Category: NASCAR Cup PR

TEAM CHEVY ADVANCE
COCA-COLA 600
CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA
MAY 26, 2019

BOWTIE BULLETS:
LEADING THE WAY:
Chevrolet leads all manufacturers with 24 victories in the 59 Coca-Cola 600s at Charlotte Motor Speedway, including five this decade. GM brands Buick and Pontiac have added four wins. Darrell Waltrip has the most victories of all drivers with five – all in a Chevrolet. Overall, the Coca-Cola 600 will be the 120th Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at the track that is celebrating its 60th anniversary season.

FIRST-TIMERS:
Four Chevrolet drivers have registered their first MENCS victory in the Coca-Cola 600, most recently Austin Dillon in 2017. Others include Casey Mears in 2007, Bobby Labonte in 1995 and Jeff Gordon in 1994. Also, David Pearson won the 1961 race in a Pontiac. Gordon is a three-time winner of the 400-lap race – all in a Chevrolet.

MARINE LIFE:
As part of Mission 600, Chevrolet drivers Kyle Larson and Bubba Wallace visited U.S. military installations in the past week. Larson, who on May 18 became the second driver in MENCS history to win the Monster Energy Open and All-Star Race, traded his firesuit camouflage fatigues at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island, South Carolina. Wallace took the second seat in a Strike Eagle Fighter at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in North Carolina. “You can’t thank them enough for what they do for us as Americans,” Larson said.

HONORING FAMILY:
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will have a military-themed paint scheme on the No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1 in tribute to Army Sgt. Richard Donlan, who died in combat during the Vietnam War. “Having grandparents who served, I have so much respect and am thankful for our military, both past and present, and for those who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our country,” Johnson said.

TUNE-IN:
FOX will telecast the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway live at 6 p.m. ET Sunday, May 26. Live coverage can also be found on PRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.

BY THE NUMBERS:

• Coca-Cola 600 wins by current Team Chevy drivers:
  Jimmie Johnson, No. 48 Ally Camaro ZL1, leads active drivers with four wins, including three in a row (2003-05, and 2014).
  Austin Dillon, No. 3 Coke Zero Sugar Camaro ZL1, won in 2017.
  Kurt Busch, No. 1 Gearwrench Camaro ZL1, won in 2010.
• A Chevrolet driver has sat on the pole 19 times for the Coca-Cola 600.
• Team Chevy drivers have recorded 145 top-five and 257 top-10 finishes in the Coca-Cola 600.
• Chevrolet has won 39 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Manufacturer Championships.
• Team Chevy drivers have scored 781 wins and 705 poles in MENCS competition.

FOR THE FANS:
Fans can visit the Team Chevy Racing Display in the Fan Midway at Charlotte Motor Speedway
Fans can check out great a great assortment of Chevrolet vehicles including: Camaro ZL1, 2500HD High Country, Traverse Redline, Colorado ZR2, 1500 Trailboss, Blazer Premier
At the Chevrolet Display, fans can view the Shock Camaro SS SEMA Concept, No. 9 Mountain Dew/NAPA Camaro ZL1 Showcar
Also on display is LT1 Connect & Cruise Crate Engine, NASCAR R07 Race Engine. Fans can also see a sample of engines, parts and accessories available for purchase from Chevrolet Performance at their local Chevrolet dealer
Other activities at the Team Chevy Racing Display include a variety of interactive games for adults and kids
TEAM CHEVY QUESTION AND ANSWER SESSIONS AT THE DISPLAY:
Sunday, May 26th
2:00 p.m. – Austin Dillon
3:15 p.m. – Bubba Wallace & Richard Petty
2:30 p.m. – Ty Dillon
2:45 p.m. – Alex Bowman
3:00 p.m. – Chase Elliott

Chevrolet Display Hours of operation: Thurs. May 23rd – 3:00 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., Sat. May 25th – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. and Sun. May 26th – 10:00 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.

QUOTABLE QUOTES:
KURT BUSCH, NO. 1 GEARWRENCH CAMARO ZL1 – 8th IN STANDINGS
“I love Memorial Day weekend. Motorsports takes center stage with Monaco, Indianapolis and Charlotte. It just seems like a lot of great attention gets geared-up towards racing this weekend. With it being a very patriotic weekend, it’s a time to say thank you and reflect for all of those that have sacrificed for our country. With it being the 600, I love the tradition of the extra 100 miles and the toll that it puts on the cars, teams and driver. It is genuinely a cool event and one of the marquee races in NASCAR. I’ve been fortunate enough to win it once before want to try and win it again. We’ve got a good GEARWRENCH Chevy that were bringing to the track this weekend. It’s helpful now that we are going to hit some of these tracks a second time with the team and that way we can jump ahead of some of the performance that we have already produced this year.”

ALEX BOWMAN, NO. 88 NATIONWIDE PATRIOTIC CAMARO ZL1 – 12th IN STANDINGS
“This weekend’s Nationwide paint scheme is very special. Having JT on board and being able to honor the American Soldiers and K-9 that lost their lives in 2011 is extremely special and humbling. Everything that Nationwide does with these special patriotic schemes is amazing. Memorial Day weekend is a perfect time to honor these heroes and our whole team is very honored to carry JT’s name on board our Camaro ZL1.
“Thank you to the fans who voted for myself and the No. 88 team to get into the All-Star race last weekend. We definitely struggled in parts of the Open and All-Star race but was happy to get a top-10 out of it. Just can’t thank the fans enough.
“Driving 600-miles on Sunday will be tough in this heat, but I don’t think it is the most physically demanding. I have said it before, but I think Dover is the most physically challenging event that we have. Sunday will be long and hot, but this 88 team can get it done. We have momentum from the past three races on our side and I know the guys back at the shop have been working endless hours on these cars. Hopefully we unload pretty decent on Thursday and can get a good starting spot that night for Sunday’s race.”

JIMMIE JOHNSON, NO. 48 ALLY PATRIOT CAMARO ZL1 – 16th IN STANDINGS
“I would rather win the 600 than the All-Star race. That event means so much to so many, and I have had the honor of winning it four times in my career. I’d like for nothing more than to take Sgt. Donlan to Victory Lane. I’m looking forward to the Indy 500 as well – I haven’t been able to see one of those races since the early 90’s, so the schedule worked out perfectly to take advantage of this opportunity. The 600 is a long race- you have to set up your car with some flexibility to go from day to night. Everyone’s working hard and has one common goal – to get this No. 48 car back to victory lane.”

