Round the Be conscious: Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway

it's almost time for summer but before you hit the beaches you got to come through Charlotte and our Memorial Day tradition and it's the big one it's a time for racing oh Larson's around but it's also a time to reflect on those who made the ultimate sacrifice it's impressive what our sport does to truly.

Get into the meaning behind Memorial Day straping folks we're going through wide oh they're wrecking this is NASCAR's Crown Jewel I grew up watching this race this is the Coca-Cola 600 burnt rubber gasoline and fireworks it's a time to Memorial Day tradition for the Queen City as NASCAR brings one of its most prestigious races to.

America's home for racing the fans are here they're out the drivers have just drive to Charlotte Motor Speedway welcome to the Coca-Cola 600 and welcome inside a very special edition of around the track it is Memorial Day weekend this is Charlotte Motor Speedway I'm Carla Gart he is Gabe McDonald and we are finally getting ready for another.

Crown Jewel event absolutely the Coca-Cola 600 it's a race that fans flock to not just the die hards here in our area fans from all across the world are here at CMS to celebrate racing Memorial Day weekend that's right and if you want a stack show well we got it for you we not only have drivers that are going to be driving in the Coca-Cola 600.

But we've got former drivers one of the most popular figures in the sport Dell nhart Jr going to join us in a minute to help us preview the race absolutely some of the current drivers as well Bubba Wallace Alex Bowman and even the defending Infinity Series champion Cole kuster going to be joining us as well we got the whole Squad in the building.

Michael set down near Pit Road we got Grace Grace Grill near the hollers and we all remember this race got moved to Monday last year so we got our own meteorologist Andrew Brightman keeping an eye on the skies for us but first let's go ahead and break down this race Carla let's do it and it is the endurance test of NASCAR six 00 miles of.

Unpredictable conditions unpredictable drivers and unpredictable results the Coca-Cola 600 is one of the sports most prestigious races because of the challenge that it presents and we're not just talking about it being the longest race it's also one of the toughest because the race starts in the daylight and it ends at night conditions of the.

Track change as the sun goes down and don't forget the spotty showers in the forecast as well this isn't the first rodeo for these drivers we know that but it is a wild ride you need on your resume to become one of NASCAR's Elite yeah we uh balance I mean we need to we need to get the the four tires at the end of the day all this only matters is.

How you get your four tires to grip to the racetrack and it's as simple as that and we've been off on our balance we're sliding the front tires we sliding the rear tires or just the right front or just the right rear so um we're continuing as the one car in track house and Chevrolet to try to make all those four tires work together better um if we.

Get that right we can go win the world 600 and that's all I ask for is shot yeah I think um it's definitely been aggressive just the nature of the car makes it like that and how you know you have to race and fight for track position early in the race you can keep it it's really hard to pass and then feel like my car handles really well um.

My team's done a great job with with our car this weekend and and preparing for this race and like it's a it's a really good piece we have none of the prep has been too different I've probably done you know for obvious reasons a little bit more prep for the 500 but um I feel like we'll be in a good spot for the NASCAR stuff and uh you know I think we.

Proved that at the All-Star Race last week you know I had zero laps of practice you know didn't get to watch a whole lot of practice anyways and uh you went out there and still had a shot to win you know at one point in the race so um yeah I would say our process is fine well let's go ahead and Tackle CMS by the Numbers we're going 400 laps and.

600 Mi on this 1.5 mile oval it'll be spread out over 4 100 life stages so an extra stage to try and get those stage points the front stretch is 1,980 Ft while the back is slightly shorter at500 and the banking in all four corners is at 24° four time coach 600 winner and Nascar Hall of Famer Jimmy Johnson boast the fastest lap but Dar wall trip blad.

Claim to the most wins with five with about an hour and a half until the command you already know we're talking to some of the biggest names in the infield ahead of the C 600 car that's right I believe Mike leet has found Bubba Wallace and so let's go ahead and check in with those guys right now Bubba Wallace we got some pressing.

Things to talk about but at the top of the list has to be the fact that you're going to be a father to a baby boy how excited are you about this oh it's been good we've obviously known for a while um and so letting the outside world kind of be a part of our journey now is is cool for us and kind of revisiting that that.

