Fans Gear Up Ahead of Coca-Cola 600

The race is attracting some big names, like former President Donald Trump, who said he’ll be in attendance on Sunday.
James Scott,

CONCORD, N.C. — Festivities are underway at Charlotte Motor Speedway ahead of Sunday’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 NASCAR’s most iconic tracks.

β€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, we’re really excited to host them.”

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.

β€œWe’ve got concerts starting on Friday,” Mancini says excitedly, “We’ve got cookouts, we’ve got sponsors that are coming in with activations, we’ve got a lot for everybody throughout the whole week, so Sunday is just the icing on cake.”

And what’s a cake without a party?

β€œWell, you’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 there’s nothing quite like the infield experience at Charlotte.

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

And it’s attracting some big names, like former President Donald Trump, who said he’ll be in attendance on Sunday.

Bernard β€œBouncy” Black – Lexington, NC, Resident

β€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. It’s that simple. I would think this is his fanbase right here. A bunch of rednecks and everything.”

But the sense of camaraderie trumps all political sway.

β€œWe’re pulling in, we’re going to set up, and then it’s grilling, drinking, partying, meeting new people, making new friends… It’s a family. It’s so much fun,” Lawrence beams.