AUSTIN DILLON, NO. 3 CAMARO ZL1 – 18th IN STANDINGS
BIG WEEKEND FOR YOU GOING TO YOUR HOMETOWN TRACK WITH A SPECIAL PAINT SCHEME
“It is really cool to have a brand like Coca-Cola behind you at the Coke 600. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity. This is special to me. It’s in my backyard. I have a lot of friends and family coming to this race. A couple years back, winning the Coca-Cola 600, there was nothing like it. Being tied with Coca-Cola from the beginning of my Cup Series career and getting to represent Coca-Cola in a full paint out with Coke Zero Sugar, it’s special. We have an awesome looking car for the 600.”

HOW HARD IS IT TO CHASE TRACK CONDITIONS IN THE COCA-COLA 600? IT’S THE LONGEST RACE OF THE SEASON
“It is difficult. It’s a long day and you’ve really got to stay up-to-date with your car and be ahead of the adjustments. Anything can happen in 600 miles, so you are always in the race. That is the good part of it. Stage racing is fun and interesting there also.”

COMPETITION-WISE, HOW DO YOU FEEL ABOUT WHERE YOUR TEAM AND RCR IS?
“It’s nice to show speed each week, but we have to figure out how to race better each week. The positive thing is that we haven’t had speed in the past, so now we have some speed and we have to figure out how to race with that speed. We do that and we can do some great things. The consistency is what frustrates me. I want to be able to run the top-10 each and every weekend. We haven’t been able to find that consistency. At Kansas Speedway we were close. We were running ninth to 12th most of the race, but we were just a step behind. Making smart decisions is key with these new package switches, trying not to be one extreme or the other. We need to have consistent cars so we can find the balance each week.”

TALK ABOUT THE SENSE OF PRIDE YOU HAVE HEADING INTO MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND, ESPECIALLY WITH ALL OF THE PATRIOTIC ACTIVITIES PLANNED AT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY
“For me, meeting different military members from all different branches really instills a sense of pride for our U.S. Military. It means so much to be able to stand and hold your hand over your heart for the flag during the National Anthem at the racetrack. That’s the most impactful moment of the entire weekend for me. The only reason I’m allowed to do what I do on the weekends is because of the country that we live in and the people that have lost their lives defending our freedom. I’m proud to stand with my hand right over my heart in front of the flag every time. It’s important to me and my family and I’ve always felt like that was right. We are running this race with Chad Michael Wilkinson’s name on our windshield header as part of NASCAR’s 600 Miles of Remembrance program. Chad was a Navy SEAL, and his family and some of his SEAL Team will be in attendance at the race. It is always nice to have the opportunity to give back as we are running those 600 miles of remembrance to a family that has given so much to this country.”

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO YOU TO BE ABLE TO RACE AT CHARLOTTE MOTOR SPEEDWAY?
“I’ve been so fortunate to be able to have come here since I was a little kid and watch races right inside turn one from my grandfather’s condo. I’ve seen so many laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway and have seen a lot of guys from RCR run well at the track. I watched Jimmie Johnson dominate for years. It’s been a good track for me and I always enjoy coming to Charlotte Motor Speedway.”

WILLIAM BYRON, NO. 24 LIBERTY PATRIOTIC CAMARO ZL1 – 19th IN STANDINGS
“I’ve only started the 600 once and unfortunately wasn’t able to finish the full 600 miles due to an incident. Even still, I think it’s a true test of your fitness level and mental capacity as a driver, not just for the heat but the endurance it takes. Team-wise there was a stretch for few years that it was easier to make it 600 miles, but now with the performance as critical as it is, I think the cars are pushed more and the engines are pushed more making it harder to go the full distance. I think this race really is a test of everything you have as the sport just gets more and more competitive.”

Chevrolet Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Statistics
Manufacturers Championships
Total (1949 – 2018): 39
First title for Chevrolet: 1958
Highest number of consecutive titles: 13 (2003-2015)

Years Won: 1958, 1959, 1960, 1961, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015

Drivers Championships
Total (1949 – 2018): 31
First Chevrolet champion: Buck Baker (1957)
Highest number of consecutive titles: 7 (2005 – ’11)

Years Won: 1957, 1960, 1961, 1973, 1976, 1977, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2016

Event Victories
Record for total race wins in single season: 26 – (in 2007)

2019 STATISTICS:
Wins: 1
Poles: 6
Laps Led: 833
Top-five finishes: 14
Top-10 finishes: 38
CHEVROLET IN NASCAR CUMULATIVE STATISTICS:
Total Chevrolet race wins: 780 (1949 – to date)
Poles Won to Date: 705
Laps Led to Date: 233,088
Top-Five Finishes to Date: 3,983
Top-10 Finishes to Date: 8,210

Total NASCAR Cup wins by Corporation, 1949 – To-Date

       GM: 1,114
       Chevrolet: 780
       Pontiac: 155
       Oldsmobile: 115
       Buick: 65

       Ford: 781
       Ford: 680
       Mercury: 96
       Lincoln: 4

       Chrysler: 466
       Dodge: 217
       Plymouth: 190
       Chrysler: 59

       Toyota: 129

Team Chevy high-resolution racing photos are available for editorial use.

About Chevrolet
Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is one of the world’s largest car brands, doing business in more than 100 countries and selling more than 4.0 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature engaging performance, design that makes the heart beat, passive and active safety features and easy-to-use technology, all at a value. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at www.chevrolet.com.

Roush Fenway Set for NASCAR’s Longest Race This Weekend

Roush Fenway Racing gets set for NASCAR’s longest race of the season this weekend as the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) battles for 600 miles Sunday evening at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway. RFR has eight Cup wins all-time at Charlotte, including four in the Coca-Cola 600.

Charlotte Motor Speedway

Sunday, May 26 | 6 p.m. ET

FOX, PRN, SiriusXM Channel 90

· Ryan Newman, No. 6 Oscar Mayer Ford Mustang

· Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang

Roush Fenway in the 600

In 100 MENCS starts in the famed Coca-Cola 600, Roush Fenway Racing has visited victory lane four times and recorded 23 top-five and 37 top-10 finishes. Jeff Burton leads the way with two Coke 600 victories for Jack Roush, while Mark Martin and Matt Kenseth have one each.

Golden Sombrero

Roush Fenway won a record four-consecutive Coca-Cola 600’s from 1999-2002 with drivers Jeff Burton, Matt Kenseth and Mark Martin. During that span, Roush Fenway led 427 laps, including 201 of 400 laps in the 1999 event.

2006 Dominance in the Coca-Cola 600

Roush Fenway had its best overall outing in the Coca-Cola 600 in 2006, when its five entries averaged a 5.4 finish. Roush Fenway Fords finished third, fourth, fifth, seventh and eighth, while leading 52 laps in the event. In 2002, Roush Fenway posted a one-two finish in the event with Martin and Kenseth battling feverishly for the win and combining to lead 67 laps in the race (with Martin taking the win).

