Race fans in the Charlotte area are getting a double dose of racing action as Lowe's Motor Speedway hosts its second of two consecutive race weekends with this Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. Last week's Nextel All-Star Challenge was jam-packed with lots of activity and this weekend will be no exception. There will be lots for fans to experience and witness.
Thursday night is a big night of action with Nextel Cup qualifying at 7:10 p.m. Following the qualifying session, fans will be able to watch road course racing with the Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) SPEED World Challenge event. The race, part of a 10-race SCCA series schedule, will include a combination of the racing oval at Lowe's Motor Speedway along with road course elements through the infield. Thursday's race will also include some familiar faces with Kasey Kahne piloting the #13 Dodge Viper and Jimmie Johnson behind the wheel of the #48 Cadillac.
For those that are fans of racing on dirt, the World of Outlaws will race in the Eckerd Outlaw Showdown at The Dirt Track at Lowe's Motor Speedway Friday night at 8:00 p.m. Fans can meet drivers at the pit party from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on the concourse under the main grandstand. All the drivers in Friday night's Eckerd Outlaw showdown are scheduled to appear at the pit party, including 20-time World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser, defending series champion Donny Schatz and 2001 champion Danny "The Dude" Lasoski.
Any fans hanging out in the Morehead Farms campground this weekend may catch a surreal glimpse of something rarely seen at a race track – a wedding. The couple, 50-year-old Sharon Hughes and 60-year-old Nolan Bailey of Walterboro, S.C., plans to get married Saturday afternoon at 4:00 p.m. prior to the NASCAR Busch Series race. The couple has been traveling to races together for several years and will have family and friends camping along with them this weekend.
The cast of the new motion picture, "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer," will be attending the race this weekend. Scheduled to appear are the four principal stars of the film, Jessica Alba, Michael Chiklis, Chris Evans, and Ioan Gruffudd. The four stars will serve as honorary officials and also take part in other pre-race activities. "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer" is scheduled to release in theaters on June 15 and is the second installment of a series of films based on the popular comic book.
Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen will serve as the grand marshal for Sunday's Coca-Cola 600. In his role as grand marshal, Bredesen will preside over pre-race ceremonies and will give the command, "gentlemen, start your engines." Senator and Republican presidential candidate John McCain will serve as the honorary starter by waving the green flag to start the longest race of the season.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Quick Facts
Charlotte Lap Record: Elliott Sadler (27.948 seconds and 193.216 mph), Oct. 13, 2005
Charlotte Race Record: Bobby Labonte (3 hrs., 56 min., 55 sec/151.952 mph), May 28, 1995
2006 Nextel Cup Winner: Kasey Kahne
Total Purse: $6,569,628
