May is here, and all eyes are on one of the most meaningful weekends in motorsports, the Coca-Cola 600. Sunday, May 25, the iconic race returns to Charlotte Motor Speedway for a Memorial Day weekend tradition blending speed, patriotism and a tribute like no other.
For many drivers, it’s more than just a race. Here’s what some of NASCAR’s biggest stars had to say about what makes racing on Memorial Day Weekend so special:
Austin Dillon, No. 3, Richard Childress Racing
“Well, to me, it's probably one of the most special weekends of the year. The patriotism that we show at the Coke 600, there's no bigger weekend in our sport, getting to honor all of our military men and women out there who pay the ultimate sacrifice, and it's a fun racing weekend in all.”
Kyle Busch, No. 8, Richard Childress Racing
“It's always cool to enjoy the Memorial Day Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway with the Coke 600. I mean, it's just iconic for what it is and being able to have many of the members of the military there and having them be a part of the pre-race program and honoring them halfway and all that, it's a really special week and great race to kind of cap off the Memorial Day Weekend with.”
Chase Elliott, No. 9, Hendrick Motorsports
“It's honoring our troops and our service members, which I think NASCAR's done a great job of over the years. It's really become a great tradition of that race and that whole race weekend. I've always felt like NASCAR and Charlotte (Motor Speedway) and everyone there has done a great job of honoring them and I hope we continue to do that.”
Ty Dillon, No. 10, Kaulig Racing
“My favorite thing about the Coca-Cola 600 is the Honor and Remember Program and remembering all the soldiers who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. That whole weekend is so special. We always carry fallen soldiers' names on our cars and get to interact with their families and that race is so much bigger than just about us, also the pageantry. The longest race of our year, it’s one of the special ones. Also, it's in my backyard where I grew up here in North Carolina.”
AJ Allmendinger, No. 16, Kaulig Racing
“I think it’s unique because it's obviously the longest race we have in our sport, it’s one of the Crown Jewels, but it goes back to what it represents and with Memorial Day Weekend and everything that it represents and everything. To me, it’s the one event that is bigger than the race and the 600 (miles) is secondary to that.”
Chris Buescher, No. 17, RFK Racing
“Memorial Day Weekend is always just a little extra special. We always get to do some really neat things with some different families, but to come out to the racetrack and show them our sport firsthand is always a little bit surreal. The pre-race activities are always very much over the top and just extra special. It makes for a very humbling race weekend.”
Chase Briscoe, No. 19, Joe Gibbs Racing
“Every weekend I always look up in the stands and I kind of have this pinch-me moment, but there are certain races throughout the year that have a little bit more extra significance and the Coke 600 is certainly one of those races that every single year I'm just like, ‘I cannot believe I'm racing in the Coke 600.’ As a kid, we would always watch the Indy 500 and watch the Coke 600. So, for me now to know that I'm part of this iconic race on this huge day of motorsports, but then also on Memorial Day Weekend, is the significance of that. It’s really really special. It’s a race that every driver dreams of winning and even just competing in it is always a super special privilege. I’m honored to get to do it every single year.
Christopher Bell, No. 20, Joe Gibbs Racing
“Memorial Day Weekend is always special because you're racing for so much more than just racing, and it's to honor and remember all the people who have given and who are currently giving to our great country.”
Joey Logano, No. 22, Team Penske
“The Mission 600 appearances are my favorite appearances of the year. Where you get to go to a military base and see, boots on the ground, what these men and women are doing for our country, for our freedom. People who are making the ultimate sacrifice. Not only them but their families too, for complete strangers, like you and I, that is the most incredible thing. So, for us to say thank you is really neat to build a relationship. From those days that I've got to spent there are awesome. Last year we went to fly in an F-16 was really cool. I became friends with the whole squadron and our tagline this year is ‘Double Down’, that's their squadron name and that's what our tagline is going to be this year. So, we got kind of a thing going together and it's really neat because they all came from Mission 600.”
John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42, Legacy Motor Club
“It means a lot to me to race on Memorial Day Weekend. Being a kid growing up at the Coke 600 with my dad, being able to see the pre-race festivities that are put on and ultimately honoring those who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty, to give us freedom in this country is a huge honor of ours. Being able to compete and do what we love every Sunday wouldn't have been possible without them. So being able to race in the Coca-Cola 600, Memorial Day Weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway, is truly special.”
Erik Jones, No. 43, Legacy Motor Club
“For me, it's always pretty special. I've had family that served, in the past, and so it brings a pretty special day of remembrance for a pretty special weekend and just to see what the track and what NASCAR does to honor those past and present members and especially with getting the names on the car, it's always been a really neat weekend.
TICKETS:
Fans can purchase Coca-Cola 600 weekend tickets, online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or call 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Kids 12 and under get in all weekend for just $10.
MORE INFO:
Fans can connect with Charlotte Motor Speedway and get the latest news by following on X and Instagram, or becoming a Facebook fan. Keep up with all the latest news and information with the Charlotte Motor Speedway mobile app.