Tale of the Tape

Roush Fenway has started 208 MENCS races at Charlotte, recording eight total wins with 45 top-five and 78 top-10 finishes. RFR Fords have an average finish of 16.3 with 2627 laps led all-time.

Where They Rank

Coming off a non-points All-Star Race, Ryan Newman heads into Coke 600 weekend 17th in the points standings, while Stenhouse is 21st.

Roush Fenway Charlotte Wins

1992-2 Martin Cup

1995-2 Martin Cup

1998-2 Martin Cup

1999-1 Burton Cup

2000-1 Kenseth Cup

2001-1 Burton Cup

2002-1 Martin Cup

2011-2 Kenseth Cup

1993-2 Martin NXS

1995-2 Martin NXS

1996-1 Martin NXS

1996-2 Martin NXS

1998-1 Martin NXS

1999-1 Martin NXS

2000-1 Burton NXS

2001-2 Biffle NXS

2002-2 Burton NXS

2006-1 Edwards NXS

2011-1 Kenseth NXS

2011-2 Edwards NXS

2011-2 Edwards NXS

2015-1 Buescher NXS

By the Numbers at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Race Win T5 T10 Pole Laps Led AvSt AvFn Miles

208 8 45 78 3 69627 2627 19.3 16.3 104440.5

121 12 33 60 13 22207 2425 10.7 14.2 33310.5

16 0 2 5 0 2089 130 11.8 15.4 3133.5

345 20 80 143 16 93923 5182 15.9 15.5 140884.5

CONCORD, N.C. – Officials from Rick Ware Racing (RWR) announced today the signing of a new marketing partner that will debut with the team in Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600, one of the series’ crown jewel events at Charlotte (N.C.) Motor Speedway.

Enlisted Nine Fight Company will team with Rick Ware Racing’s third car for this weekend’s 60th annual Memorial Day event with veteran driver B.J. McLeod aboard the team’s third Cup Series entry, the No. 53 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

Enlisted Nine Fight Company is an active-duty-owned clothing brand. It was founded in 2013 by two Senior NCO’s and a military spouse.

The trio embarked on the arduous task of developing a lifestyle brand that would not only give veterans, their families and patriotic Americans a way to express their love for our Armed Forces, Country and fighting, but also provide an affordable, high-quality product.

Enlisted Nine Fight Company along with Rick Ware Racing will honor two American heroes this weekend. RWR and Enlisted Nine Fight Company CEO and co-founder Dan O’Brien will also enshrine one of the most amazing paint schemes in recent memory.

O’Brien, a Gold Star family member lost his brother William who was killed in combat while serving in Iraq on March 15, 2008. O’Brien will memorialize his brother on the front and rear window of McLeod’s Chevrolet.

Additionally, the team and O’Brien will recognize LTC Robert Friend (RET), Tuskegee Airmen. Friend, a close acquittance to O’Brien is 99-years old and resides in Southern California.

McLeod’s Camaro will be wrapped as a replica P-51 Mustang (Red Tail) airplane, similar to what Friend flew during his tour in World War II.

“We are very honored to have such a great veteran-owned business represented on our No. 53 Chevrolet this weekend at Charlotte,” offered RWR team principal Rick Ware. “NASCAR and Charlotte Motor Speedway do such a great job promoting this weekend’s race for Memorial Day – but also recognizing our heroes before the Coca-Cola 600.

“We unveiled the No. 53 Chevrolet last weekend during the Monster Open and the design received a huge response through the press and through social media – we’re proud to bring it back for another weekend.

“It has also been great hearing from Dan and his staff about the support and attention they’ve been receiving. Hopefully, we can have a solid 600 miles of night racing on Sunday.”

O’Brien says Enlisted Nine Fight Company has embraced the opportunity to enter NASCAR with RWR and is eager to expand the partnership following this weekend’s race.

“I’m very excited to have this amazing opportunity with RWR and B.J. McLeod this weekend at Charlotte,” he said. “We look forward to not only Sunday but also what the future holds for both companies.”

The 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season continues with the 60th annual Coca-Cola 600 (400 laps | 600 miles) at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, May 26 starting at 6:00 p.m. ET on FOX, the Performance Racing Network (PRN) and SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel 90.

To learn more about Enlisted Nine Fight Company, please visit their website, like them on Facebook, follow along on Instagram (@enlistedninefightcompany) and follow them on Twitter (@NineLineApparel).

For more on B.J. McLeod, please like his Facebook page, and follow him on Twitter (@bjmcleod78).

For more on Rick Ware Racing, please “like” them on Facebook (Facebook.com/rickwareracing) or visit WareRacing.com.

Rick Ware Racing is on Twitter. Follow them @RickWareRacing.

No. 38 Team to Remember Fallen Hero with Patriotic Paint Scheme

MOORESVILLE, N.C. (May 22, 2019) – On Memorial Day weekend, the No. 38 Select Blinds Ford Mustang of David Ragan will recognize Corporal William G. Taylor of the United States Marine Corps, who was killed in the line of duty while serving during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

26-year-old Cpl. Taylor of Macon, Ga. was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, and based at Camp Lejeune, N.C. He was killed on Nov. 30, 2005 by small-arms fire while conducting combat operations against enemy forces in Fallujah, Iraq.

Taylor’s name will be displayed on the windshield of Ragan’s Select Blinds Ford for the “Coca-Cola 600” on May 26, where the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will pay tribute to the fallen men and women of the U.S. Military. Ragan’s car will also feature a red, white and blue patriotic paint scheme as part of the initiative.

“We are honored to have Corporal Taylor’s name represented on our car,” said Rick Steele, Founder & CMO of SelectBlinds.com. “NASCAR provides such a great platform to recognize our military and we are proud to do our part to remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice.”

“It’s always a very humbling experience to learn the background of the fallen soldier we honor for the Coca-Cola 600,” said Ragan. “I’m looking forward to meeting Corporal Taylor’s family and having them with us for the race. I’m thankful for the opportunity to show them how much we appreciate the sacrifices their family has made.”

The No. 38 patriotic paint scheme will take to the track on Thursday, May 23 for practice and qualifying. The “Coca-Cola 600” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race will air Sunday, May 26 at 6:00 p.m. on FOX.

About Select Blinds
Phoenix-based SelectBlinds.com is a leading online retailer of custom window treatments. Established in 2003, the company has more than 2 million customers. SelectBlinds.com is dedicated to offering window blinds and shades with all the safety and efficiency features consumers need at competitive prices. With a focus on safety and style, the company became the first custom window covering provider in North America to offer all of their products with a cordless option on March 31, 2016. The company was recognized by Harvard University/Harvard Business School with the 2015 Humanitarian of the Year Award for working to transform the window covering industry to cordless.

About Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports (FRM) is a winning organization in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. The team was founded in 2004 and is owned by successful entrepreneur, Bob Jenkins. FRM fields three full-time entries – the No. 34 of Michael McDowell, the No. 36 of Matt Tifft and the No. 38 of David Ragan – from its Mooresville, N.C., headquarters just outside of Charlotte. The team’s partnership base includes CITGO Petroleum Corporation, Ford Performance, Love’s Travel Stops, Select Blinds, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Tunity, Surface Sunscreen and Speedco. Visit teamfrm.com and follow FRM on social media: Twitter at @Team_FRM, Instagram at @team_frm and Facebook at Facebook.com/FrontRowMotorsports.

There are many holidays on the calendar, but none quite like Memorial Day.

It’s an important one for the sport of automobile racing, beginning with a Formula One race in Monaco on Sunday morning followed by the Indianapolis 500 and concluding with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

It’s also about cemeteries across the globe, with rows of white crosses, each representing a service member who paid the ultimate price for his or her fellow Americans.

For the past five years, the NASCAR community and Charlotte Motor Speedway have come up with an appropriate mix of the solemn and the spectacular.

As part of the 600 Miles of Remembrance, each car in the field carries on its windshield the name of a fallen service member.

In most cases, race teams host family members or friends of the deceased hero. The track also hosts thousands of active-duty service members and their families, as well as veterans. Goodyear, the official tire supplier for the series, replaces its customary “Eagle” logo with “Honor and Remember” for the 600 weekend.

Paul Menard and the No. 21 Menards/Knauf Insulation Ford Mustang will honor the late U.S. Army Specialist David E. Hickman, 23, of Greensboro, N.C.

He died Nov. 14, 2011, while serving during Operation New Dawn in Baghdad, Iraq.
He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, and died from injuries incurred when his armored truck was hit by a roadside bomb.

He was the 4,474th member of the U.S. military to die in the Iraq war, according to the Pentagon.

Before joining the Army, Hickman was a team captain and all-conference linebacker for Northeast Guilford High School.

The son of a U.S. Air Force veteran, Hickman was into fitness, held a Black Belt in Taekwondo, and hoped to one day join the Special Forces, according to a profile on the Honor and Remember website.

“He always seemed like Superman,” Spec. Morgan Corbett, who met Hickman in basic training and became one of his closest friends, said in an article on Honor and Remember. “Everyone looked up to him.”

Eddie Wood said his race team considers it an honor to carry Hickman’s name on the No. 21 Mustang and to host members of his family on Sunday.

“The sport has done a great thing with the 600 Miles of Remembrance program,” Wood said. “It’s what Memorial Day is all about.

“It’s important to pause and remember the people who made the ultimate sacrifice so the rest of us can enjoy the freedoms we have. I never got to meet David Hickman, but I’m glad we will have the opportunity to thank his family members for his sacrifice for us all.”

Wood has known some of the fallen service members his team has recognized through the 600 Miles of Remembrance program.

Last year, the team honored the late U.S. Army First Lt. Leevi Barnard, who like the Wood family was from Patrick County, Va.

In 2015 they honored the late Marine Cpl. Jonathan Bowling, another hometown soldier who also was a friend of the Wood family and a great nephew of Chris Williams, who was an original race team partner with the late Glen Wood.

“This program means a lot to us,” Wood said. “Our race team is going to do its best to put on a performance that properly honors Specialist Hickman.”

Qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 is scheduled for Thursday at 7:05 p.m, and the race is set to start just after 6 p.m. on Sunday with TV coverage on FOX.

Menards

A family owned company started in 1958, Menards is headquartered in Eau Claire, WI. Menards has more than 300 retail stores located throughout the Midwest in the states of IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI and WY. Menards is known throughout the home improvement industry as the low price leader. It’s famous slogan “Save Big Money at Menards” is widely known and easy to remember. For more information, visit Menards.com, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter, Instagram or Pinterest.

Wood Brothers Racing

Wood Brothers Racing was formed in 1950 in Stuart, Va., by Hall of Famer Glen Wood. Wood Brothers Racing is the oldest active team and one of the winningest teams in NASCAR history. Since its founding, the team won 99 races (including at least one race in every decade for the last seven decades) and 120 poles in NASCAR’s top-tier series. Fielding only Ford products for its entire history, the Wood Brothers own the longest association of any motorsports team with a single manufacturer. Glen’s brother, Leonard, is known for inventing the modern pit stop. The team currently runs the Ford Mustang driven by Paul Menard in the famous No. 21 racer.

Team:                   No. 6 Oscar Mayer Ford Mustang
Crew Chief:         Scott Graves
Twitter:                @Roush6Team, @RoushFenway and @RyanJNewman

Coca-Cola 600 – Sunday, May 26 at 6 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN, SiriusXM Channel 90

ADVANCE NOTES

Newman at Charlotte Motor Speedway

·         Newman will make his 36th Cup start at the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday. In 35 prior starts, Newman has 15 top-10s and five top-fives with an average finish of 18.2

·         Newman has two runner-up finishes at CMS, the first which came in the fall race in 2003, and most recently the Coca-Cola 600 in 2009.

·         Dating back 11 races at Charlotte, Newman has seven top-10s, including three-straight in the previous three Coca-Cola 600 events.

·         Newman has secured nine poles at Charlotte Motor Speedway, his most of any track on the NASCAR circuit. He earned his first in his debut race at CMS back in 2001, and followed that with pole awards in 2003 (sweep), 2004, 2005, 2007 (sweep), 2009 and 2010.

·         Newman has five Xfinity Series starts at CMS with one win (2005) and finished top-10 in each race. He also made one start in the truck series there in 2009 finishing fourth in a Kevin Harvick-owned truck.

Scott Graves at Charlotte Motor Speedway

·         Graves has six MENCS races under his belt at Charlotte Motor Speedway, three with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., and three with Daniel Suarez. His best finish of sixth came with Suarez two years ago in the fall race.

·         He also has six starts in the Xfinity Series atop the pit box, earning four top-10s and one top five. He finished third with Suarez in 2016, and also earned three top-10s with Chris Buescher in 2014 and 2015.

QUOTE WORTHY

Newman on racing in the Coca-Cola 600:

“The Coca-Cola 600 is easily one of the more iconic races of our season. No other sport in the world recognizes and remembers our fallen heroes like NASCAR does, and we’re once again honored to be a part of NASCAR Salutes. Being a member of the Coca-Cola racing family puts an extra emphasis on this race for me personally and I’m honored to continue their tradition in our backyard this weekend. We’re looking forward to hitting the track in our Oscar Mayer Ford Mustang and see what the weekend holds.”

600 Miles of Remembrance
As part of NASCAR’s 600 Miles of Remembrance program centered each season around the Coca-Cola 600, Newman will honor the late Sgt. James Nolen by running his name on the windshield of his No. 6 Oscar Mayer Ford Mustang this weekend.

