Ahead of next month’s historic 66th running of the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend, Charlotte Motor Speedway continued its 2025 Mission 600 campaign Wednesday, visiting the 82^nd Airborne at Fort Bragg, with Coca-Cola Racing Family driver Daniel Suárez.

Now in its eighth year, Mission 600 brings together NASCAR drivers with units from regional military bases in an effort to educate the NASCAR community about the day-to-day lives of the men and women who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces and to build meaningful connections between the worlds of motorsports and the military.

“I have always appreciated the military – what all the men and women do for this amazing country,” said Suárez. “But when you get to experience exactly what they have to do 24/7, it’s just a completely different level… Huge respect for them. The level of discipline is pretty high. I very, very much appreciate the opportunity.”

During his visit, Suárez spent the day learning about the equipment and training that paratroopers with the 82^nd Airborne receive. With coaching by the 3^rd Brigade Combat Team and 16^th Military Police Brigade, the Trackhouse Racing driver strapped on parachutes and gear, then leaped from the installation’s 34-foot jump tower. Suárez also participated in live-fire exercises, learning weapons systems ranging from grenade training to firing the M4 Carbine and a Howitzer, a 105mm weapon that uses a six-man team – much like a NASCAR pit crew – to aim and fire. He finished the day behind the controls of two helicopter flight simulators.

“I never thought they were going to let me jump out of the tower, or try to fly in the simulator or get on the big machine gun – the big, automatic one. I think I burned 150 bullets in a minute,” Suárez said. “Doing all these different things, for them, it’s normal, but for me – today was the very first time I grabbed a 9mm gun. I think they call it a ‘pistol.’ It’s quite an experience and I feel very fortunate to be part of it.”

Fort Bragg is the largest military installation by population in the U.S., providing the infrastructure and training that enables a ready, capable force to fight and win the nation’s wars. The 82nd Airborne Division is America's immediate response force - ready to deploy and answer the nation's call in 18 hours.

At Charlotte Motor Speedway, Memorial Day Weekend provides the opportunity to pay tribute to the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces, particularly those who paid the ultimate sacrifice. With the support of the U.S. Department of Defense, the patriotic Coca-Cola 600 pre-race show includes representation from all six major branches of the military.

TICKETS:
Tickets are still available for the Coca-Cola 600 Weekend, May 23-25. Fans can purchase tickets online at www.charlottemotorspeedway.com or by calling the ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS (3267). Admission includes free access to daily concerts by fan-favorite cover band Hairball (Friday) and GRAMMY-nominated Smash Mouth (Saturday). Sunday’s pre-race concert by Old Dominion is free with purchase of a Coca-Cola 600 race ticket.

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