Moment when we found out it was a boy and the moment that we found out we were pregnant very exciting for us um so now the competition Peg goes even higher for me cuz I got to pay for somebody else now you got to mou the feed now I so I got my Air Jordans on you got your Air Jordans on I'm ready you're ready how.

Excited are you to race Charlotte oh it's good I'm I'm excited to be at a home race this weekend and and having money liion the new money lion wow program uh the cashback rewards um debut for them is is really really cool um but this is a place like standing in this room you know I grew up in this room here racing banderos and.

Legend cars and you name it so we're here we're home and we're looking to put on a good weekend I think you got three top 10 in your last six starts you were fourth here last year I feel like we're all trending toward you is this your weekend here I hope so you know we got to get through everything um you know starting out this weekend on the right.

Foot and see where we end up for the race love a good luck man thank you brother appreciate all right thanks Mike and you never know who's going to come on our stage here at CMS this is a man that's actually driven in the Coca-Cola 600 a handful of times that's right the reigning defending exfinity series champ.

Of course today we're calling him our NASCAR analyst but a steuart Hos racing driver Cole kuster joining us right now and Cole we appreciate you joining us yeah thanks for having me this is always one of the biggest races of the year so it's it's exciting to be out here yeah the hype is real right now as we got the fans behind us getting ready for this.

Race but you have driven in the Coca-Cola 600 several times before and this one really truly is special it is I mean this is a crown drill event for our Sports so this is one that every single driver wants the trophy it's a home race for all the race teams it's a race that every single every single team member wants to win so um this is definitely a.

Nice one to have on the trophy case and not to bring up any fresh drama but now that NASCAR doesn't have any of that but yesterday you were involved with a little bit of drama with Austin Hill at the end of the xinity race to bet MGM 300 just take us through that talk to us what happened yesterday have you guys talked afterwards what's kind of the.

Spill there uh not really yet I mean obviously it was really hard racing and then after the fact there maybe a little bit of extra curricular a little bit but uh you know at the end of the day we have to move on and go and try and win races and hopefully try and get another championship so um for us we're going to move on but it's Nars court now all.

Right so this is an endurance test that's what they all say about the Coca-Cola 600 like we said you've raced in it before now Ty Gibb says that he really doesn't even notice the difference that it's 600 miles what about you do you notice that I mean for sure I mean once you get halfway through and you ask how far we are I mean you.

Wish you didn't ask that question I mean it it feels like it it takes forever and you have to really keep yourself in the game mentally um but at the end of the day this is one of the races where you really see attrition in NASCAR you don't really see it much anymore it's just because how treacherous this track is this weekend and how uh how how hard it.

Is going to be for these drivers I always ask drivers this but is it a mental test or physical like which one's more I think definitely mental I mean trying to keep your focus for four or five hours straight and knowing one little mistake can end your whole day that's not an easy task to do so um and especially with how hot it is out how.

Treacherous the track is I mean every single fans is going to be getting their money's work today we've talked to a lot of drivers they say some of them have even sneaked snacks into their cars during were you ever one of those guys that did that I was never a snack guy I mean I maybe had I definitely tried to drink.

Water and electrolytes throughout the race but um I never tried to do this to snacks or peanut butter and jellies during the race but I know some guys do and see speaking of sneaking I mean Ford has really just come on straight I mean sneaking two wins the last two weeks Brad Kowski got points at Darlington last week Joey loano gets a million.

Dollars which we all love what has the Ford Camp done over the past few weeks to finally break through the season well they're definitely carrying some momentum for sure but I think at the end of the day they came out with the new Ford Darkhorse Mustang this year and I think it took them a few races to try and figure it out figure out what they.

Needed with the new car and now I think they're really coming on strong so um we'll see if through this summer stretch if they can really uh really hone in on it let's talk silly season right now because we're in the midst of a lot of different moving parts of course Michael McDow that was kind of the first Domino to fall steuart hos racing has kind of.