Sgt. James Nolen, US Army, was born on March 31, 1984 in Alvin, Texas and was killed-in-action on November 22, 2009 while serving in Afghanistan with Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 508 Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne. He proudly served as an airborne infantryman and loved everything about it.

The events of September 11th deeply impacted James, inspiring him to enlist in the Army in 2005. James first deployed in 2007 to Afghanistan, for 15 months, but it was on his second deployment where he made the ultimate sacrifice.  James was killed, along with a fellow soldier when enemy forces detonated an improvised explosive device on their vehicle. Sgt. Nolen was awarded a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for his actions.

On the Car
As part of a season-long rollout celebrating Oscar Mayer’s quality meat offerings, plus combined with the #NASCARSalutes theme for this weekend’s race, Newman’s scheme will feature hot dogs in a patriotic way.

Oscar Mayer hot dogs are the key to my family’s summers. It’s true that when you start with a better hot dog, you can do no wrong.
Oscar Mayer hot dogs can’t be beat in taste and quality. They’ve removed all those ingredients people don’t want without sacrificing the delicious taste.
Oscar Mayer hot dogs are available in a ton of different varieties to satisfy even the picky eaters in your family, including everything from Beef, Pork, Chicken, and more.

About The Kraft Heinz Company
The Kraft Heinz Company (NASDAQ: KHC) is one of the largest food and beverage companies in the world. A globally trusted producer of delicious foods, The Kraft Heinz Company provides high quality, great taste and nutrition for all eating occasions, whether at home, in restaurants or on the go. The Company’s iconic brands include Kraft, Heinz, ABC, Capri Sun, Classico, Jell-O, Kool-Aid, Lunchables, Maxwell House, Ore-Ida, Oscar Mayer, Philadelphia, Planters, Plasmon, Quero, Smart Ones and Velveeta. The Kraft Heinz Company is dedicated to the sustainable health of our people, our planet and our Company. For more information, visit www.kraftheinzcompany.com.

Recapping the All-Star Race
Newman finished 13th in last Saturday’s All-Star Race.

Richard Childress Racing’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series history at Charlotte Motor Speedway … In 165 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Richard Childress Racing teams have earned eight points-paying victories (four wins with Dale Earnhardt, one with Jeff Burton, two with Kevin Harvick and one with Austin Dillon) and four All-Star race victories (three with Earnhardt and one with Harvick), giving RCR 12 total Cup Series checkered flags at the Concord, N.C.-based track. RCR boasts 23 top-five and 52 top-10 finishes at the 1.5-mile track. Childress, a former driver on NASCAR’s senior circuit, contributed two of those top-10 finishes from 1978 to 1979. The Welcome, N.C. organization has led a combined 1,156 laps at the Charlotte facility.

RCR in the MENCS … In 2,945 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series starts dating back to 1969, RCR has amassed 50 pole awards,108 wins, 489 top-five finishes and 1,071 top-10 finishes, with an average starting position of 17.7 and an average finishing position of 16.2. RCR has earned 15 total championships (six Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series championships with Earnhardt in 1986, ’87, ’90, ’91, ’93 and ’94, six NASCAR Xfinity Series titles, two NASCAR Camping World Truck Series titles and one ARCA Menards Series title) and was the first organization to win titles in NASCAR’s three national series.

#RCR50 … Richard Childress Racing celebrates it’s 50th Anniversary in 2019. Follow our social channels season-long to join in the celebration.

Interactive RCR … For up-to-date news and exclusive content, visit RCR’s corporate Twitter page – @RCRracing – along with the RCR Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series team Twitter page – @RCRCup, and driver Twitter pages @austindillon3, @TylerReddick and @DanielHemric. Information about the 15-time championship winning organization can be found on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RichardChildressRacing and at www.RCRracing.com along with official driver pages –  http://www.facebook.com/austindillon3 and www.facebook.com/DanielHemric.

Catch the Action … The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be televised live Sunday, May 26 beginning at 6 p.m. ET on FOX and will be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

This Week’s Coca-Cola Zero Sugar Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Austin Dillon earned his career-first win in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series with a victory in the Coca-Cola 600 in May 2017. A native of North Carolina, Dillon has competed in nine Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series races at his hometown track, earning two top-10 finishes. He is a two-time winner at the track in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Dillon grew up watching races at Charlotte Motor Speedway from his grandfather’s condo, which overlooks the racetrack, and plans to compete in both the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series this weekend.

Coca-Cola Company …The Coca-Cola Company (NYSE: KO) is a total beverage company, offering over 500 brands in more than 200 countries and territories. In addition to the company’s Coca-Cola brands, our portfolio includes some of the world’s most valuable beverage brands, such as AdeS soy-based beverages, Ayataka green tea, Costa coffee, Dasani waters, Del Valle juices and nectars, Fanta, Georgia coffee, Gold Peak teas and coffees, Honest Tea, innocent smoothies and juices, Minute Maid juices, Powerade sports drinks, Simply juices, smartwater, Sprite, vitaminwater and ZICO coconut water. We’re constantly transforming our portfolio, from reducing sugar in our drinks to bringing innovative new products to market. We’re also working to reduce our environmental impact by replenishing water and promoting recycling. With our bottling partners, we employ more than 700,000 people, helping bring economic opportunity to local communities worldwide. Learn more at Coca-Cola Journey at www.coca-colacompany.com.

600 Miles of Remembrance … Dillon and the No. 3 team will participate in 600 Miles of Remembrance on Memorial Day Weekend. Dillon’s name will be replaced on his race car windshield header with the name of a fallen military service member for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The No. 3 team will feature Senior Chief Special Warfare Operator Navy SEAL Chad Michael Wilkinson.

Meet Dillon… Come celebrate the 60th Running of the Coca-Cola 600 when Dillon makes an appearance on the Coca-Cola Stage at Circle K Speed Street presented by Coca-Cola on Saturday, May 25 at 7:15 p.m. Dillon is also scheduled to join his RCR teammate, Daniel Hemric, and grandfather, Richard Childress, at an autograph session at Bass Pro Shops at Concord Mills Mall on Thursday, May 23 at 11 a.m. ET.

Cheering for Dillon … If you’re at Charlotte Motor Speedway, come shop Austin Dillon merchandise available track-side by visiting the RCR merchandise trailer in the fan midway. Dillon is scheduled to sign a limited number of autographs on Sunday, May 26 at 2 p.m. ET.

