Charlotte Motor Speedway is joining with business leaders from around the country to honor some 10,000 active military and family members before the green flag drops on NASCARs ultimate test of man and machine, the May 26 Coca-Cola 600, as part of a Memorial Day weekend saluting the U.S. Armed Forces. The day of tribute will feature a special celebration luncheon hosted by John Schnatter, founder, chairman and CEO of Papa Johns International, where more than 3,000 pizzas will be served to the military guests. The star-studded affair will be emceed by HLNs Robin Meade, and will include special appearances by Lt. Col. Oliver North (ret), a political commentator, television host, military historian and New York Times best-selling author; Kurt Busch, NASCAR Sprint Cup Series driver of the #78 Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet; Marcus Smith, president and general manager of Charlotte Motor Speedway and Papa John himself. The event will be held at zMAX Dragway from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. and also feature live music and a drag racing exhibition with Smith and Papa John. Hundreds of the troops will then be loaded onto buses courtesy of the speedways Patriot Partners program where companies such as Toyota, Papa Johns, Goodyear, Coca-Cola, Bojangles and more sponsored their transportation from area military bases. More than 30 Patriot Partner buses will then take a parade lap around the legendary 1.5-mile superspeedway as part of a patriotic ‘Welcome Home Our Troops” pre-race show. Fans will be able to salute the troops when 600 soldiers march through the grandstands to participate in the pre-race ceremonies. The show will also include an air parade featuring during the national anthem performed by Robin Meade and a 21-gun salute by the Fort Bragg firing squad. Tickets are still available for all May race events at Charlotte Motor Speedway and can be purchased online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Fans can join in welcoming home our troops during the biggest Memorial Day tailgate party in the country at the Coca-Cola 600, with race weekend packages starting at just $99. Fans can also purchase tickets for just $25 to send an active duty member of the military to the Coca-Cola 600 through the speedways Let The Troops Race program.(CMS)(5-22-2013) News from May 21, 2013