Been in the news how are you taking all of the Silly Season news and and what's it like as a driver to kind of be in the in the news in that case oh well at the end of the day we focused on the race ahead you know we focus on trying to win races in the xandy series and I think if you win enough races you know everything's going to hopefully pan out.

Right you know but I think there's you know there's a lot of guys who are trying to figure out what they're doing for next year right now I mean for me I think I've always ever since coming back to xinity I want to my goal is get back to cup you know and try and prove that I I belong to be there so um we've we've done a lot since then but um hopefully.

We can keep keep it keep going when you look at this race and just kind of the momentum it can give a driver I mean just given it's a crown jewel you know and obviously coming to the back half of the Season who maybe a guy that you've maybe seen over the course of the first half of the season that's really started the Breakthrough and has a good chance.

To win today oh man I mean I think when you look at Brad kazlowski and what they're doing at RFK right now him and Chris busher they've really come on strong um I think when you look at even Justin Haley I think he's a real dark works with with Rick wear racing um they've really really done a great job this year so um seeing those guys trying.

To hit their Stride Right Now is really cool track conditions going to come into play certainly especially the heat it is pretty hot out here despite the win right now how difficult uh is that as a team to make these decisions through throughout this race I'm glad I'm not in their shoes right now you know it's it's really tough um because when this track.

Is hot it's one of the most temperature sensitive tracks we go to on the circuit so um when it's hot the track's probably 3 or 4 T slower and when it's cool it picks up three or 4 t0 so it's really tough to get your car to work good in both conditions so you might see some comers and goers throughout the day and just how significant is this weekend too.

I mean Memorial day and just all the things that NASCAR does I know this has to be a special weekend for all the drivers being able to honor our heroes it's huge I mean it's one of the coolest things that we do in all of NASCAR what we do for the service uh service members uh for this race so um being able to really represent what they do and honor.

Them really ma matters a lot to us well Cole we appreciate your time and for stopping by of course good luck defending your title this season and next week in Portland but we got a lot more coming up on around the track right gab absolutely we're talking to one of the most iconic names in the sport and believe it or not Dale ar ar Jr has.

Actually never won this race but he sure does have some opinions on it and exclusive interview with the Hall of Famers is coming up Grace down by the haulers where drivers and teams are making their final preparations for this race we're going to chat with one hendri driver who still needs a win to lock in a playoff spot.

Got chat with Alex Bowman coming up in just a bit track welcome back here to Charlotte Motor Speedway take a look at the scene on Pit Road right now as we got teams preparing fans filtering in and out of the stands of course our focus is here on the 600 but Charlotte shares at racing day with the 500 the Indie 500.

Which is already underway at Indianapolis Motor Speedway right now and with the delay that means Kyle lson will not be running in the double of course we have to wait and see word on if he'll attempted in 2025 but now we do know who's going to be taking his place in the five car coming up tonight that's right enter Justin Aly who's getting a.

Chance of a lifetime this afternoon in that Hendrick Motorsports number five car obviously likely going to be taking Kyle Larson's place in this but if you're wondering a little bit about his experience he does have cup experience in fact he's driven in the Coca-Cola 600 in the past however he does not have any Cup starts with this next gen car so.

That's the important part here now for background all guy is a favorite in the Xfinity series driving the seven car for Junior Motorsports of course owned by Dell Jr a longtime driver for Mr H and Hendrick we've talked to a few people familiar with today's situation they say Justin Fitz in Kyle seed in the five just fine however he's not going to get.

Any practice laps whatsoever in it when asked about it on Friday he hoped this wouldn't happen but now that he has the chance he's going to make the most of it um but but it's cool to see their preparation I've sat through the the meetings and and try to understand their thought process on how they're going to accomplish everything right and and if I.

Know one thing with Hendrick Motorsports is that every eye is dotted and every tea is crossed usually and and this week has been no different than that so now Aly doesn't EX have larsson's Cup series resume in fact it's not even close Justin has 81 Cup starts no wins and his best finish was eighth at Bristol his average cup finish 302 and.

Carl you just mentioned him not getting any practice laps not even able to go through qualify I mean just pretty much going through this blindly I know this has to be a unique experience but still like you mentioned an opportunity of a lifetime we even saw last year with Cory Le Joy filling in with Chase Elliott what do you think is going through these.