AUSTIN DILLON QUOTES:
Big weekend for you going to your hometown track with a special paint scheme …
“It is really cool to have a brand like Coca-Cola behind you at the Coca-Cola 600. I’m really looking forward to the opportunity. This is special to me. It’s in my backyard. I have a lot of friends and family coming to this race. A couple years back, winning the Coca-Cola 600, there was nothing like it. Being tied with Coca-Cola from the beginning of my Cup Series career and getting to represent Coca-Cola in a full paint scheme with Coca-Cola Zero Sugar, it’s special. We have an awesome looking car for the 600.”

How hard is it to chase track conditions in the Coca-Cola 600? It’s the longest race of the season …
“It is difficult. It’s a long day and you’ve really got to stay up-to-date with your car and be ahead of the adjustments. Anything can happen in 600 miles, so you are always in the race. That is the good part of it. Stage racing is fun and interesting there also.”

Competition-wise, how do you feel about where your team and RCR is?
“It’s nice to show speed each week, but we have to figure out how to race better each week. The positive thing is that we haven’t had speed in the past, so now we have some speed and we have to figure out how to race with that speed. We do that, and we can do some great things. The consistency is what frustrates me. I want to be able to run the top-10 each and every weekend. We haven’t been able to find that consistency. At Kansas Speedway we were close. We were running ninth to 12th most of the race, but we were just a step behind. Making smart decisions is key with these new package switches, trying not to be one extreme or the other. We need to have consistent cars so we can find the balance each week.”

Talk about the sense of pride you have heading into Memorial Day weekend, especially with all of the patriotic activities planned at Charlotte Motor Speedway …
“For me, meeting different military members from all different branches really instills a sense of pride for our U.S. Military. It means so much to be able to stand and hold your hand over your heart for the flag during the National Anthem at the racetrack. That’s the most impactful moment of the entire weekend for me. The only reason I’m allowed to do what I do on the weekends is because of the country that we live in and the people that have lost their lives defending our freedom. I’m proud to stand with my hand right over my heart in front of the flag every time. It’s important to me and my family, and I’ve always felt like that was right. We are running this race with Chad Michael Wilkinson’s name on our windshield header as part of NASCAR’s 600 Miles of Remembrance program. Chad was a Navy SEAL, and his family and some of his SEAL Team will be in attendance at the race. It is always nice to have the opportunity to give back as we are running those 600 miles of remembrance to a family that has given so much to this country.”

What does it mean to you to be able to race at Charlotte Motor Speedway?
“I’ve been so fortunate to be able to have come here since I was a little kid and watch races right inside turn one from my grandfather’s condo. I’ve seen so many laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway and have seen a lot of guys from RCR run well at the track. I watched Jimmie Johnson dominate for years. It’s been a good track for me, and I always enjoy coming to Charlotte Motor Speedway.”
Daniel Hemric and the No. 8 Cessna Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Hemric will be making his first start in the 60th annual Coca-Cola 600 this Sunday. The Kannapolis, North Carolina, native made a name for himself on Charlotte Motor Speedway’s quarter-mile track racing Legend Cars and Bandoleros, earning multiple race wins and championships, including the 2010 Legends Million race. In three NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the 1.5-mile speedway, Hemric holds an average start of 9.7 with an average finish of 9.0.

600 Miles of Remembrance … Hemric will honor US Navy SEAL Team Six Senior Chief Petty Officer Kyle Milliken of Falmouth, Maine on the windshield of the No. 8 Cessna Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. The 38-year-old special warfare operator was killed in action during a mission in Somalia in 2017. Milliken was the first US service member killed in Somalia since 1993. He earned multiple personal and unit awards including five Bronze Stars with valor for actions in both Iraq and Afghanistan and a Silver Star (posthumously) for heroic actions in combat. He is survived by his wife and two children, who will be in attendance for this weekend’s Coca-Cola 600.

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Meet the Driver … Fans will have multiple opportunities to meet the driver of the No. 8 Cessna Chevrolet this weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. He is scheduled to sign autographs with Richard Childress, Austin Dillon and Martin Truex Jr. at Bass Pro Shops at 8181 Concord Mills Blvd, Concord, North Carolina on Thursday, May 23. Wristbands will be distributed, and the autograph session is scheduled to begin at 11 a.m. Hemric will also be at the RCR merchandise hauler in the fan zone signing autographs on Sunday, May 26, starting at 12:25 p.m.

DANIEL HEMRIC QUOTE:
This will be your first Coca-Cola 600, but do you feel as if that race is still a test of man and machine or are the cars so durable now that it is not as much of a challenge for the drivers and teams as it used to be?
“With this new package, I believe this year’s Coca-Cola 600 will be even more of a challenge than it has ever been. The corner speeds are so fast that you feel like you are white knuckling it all the time. Some of the best in the garage – past champions, current champions, the best in the business – those guys are saying how much their bodies are feeling the load and speeds that we are carrying for a sustained amount of time like we are. Take all of that and now you have to do that for 600 miles around one of the most grueling racetracks under some of the most grueling conditions – it is supposed to be in the mid-90s and the humidity will probably be through the roof – I think it’s going to be a true test for everybody physically. We showed a lot of speed during All-Star weekend, but this is a different package so we will see how we make out with our No. 8 Cessna Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. I am looking forward to my first 600-mile race at Charlotte and hope we put on a strong showing for Cessna, everyone at RCR and all those fans cheering us on from the grandstands.”
Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway … In 95 Series starts at the 1.5-mile configuration of Charlotte Motor Speedway, RCR has captured four victories with drivers Jeff Green (2002), Jeff Burton (2007) and Austin Dillon (2015 sweep). The Welcome, North Carolina organization has completed 18,146 laps of the 19,019 (95.4 percent) that they have competed. RCR has accumulated eight pole awards, 25 top-five and 53 top-10 finishes, led 748 laps and averages a starting position of 11.0 and finishing position of 12.2.

Dover Review … Tyler Reddick was the highest-finishing RCR driver, placing third during the most-recent Xfinity Series race at Dover International Speedway. Kaz Grala placed 14th after a late-race spin derailed his top-10 run.

The Points … Tyler Reddick remains the current Xfinity Series points leader.

Social Media … To keep up with the latest updates from RCR’s Xfinity Series teams, follow @RCRracing and @RCRNXS on Twitter. Updates can also be found via RCR’s Facebook Page and Instagram (@RCRracing).

Catch the Action … Coverage of this week’s Alsco 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be televised live on Saturday, May 25, beginning at 1 p.m. Eastern Time on FS1. It will also be broadcast live on the Performance Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Satellite Radio, channel 90.
Tyler Reddick and the No. 2 Tame the Beast Chevrolet Camaro at Charlotte Motor Speedway … Tyler Reddick has two previous NASCAR Xfinity Series starts at the 1.5-mile oval configuration at Charlotte Motor Speedway, with his best finish of 10th coming in 2017. The current points leader also has two previous NASCAR Truck Series starts and two top-five finishes at the speedway.

