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Martin Truex Jr. wins Coca-Cola 600

By DaShawn Brown, wsoctv.com and Alexa Ashwell
By DaShawn Brown, wsoctv.com and Alexa Ashwell

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Martin Truex Jr. won the Coca-Cola 600 in record-breaking fashion Sunday night.

Despite rain chances, race fans fill the stands at the Coca-Cola 600

Gray skies have been no match for NASCAR’s longest race or the thousands of fans it brings every year.

“Rain isn’t going to keep me away,” Tom Langston said while grilling outside his recreational vehicle.

Langston traveled to Charlotte from South Carolina and said he’s been tailgating at events inside Charlotte Motor Speedway for more than a quarter century.

“Ribs is a tradition,” Langston said.

But for other fans it’s more about the decorations than the food.

Charlene Lapensee and her husband have entered their camper in the “Coke Contest” for the past several years.

“We come down here from Ontario. It’s a 17-hour drive,” Lapensee said. “We’ve actually won the contest four times in a row now. This race is awesome. This is one of our favorite tracks. The sights, the sounds, the people.”

Melinda Conner came to the Coca-Cola 600 for one, very special person.

“My son is a Marine and he’s taking part in today’s ceremonies,” Conner said. “I’m very proud of him. I’ve come to respect the military now more than ever before.”

Memorial Day is a time to remember those who died while serving our country. Many fans said they couldn’t think of a better place to do just that than at the annual Coca-Cola 600, rain or shine.

Speedway officials prep for rain ahead of Coca-Cola 600

On the eve of the 57th running of the Coca-Cola 600, and with the threat of rain looming from Tropical Storm Bonnie along the East Coast, officials at Charlotte Motor Speedway said they're prepared for the worst but still hoping for the best.

“Everything we can do to try to get the event in is always the first priority," Scott Cooper, vice president of communications, said.

The track is equipped with 14 jet dryers and a dozen Air Titans, powerful equipment that can dry the track in less than two hours.

Cooper said in order for the race to proceed, the track must be completely dry. Cooper added that officials will also rely on an on-site meteorologist, who has been in constant contact with the National Weather Service.

As many as 100,000 fans are expected to attend Sunday's race, with many already on the grounds, after camping out for days.

"We got out here Friday," race fan Phillip Bryant said. "Rain or shine. That's it. We're here until the end."

Race fans had a taste of inclement weather just one week before when soaking rain canceled the qualifying rounds ahead of the Sprint All-Star Race.

Charlotte Motor Speedway officials are encouraging fans to check its social media sites ahead of the race for any changes or delays caused by inclement weather.

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