Guys Minds did they get that chance in top level equipment to race in the longest race of the year Well top level equipment that's the the key to what you just said right and I think every driver would be fortunate enough to to go into Hendrick Motorsports and be able to drive the equipment there they are the top level team considered that and.

Hendrick Motorsports celebrating their 40th anniversary this season but Justin Aly it will be interesting to see what he does because we know this nextg car is unlike anything in in Motorsports at least on the NASCAR level in all three series and it's a huge learning curve uh when it comes to that now maybe there's a a chance that he could get in there.

And just you know get familiar right away but you just never know we did see Josh Barry though uh another Junior Motorsports driver last season now a cup driver but he got in that car filling in for Chase Elliott and for Alex Bowman last season and and and did pretty well with his shot so the only difference is that Al guy doesn't have as much prep as.

Barry had and I think the thing you're going to see here is a guy that's just truly hungry I mean I kind of compare it to you know a guy that's maybe a sophomore on JV you get that call up to Varsity and now you're able to really shine on Friday night so I think even with how yesterday finished with him with him wrecking out of that race you.

Know you hope he put that puts that behind him and can just get out here and just be hungry too but I think we could see him possibly make some noise I know it's obviously you know kind of farfetched here but I think when you have a guy like that that's been dominant at the Xfinity series level coming in with something to prove I.

Think that can make a pretty big difference out today yeah absolutely and I'll be excited to see Al guy out there just because he has been such a staple for the xinity series but listen there there's there's so much to to look at when you look at doing the double I know a lot of excitement was out there uh with Kyle Larson uh possibly getting to.

Do this there was so much hype really in indie car in NASCAR even in dirt racing because Kyle Larson has a lot of dirt racing fans as well a little bit of a disappointment we'll be interesting to see if he has to apply for a waiver uh to stay eligible for the playoffs because it it you know that's key that a Cup Series driver has to race in every.

Race to be eligible for the playoffs later and it is unfortunate I mean because when you look at Kyle arson I mean pound-for-pound probably the greatest driver right now I mean he could get on a Razor scooter and probably win a race so definitely somebody that you know super talented hopefully we'll see if he does it next.

Year but you know viously him not going through the double today definitely a bummer for a lot of fans yeah apparently we're hearing that there was a crash on lap one of indie car right now but it does not involve Kyle Larsson so all the five fans at least in NASCAR pretty excited to to hear about that but we got a lot more coming up here at Charlotte.

Motor Speedway uh from around the track and listen Jeff Gordon he's been all over the track today checking on his Hendrick Motorsports drivers up in Indie down here but he plays a pivotal role in Koch 600 history why you're about to find out and as we look live across the grid we're going to show you why we race on Memorial Day weekend it's not about.

Us or even the drivers it's about those who made the ultimate sacrifice and their families more around the track alive from charlot Motor Speedway is coming up next back live here at charlot Motor Speedway on around the track just about an hour over the fans the command is given fans starting to file in alongside.

Everybody here at charlot Motor Speedway of course going to be a great day to honor the military and also have the longest race of the Nascar Cup series season that green flag coming up shortly after 6 PM so how much do you know about this legendary NASCAR race okay some trivia for you right now how many drivers have won the Coca-Cola 600 and.

The Nascar Cup Series championship in the same year we'll give you a hint two of these guys did it twice if you think you know use the hashtag around the track to give us your answer we'll send some swag to one lucky winner possibly we'll reveal that answer later in the hour and while we are taking in NASCAR's longest race of the Season Gabe we have.

Not lost sight of what this weekend truly is about absolutely it's Memorial Day weekend and nobody honors our military better than NASCAR we're actually going to double down on that because Charlotte Motor Speedway is the best when it comes to honoring Our Heroes both past and present they call their F mission 600 and needless to say.

It was a big success this year we get to do what we do you know because of what's here that's what mission 600 is all about over the past 7 years Charlotte Motor Speedway has gone the extra mile to our nation's fallen heroes during Memorial Day weekend this year Five drivers Daniel Suarez Denny Hamlin Joey loano Chris busher and the.

