itโ€™s just an amazing feeling… Itโ€™s an adrenaline rush, the entire 400 laps, especially at the Coke 600.โ€

And itโ€™s attracting some big names, like former President Donald Trump, who said heโ€™ll be in attendance on Sunday.

Bernard โ€œBouncyโ€ Black – Lexington, NC, Resident

โ€œThis 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. Itโ€™s 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.

โ€œWeโ€™re pulling in, weโ€™re going to set up, and then itโ€™s grilling, drinking, partying, meeting new people, making new friends… Itโ€™s a family. Itโ€™s so much fun,” Lawrence beams.