Ahead of next month’s 67^th running of the Coca-Cola 600, Charlotte Motor Speedway launched its eighth year of Mission 600 this week with Coca-Cola Racing Family driver Chase Elliott visiting Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, home of the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing’s Marine Aircraft Group (MAG) 31, Marine Fighter Attack Training Squadron (VMFAT) 501 and Marine Fighter Attack Squadron (VMFA) 533.

Paring drivers with regional military bases for a day-in-the-life of men and women in the Armed Forces, Mission 600 serves as a prelude to Charlotte Motor Speedway’s patriotic pre-race salute to the troops prior to the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend. With representation from all six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, the salute embodies the patriotism and service of the nation’s men and women in uniform.

During his visit with MAG-31, Elliott toured the flight line of the famed F-35B, where he was treated to a Level 2 aerial demonstration of the world's first supersonic, stealth fighter capable of Short Takeoff and Vertical Landing (STOVL). Elliott also took part in a hands-on demonstration on loading inert ordnance onto the cutting-edge machines and saw first-hand how crews work together – like a NASCAR pit crew – to maintain and operate the elite machines.

“Having lived the NASCAR world for so many years, it’s so much a team effort and a team sport. The drivers are nothing without their teams, and that’s the truth,” Elliott said. “Coming here today and watching what goes on the flight line right before one of these F-35s get ready to go, I see very much the same type of teamwork that the teams have here – and also a lot of trust. I’m putting a lot of trust in my crew to make sure all the bolts are tight before we go out there and push those cars to the limit, much like the pilots do for their crews before they go and push their airplanes to the limit. A lot of respect for that combination and getting it right. Executing that is a tough thing.”

Following lunch with Marines in the Officers’ Club, Elliott climbed into the cockpit of a state-of-the-art F-18 simulator to try his hand at a series of maneuverability and dogfighting exercises.

“It's always great to show off the cool gray war-fighting machines that we have out there, but what’s more important in instances like this is, I get to take them into the squadrons and see the unsung heroes that we have out here, which are maintainers,” said MAG-31, commanding officer, Col. Michael Cassidy. “We've got an 18 to 21 year old workforce which is kind of the baseline of what we do here, and we trust them every day to get out there and turn the wrenches to keep these war fighting machines in the air.”

Mission 600 continues next week Ross Chastain visits Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a tradition for the defending race winner to kick off national Military Appreciation Month. Additional scheduled visits in 2026 include Austin Dillon visiting the 82^nd Airborne at Fort Bragg (U.S. Army), Daniel Suarez traveling to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Joey Logano spending time with members at the U.S. Coast Guard Stations Elizabeth City. The military tributes will culminate during a rousing pre-race celebration ahead of the Coca-Cola 600.

“The Coke 600 has always been a top-notch experience from my perspective,” Elliott said. “It makes me very proud to be part of the sport on weekends like that. Having the chance to meet so many service men and women from across the country who come in and get to experience that firsthand – to express appreciation that you might not get to on a normal day. I think NASCAR, for all the things that we do, that is one that we’ve always gotten right. Charlotte Motor Speedway has had a big hand in that too, over the years. It’s one of the best experiences throughout the season that I get to be a part of and I’m really proud to say that you’re part of that show.”

TICKETS:

Fans are invited to witness the patriotic pre-race salute to the troops on Sunday, May 24 prior to the Coca-Cola 600. Visit www.CharlotteMotorSpeedway.com for tickets, schedules and more information on the weekend’s three days of action-packed racing. Kids 12 and under get in FREE on Friday and Saturday.