Reigning Cup Series champion Ryan blay took part with blay also being the defending Coke 600 winner he continued the tradition of laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery a somber moment that truly puts things in perspective it makes you feel you know how small you actually are you know in the broader.

Picture of things you know hey we get to do a neat sport but at the end of the day this is is what you know real heroes are some missions however were a bit more extreme whether it be going through Marine Corps recruit training flying a fighter jet while we feeling midair or taking part in intense.

Shooting drills that include high-grade military weapons the stars who drive the cup series cars each weekend got a small glimpse of what the men and women who fight for the Stars and Stripes go through a true test of endurance ahead of the longest race of the NASCAR season there's some lessons you could take back to to our Race shop and apply and and be.

A lot better for it everything that you know I'm used to in a race car is just multiplied by 10 when you get here just everything is happening so quick to me the coolest part is to to get to know them you know who are these individuals you know who what they do in the weekly basis how how they got to this point and and obviously you know I have some more.

Respect for that again NASCAR doing such a great job honoring our military this weekend and every car is actually going to have the name of a fallen soldier on the windshield so just a great way for NASCAR to continue to honor unit our nation's fallen heroes this weekend yeah I love that and just everything that.

This weekend means to the sport to everyone across the country and NASCAR like you said they do it the best and hon honoring our military men and women uh you know they stopped the race and a moment of silence for for all of those that have fallen and it just really makes you think and reflect um it's not just some party weekend right this is.

Truly about honoring those that have given everything for us absolutely I mean they have some of the goldar families in attendance as well so really just doing a great job to just you know thank everybody for their service and just to thank those that have given the ultimate sacrifice for our nation so we can have the freedoms to do we we we we.

Do so Charlotte Motor Speedway does a great job with that every year that's right we got a lot more coming up on around the track we are bringing in a Hall of Famer that is driven in the Coca-Cola 600 we're taking a deep dive with Dell nhart Jr who is going to join us to preview the race that's coming up this is the 65 running of NASCAR's.

Longest race of the year it is upon us since seven active pole winners are in today's lineup including four of them who have driven for Hendrick Motorsports and of course another HMS driver is already currently in the playoff standings kind of locked in but not locked in with a win and of course he would love to do that today at the K 600.

Absolutely now Grace Grill is down in the hollers chopping it up with the driver of the 48 Alex Bowman hey Grace all right well we're here with Alex Bowman and just to guess your thoughts on here home at Charlotte and what's the difference of being able to you know sleep in your home bed and being so close to home certainly nice to.

To be close to home for sure um I live really close to here so it's a short easy trip compared to a lot of hours on an airplane like normal but um yeah Charlotte's a great RAC track I love coming here and and hopefully we can grab a win this weekend how comfortable are you at this home track yeah I feel like it's been a good place for me I I.

Want an xinity race here and we've led a lot of laps here haven't got a win yet but um yeah I mean I think think it's uh it's a fun place you can move around a lot it's gotten super rough let talk about the previous races that you've run here what have I'm sure you've watched filos coming into this track what have you noticed from those races you.

Previously run coming into this weekend um really just like trying to keep up with Trends on on what the RAC track's going to do kind of has done opposite things with the the nextg car than it used to so um trying to set ourselves up for long runs it's a 600 mile race so um I think we're in a good spot we've kind of missed it on opposite ends the last.

Two years so um hopefully we're we're good this year what's special about this race and just the the weekend of being able to honor our troops and having it mean more yeah for sure I mean every every 600 is special carrying a fallen service member's name on the car um having captain felder's name on the card it's just it's uh it's an honor you know.

I got to meet his mom uh via Zoom a couple weeks ago which was really fun and uh yeah you just want to uh represent for them the the best that you can right and um obviously you know life is a lot bigger than driving around in circles so um just super appreciative for for everybody out there that's uh that's served and is serving and um yeah.

It's uh it's a great thing that we're able to do Alex thank you all right thanks Grays and of course it's hard not to see one of Nascar's most iconic figures around town with NASCAR being in the Queen City this weekend and Carla he's a man you know well considering you do host one of his podcasts that's right Dell nhart Jr may.