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Meet Reddick … Fans can meet Reddick when he stops by the track’s infield Circle K store to sign autographs on behalf of Twisted Tea on Saturday, May 25 beginning at 11:10 a.m. local time.

TYLER REDDICK QUOTE:
The No. 2 team has had some good speed at the intermediate tracks this year. Is there one you can look back at to help you prepare for Charlotte?
“You really can’t compare notes from anywhere. If anything, maybe just a little bit of Las Vegas Motor Speedway with the traction compound they now put down at Charlotte. Last year, it seemed like it never came back up off of it, which made the track very interesting. It’s a new challenge and has  completely changed Charlotte. It can be really tough to get around there lately. You’ve got to be mindful of where and how fast you’re running with those changes, but I’m confident in what myself, Randall and the No. 2 Tame the Beast guys can do this weekend.”

Team:                          No. 17 Fastenal Ford Mustang
Crew Chief:                 Brian Pattie
Twitter:                        @Stenhouse17Team, @StenhouseJr, @FastenalRacing and @RoushFenway

ADVANCE NOTES

Stenhouse Jr. at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Stenhouse Jr. has 13 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series (MENCS) starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway with an average starting position of 19.6 and average finishing position of 18.9.

The two-time Xfinity series champion made his first MENCS start at Charlotte in 2011 in the famed No. 21, finishing an impressive 11th.

Last year’s Coca-Cola 600

Unfortunately, during the final stage break, the team was penalized for an uncontrolled tire lining Stenhouse up once again at the tail-end of the field. After restarting in the 24th position, Stenhouse patiently maneuvered his Ford through the field gaining 14 positions to take the checkered flag in the 10th position; a career best at the 1.5 mile track.

“600 Miles of Remembrance”

Stenhouse and the No. 17 Fastenal Ford will participate in “600 Miles of Remembrance” on Memorial Day Weekend, to honor military service members and their families.

Captain John Graziano will replace ‘Stenhouse Jr’ on the windshield of the No. 17 Ford.

Graziano died at the age of 28 during an aircraft accident at Laughlin AFB, Texas.  John was a T-38C Talon instructor with over 1300 hours in the cockpit, who had a passion for flight and a dream to be an Air Force fighter pilot since the age of two.

Driver’s Only NASCAR Xfinity Series FOX Broadcast

Stenhouse will once again participate in the driver’s only broadcast this Saturday for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Stenhouse will be in the studio alongside Chad Knaus and Brad Keselowski.

On the Car

Fastenal will run a special red, white, and blue paint scheme to honor military service members and their families on this Memorial Day weekend.

Fastenal is currently in its eighth season as a primary partner in the MENCS for Roush Fenway. They spent three years on the No. 99 before jumping over to the No. 17 entry, and were the primary partner on the No. 60 Xfinity team that captured the owner’s championship in 2011.

Stenhouse Jr. on racing in the Coca-Cola 600:

“The Coca-Cola 600 will always be a special race for me since it was my first Cup start. It’s a big racing weekend between the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600. Our intermediate program has been improving this year. We had a strong run at Kansas so we are looking for that to roll over for this weekend. Handling can be tough since we start during the day and end at night, but it’s a long race so we will keep adjusting on our Fastenal Ford and hopefully can have a strong weekend at our home track.”

Denny Hamlin
#11 FedEx Ground Toyota
Joe Gibbs Racing

Race Info:
Race: Coca-Cola 600
Date/Time: May 26/6:00 p.m. ET
Distance: 400 laps/600 miles
Track Length: 1.5 miles
Track Shape: Quad-oval
Banking: Turns: 17-20°; Straights: 5-11°
2018 Winner: Kyle Busch

Express Notes:

Press Kit: Download the 2019 FedEx Racing press materials at www.fedexracing.com/presskit, including bios for Denny Hamlin, Chris Gabehart and Joe Gibbs Racing leadership, program highlights and statistics.

Charlotte All-Star Recap: Pushing and shoving caused a lot of damage in Saturday night’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race, and Denny Hamlin was among the victims. The driver of the #11 FedEx Express Toyota was credited with an 18th-place finish after having to take his damaged car to the garage with nine laps to go in the race. Hamlin started 12th in the non-points event at Charlotte Motor Speedway and fought a tight-handling car, as well as difficulty passing in traffic, for the first half of the race. He had moved into the top 10 to start the fourth and final stage but spun and wrecked after a shove from behind from Ryan Blaney. The team made repairs and sent Hamlin back on track, but he took the car to the garage several laps later when the damage was too much to overcome.

Charlotte Coca-Cola 600 Preview: The Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be returning to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Memorial Day weekend to run the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 26. With nine top-five finishes at Charlotte, Hamlin and the #11 FedEx team will be seeking their first victory at Charlotte and third win of the 2019 Cup Series.

Hamlin All-Star Statistics:

Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway

Races: 26

Wins: 0

Poles: 2 (2013, 2017)

Top-5: 9

Top-10: 17

Laps Led: 356

Avg. Start: 10.5

Avg. Finish 12.1

Hamlin Conversation:

What changes will your team make to be successful this weekend?

“Last weekend just wasn’t our night. We have plenty of room for improvement for the Coke 600 and are hoping to secure better track position so we won’t have such a difficult battle working our way toward the front. We learn from each race and we will be ready to come back here next weekend to go 600 miles.”

What are your thoughts on your team’s performance so far this season?

“I’m proud of our team and the character we’ve shown so far this season. We started off hot with two wins, and our focus is to get back to that momentum and achieve our next victory and move up in the standings.”

FedEx Ground Southwest District Along for the Ride at Charlotte Motor Speedway: For the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, FedEx Ground will recognize the FedEx Ground Southwest district by featuring the letters “SWST” on the FedEx #11 B-Post. The Southwest district is being recognized for excelling in metrics that reflect strong pickup and delivery performance.

Industry to Honor Fallen Service Members At 60th Annual Coca-Cola 600

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (May 21, 2019) – Beginning Memorial Day weekend and running through Independence Day weekend, the NASCAR industry will honor United States Armed Forces heroes and their families as part of NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola – an industry-wide expression of respect, appreciation and reverence for those who have served the nation both past and present.

For the fifth straight year, NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola kicks off with the return of 600 Miles of Remembrance during Sunday’s 60^th annual Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway (6 p.m. ET on FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) – the nation’s largest Memorial Day weekend celebration.

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™ race cars will bear the name of a fallen service member on the windshield during the race in honor of those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

“NASCAR has always taken immense pride in honoring the military men and women who’ve bravely served our nation,” said Steve Phelps, NASCAR president. “Each year, NASCAR Salutes unites our industry to celebrate these heroes and their families and recognize them for the sacrifices made to preserve our freedoms.”