Be retired from racing but he is everywhere in the sport Junior Motorsports Dirty Mo media he's a NASCAR analyst that you're going to finally get to see back on your screen starting next season and I got to talk with him and preview the coch 600 earlier this week I know this race means a lot to you where you got your first Cup Series.

Start means a lot to your family but can you kind of put into perspective the Coca-Cola 600 and the history of the sport yeah the Coca-Cola 600 uh used to be called the world 600 and I always uh joke around on social media you know the World 600 just sounds like the largest race you could possibly have right I mean what an iconic name for a race and.

Uh I think that says everything about how special the event is and it's the only 600 mile event uh we have a lot of you know Cornerstone or or pillar uh you know events throughout the season but the 600 is kind of out on its own Island uh in a very unique race and a very tough race you're you wouldn't think that your body would get so tuned to.

Doing certain distances and uh get so accustomed to running either the four or the 500 Mile races and when you go run the 600 those last 100 miles you really start to understand like man I am I am on empty you know I always appreciated how tough the race was and uh that it's in our backyard a you know I as a kid um a long long time.

Ago I remember you know begging dad to go to races but we never had to worry about Charlotte we're always going to be able to get to Charlotte then that it's so close to home but seen a lot of good things happened there is it more taxing mentally or physically I always found the the mental part of that last little bit to be so tough it's tough for the.

Driver to sort of find that extra little bit to to push and continue to push as hard all the way to the Finish Line you sort of start to nose over mentally and maybe kind of mail in those last handful of laps and not pay as not pay as close attention to your line um getting everything out of the car all of those things you start to get a little lazy I.

Guess toward the end of the race because you are you are worn out and you're tired but I mean if you're running great and you're battling for the lead you demands all your focus and and you don't want to have to worry about it but it's for those drivers like fifth on back they're really struggling at the end of the race one of the bigger story lines.

Weather permitting Kyle Larson going to run the double what does he bring because he's probably one of the greatest modern air drivers that we've seen in any type of race car what kind of popularity does he bring to both NASCAR and indie car this weekend you know I think because of his unique ability to drive just all these.

Different types of cars and be great in them he can you know he doesn't really need a break-in period when he jumps out of a cup car into a Sprint car going from dirt to Asphalt no matter what he drives he adapts very quickly he's obviously doing that with the indie car he's never drove these cars and it's such a it's it's an insane idea to be.

Able to say I'm going to go drive in this new discipline in their biggest race in the most demanding moment uh and he's he's risen to the to the occasion and um I you know I'm not surprised but uh I am impressed and I think that's the way pretty much everybody feels about it you're also going to be partnering with Amazon and TNT starting next season and.

The first race for Amazon Prime is going to be the K 600 how excited are you to be the voice behind that race next season I'm anxious to get back into the booth it's uh feels like it's been so long since I've been able to do any of that kind of work I am very excited to be partnered with Amazon and TNT uh being able to be around them uh over the.

Last several months it's they're very comfortable it's going to be a nice little transition for me and being out of the booth for a long St makes me nervous we've got five races to get it right so in the NBC deal we had 20 races and and I always felt like that we weren't really that great till we got toward the last five or so and I felt.

Like man we're really doing great work in those last five races but it took that 15 race stretch to get there we don't have that with Amazon or TNT we've got to start off awesome right to be able to really Hammer five races in a row so whatever the booth looks like whoever's in there trust me over the next 12 to 16 months we're going to be.

Practicing we'll be doing mock runs we'll get in a you know in a room somewhere and do some mock you know mock broadcast and stuff like that way more than we probably would have done preparing for MBC just so we're ready when we hit the ground our thanks to Dell Jr for his time speaking of Dell Senor has won this.

Race before he's actually a part of a very exclusive group of drivers that only two drivers in the field today are a part of we'll explain that next Mike right now all the the teams are hanging out on Pit Road but during the week they've got a home base one team received a major upgrade courtesy of Zess we'll tell you about that when.

Around the track continues live from Charlotte Motor Speedway this starting lineup for the Coca-Cola 600 is absolutely stacked eight guys who are revving it up today are past 600 Champions none more though than Jimmy Johnson who just landed from Indianapolis a short time ago no double attempt for him today just his TV side.

Gig we'll go racing here in just under an hour's time all right well time is up when it comes to our Co 600 trivia question did you get it how many drivers have won the Coca-Cola 600 and the Nascar Cup Series championship in the same year we even gave you a hint the answer drum roll please oh you did the drum roll I appreciate that well six.

Drivers have won this race and then went on to win the Cup Series last year Ryan blay joined a list that also includes Kyle Larson the King Richard Petty and Daryl Waltrip two guys though have accomplished that feat twice and they are Jeff Gordon and the Intimidator Dell nhart Senor so that is some Elite company for sure and let's talk a little.

Bit about Cory lejoy right now though because this is a driver fans love him but they also know they want to see him win a Cup Series race and that's something he hasn't been able to do yet but he is you know does a lot for the sport he has a stack and pennies podcast that's wildly popular all of the TV commercials that he does we love those.

Very personable guys as well of course with Chili's and the Margaritas we'll see what kind of happens with that but our very own Michael said actually made made his way down to the hauler to catch up with the driver of the Spire Motorsport 7 what's up Mike ACC cor Joy here we are again Charlotte Motor Speedway we talked last.

Year and in our conversation you told me that your dad never ran well here so my my question is if you were to get a win at Charlotte Motor Speedway who would it mean more to you or your dad Randy oh there's a long there's a long list of guys that don't mean a lot to uh but mostly our Spire Motorsports team and we've been digging so hard.

Uh but there would be especially being in in your own backyard I grew up going to school right down the street Northwest Baris so I can assure you it would be an absolute hell of a party if we won the C 600 I think you got six uh top 20 finishes here uh during your career what's it going to take to now get over the hump and cross into top 10.

Top five or maybe even win yeah the the 600 is so long it presents so many opportunities to to get some track position hopefully it plays well in our favor there's some attrition that goes along with that as well uh but you got to have Pace guys that generally have the fast carard it's long enough to where you can fight and scrap and get.

Your way back to the front um and I'm I'm excited about the pace we're going to bring with this Chili's Camaro this weekend and speaking of Chili's I'm going to end on a layup here I know that you guys just you know worked a new deal with Chili's so my question is this if you were to win this race would Chile's be able to handle the kind of party and.

Celebration that would no doubt ensue that that that you would have after winning this race uh we could probably stock about some margaritas for sure we're going to be slinging a lot of chilies this weekend I'm glad to have them back on our car uh but if we if we happen to win here tonight is going to be a uh a lot of margaritas going be.

Consumed I can prom Cory good luck in the race I appreciate it my friend thanks thanks Mike thanks Corey and uh the best thing he said I think is it would be an absolute party if we won the Coca-Cola 600 and I think a lot of drivers who live locally here would say the same thing about that if they won the 600 later tonight now One driver.

That hasn't done it but he did win the Xfinity Series yesterday was Chase Elliott and I don't I don't know if it was a surprise maybe a little bit of one we kind of were talking about it thinking that Tai Gibbs getting back in that xinity series car might have the advantage but it was the Elliot's team at the end yeah absolutely I mean him.

Being able to climb from being P30 I mean obviously we had a lot of things happening throughout the race Riley herps going out early of course Justin algar who we talked about earlier filling in for Carl Larson he's really been dominant I mean he swept the first two stages much like he did at Darlington and then got wrecked out.

There at the end of the race and Chas right place right time they ate an extra set of tires early so making that decision yesterday really made a big difference but this a special day of course with them running the hendrickcars.com 17 scheme a big a very big win for Mr H especially right down the street from the home shop yeah you.

Even mentioned a right call by his crew chief that's something that Elliott kind of talked a little bit about as well but he snapped his winless streak earlier this season at Texas Motor Speedway another guy that did that last season you can't forget uh the reigning Champion here at the Coca-Cola 600 that's Ryan blay 59 winless streak with.