Coca-Cola, the “Official Fan Refreshment of NASCAR^®,” returns as the presenting sponsor of NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola to honor the U.S. Armed Forces each week with efforts focused on Remembrance, Family, Future and Patriotism. For example, at the Coca-Cola 600, NASCAR and Coca-Cola, alongside Chef Robert Irvine, will host a race-day brunch for Gold Star Families in remembrance of those who served our country.

Along with the USO, Coca-Cola will honor military spouses and their families across the different military branches at Pocono Raceway and Michigan International Speedway. Then at Sonoma Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway, an at-track experience with Troops to the Track Hosted by Coca-Cola will showcase how the industry and its partners support military members in transition to civilian life.

“Our partnership with NASCAR is incredibly important to our system,” said John Mount, Vice President, Marketing Assets & Activation, Coca-Cola North America. “The NASCAR Salutes program and Coca-Cola 600 is a special way to spend Memorial Day as we honor our heroes, and remember our fallen military members.”

On Sunday, Charlotte Motor Speedway will host more than 5,000 active military members, veterans and their families at the Coca-Cola 600 to commemorate Memorial Day weekend. A pre-race Salute to the Troops will incorporate all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces in connection with the U.S. Department of Defense’s #KnowYourMil initiative.

A number of fallen service members who will be honored during 600 Miles of Remembrance have special connections to NASCAR race teams, including Army National Guard Sergeant First Class David Moore and Army Specialist William Jefferies. Both men served in the U.S. Armed Forces with Brian Burns, lead engineer for the No. 37 JTG-Daugherty Racing Chevrolet driven by Chris Buescher. Buescher and his teammate Ryan Preece will carry the names of SFC Moore and SPC Jefferies on their car windshields during the Coca-Cola 600.

Family members of many fallen service members will attend the Coca-Cola 600 and be honored during 600 Miles of Remembrance as well. Fans can learn more about the fallen heroes honored during 600 Miles of Remembrance by viewing a special gallery available on NASCAR.com/Salutes. 

Among the other NASCAR Salutes events and activities are the following:

• Throughout the platform, fans can follow the NASCAR Salutes conversation on social media using #NASCARSalutes.

·         This weekend, NASCAR together with Honor and Remember, Inc., will display specially prepared Honor and Remember flags representing those who have died in service to our country from each of the 50 United States throughout the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series garage at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

·         Mack Trucks, the “Official Hauler of NASCAR^®,” will adorn NASCAR Salutes colors on its flagship NASCAR hauler and lead all hauler parades during the six-week program. This year’s Mack Anthem scheme was chosen by fans through a social media vote and will be unveiled leading up to the Coca-Cola 600.

• During Saturday’s Alsco 300, NASCAR Xfinity Series™ drivers will display red, white and blue Xfinity windshield decals on their race cars.

• For the 10^th year in a row, Goodyear will transform its NASCAR race tires by replacing its iconic “Eagle” sidewall design with “Honor and Remember,” in recognition of the organization that worked closely with the industry for 600 Miles of Remembrance to honor military lives lost while serving.

• Sunoco is also working with Honor and Remember on a double flagging moment where a stationary Honor and Remember flag will wave next to the checkered flag at the Coca-Cola 600 and Alsco 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

• Toyota will honor fallen service members on its Toyota pace and grand marshal vehicles during the Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Toyota will also host military members at its Toyota Owners Hub during the Coca-Cola 600. Through its partnership with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and Hire our Heroes, Toyota will include “Hire our Heroes” within Toyota PitPass for military veterans and spouses, which assists with resume writing, social media training and connects with employers looking to hire veterans.

·         Mars, the “Official Chocolate of NASCAR^®,” is highlighting its red, white and blue limited edition M&Ms with a paint scheme for Coca-Cola 600 reigning winner Kyle Busch. The paint scheme was unveiled at the NASCAR Hall of Fame in front of the parents of fallen Army Sergeant Dale Griffin, who will be honored by Busch during 600 Miles of Remembrance.

·         During the broadcast of the Coca-Cola 600, FOX will display the name of every U.S. Armed Forces member who lost his or her life since last year’s Memorial Day weekend race as part of a special tribute titled “FOX Sports Remembers,” an initiative begun in 2009. FOX’s scroll will begin running during its pre-race show at 5:30 p.m. ET.

·         This Sunday, NASCAR drivers will discuss 600 Miles of Remembrance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (channel 90) during a special military tribute show airing at 1 p.m. ET. TheDialed In Salute to the Troops special, hosted by Claire B. Lang, will feature interviews with several drivers as well as service members from different branches of the military.

·         At Pocono Raceway, NASCAR Salutes is joining forces with the USO Military Spouse Network to create a VIP race day experience for USO spouses representing all branches of the military.

·         With Coca-Cola at Michigan International Speedway, fans will receive the opportunity to thank military spouses for their support, which will be featured at USO locations across the country.

·         At Sonoma Raceway and Chicagoland Speedway, in celebration of 10 years of NASCAR Troops to the Track Hosted by Coca-Cola, active and veteran military members will shadow industry members to learn how the sport, its partners and Coca-Cola support military members in transition to civilian life.

·         During the Coca-Cola Firecracker 250 at Daytona International Speedway, Comcast will work with NASCAR and teams to replace its Xfinity branding with active military units and installations on all NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers’ windshield headers to commemorate Independence Day weekend.

·         During the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, in celebration of the NASCAR Salutes finale, Publix in partnership with Coca-Cola, will bring its “Race Day Salute” to the track midway for fans and military alike.

·         AMR, the “Official Emergency Medical Services Partner of NASCAR^®,” will include NASCAR Salutes Refreshed by Coca-Cola branding on its AMR Safety Trucks and honor a group of first responders with VIP race day experiences during the platform window.

·         Sugarlands Shine, the “Official Moonshine of NASCAR^®,” is accepting nominations for deserving armed forces, first responders and veterans throughout the NASCAR Saluteswindow for a VIP trip to this fall’s Sugarlands Shine 250 at Talladega Superspeedway. Submit a nomination today at www.moonshare.org.

Tickets to NASCAR national series events are available at NASCAR.com/tickets.

About NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, Inc. (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for the No. 1 form of motorsports in the United States. NASCAR consists of three national series (Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™, NASCAR Xfinity Series™, and NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series™), three regional series, one local grassroots series, three international series and the Automobile Racing Club of America (ARCA). The International Motor Sports Association™ (IMSA®) governs the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship™, the premier U.S. sports car series. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in eight cities across North America, NASCAR sanctions more than 1,200 races in more than 30 U.S. states, Canada, Mexico and Europe. For more information visit www.NASCAR.com and www.IMSA.com, and follow NASCAR on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Snapchat (‘NASCAR’).