Snapped at the C 600 then he went on a roll in the playoffs and and of course was the 2023 Nascar Cup Series champion but this is a race I think if you can get hot at the right time if you can make that win you're setting yourself up really well for the summer the summer stretch and the playoffs absolutely cuz I mean longest race of the Year a true.

Endurance test if you're able to make it through this and really battle through it you can battle through anything so I mean there's a couple guys a guy like Chris busher comes to M we've seen how close he's come in a handful of races the past few weeks if he can come out there and run well today this could Poss catapult him as well but also the man on.

The pole Ty Gibbs look at him yesterday on the poll as well I think if he can C he's been running well all season this could be a chance for him to obviously make a big run after this yeah a lot more though coming up here on around the track from Charlotte Motor Speedway yeah we're talking about one of the drivers who's already won the season Tyler reck.

Himself he's standing by to talk to us but he's also going to show us one of NASCAR's newest digs 2311 racing air speed is open and we got to sneak peak inside and going into this race the odds kept jumping around mostly because of Kyle Larson who's normally a race favorite but of course you know the Indie race the Indie 500 and Charlotte.

It affected that but did it affect it enough we got our Victory Lane locks and those Sports books picks next as we in closer to the green flag dropping here at charlot Motor Speedway more and more people starting to make their way into the Grand Sands here at charlot Motor Speedway and of course this is Memorial Day weekend as we honor.

Those who gave the ultimate sacrifice and our military men and women but we have a third consecutive sellout for the Coca-Cola 600 track officials tell us tickets have been sold to people in all 50 states Plus 14 foreign countries including Australia Tanzania and the Czech Republic more than 95,000 people are expected today at CMS Carla and we.

Knew he was coming we heard the rumors earlier in the week before it was officially announced but now we have seen it for ourselves former president Donald Trump has landed at Charlotte Motor Speedway you're watching his airplane fly in now here to Concord North Carolina but he is here getting ready to take in the Coca-Cola 600 the.

Only other race he's ever taken in the Daytona 500 so a welcome site for mini here at CMS and yesterday we had a big day for one Tai Gibbs two polls one weekend Gibbs saved his strongest performance of Saturday for the lap that mattered most finishing with a lap time of 29.3 55 seconds to claim the first cup series poll of his career he'll be.

In P1 to start today in the K 600 Gibbs just edged out William Byron by 06 seconds two of gibbs' jgr teammates Christopher Bell and Martin TRX Jr will start third and fourth today in the C 600 and as of now the weather looks like it's going to hold up but if it's needed these will be the stars of the show these air Titans will have the task of.

Drying up the track as quickly as possible so we can get all 600 miles in today there are 11 of them ready to go we've been told that including seven other jet dryers these machines can get the track dry in less than 2 hours and they'll get some help from the humidity here today because that is certainly the case and because of all of that we had.

To call in a favor game absolutely Andrew bitman holding things down back in studio Andrew my man how's the weather looking for this one all right NASCAR fans the day is finally upon us for the Coca-Cola 600 everyone's been asking what is the weather going to look like tomorrow afternoon here's.

Future cast we're starting up at 3:15 on your Sunday afternoon a lot of fair weather clouds potentially in isolated shower or storm as we go throughout the afternoon right up towards race time around 6 o' this is 4:45 5:30 again a couple of showers and storms around Charlotte Motor Speedway but odds are better than 50/50 we will be able to.

Stay dry again could see an isolated thunderstorm try to move through at some point but the bigger story is going to be the heat and humidity you're going to be dealing with if you are heading over to Charlotte Motor Speedway temperatures in the upper 80s at racetime thanks Andrew we know all of those conditions will certainly play a.

Part in today's race and those crew chiefs and what they call them absolutely we got to talk to one of the drivers who's really been successful so far this season and one of the teams that's starting to come on strong that is 2311 racing and we have our own resident jump D Jump Man Mike leet holding things down on Pit Road mik you.

Have more on their new digs that they opened up this week a little bit more of that but first Tyler redex 45 team was penalized for making an adjustment past the deadline because of that he's going to have to start from the rear today and he will not have a car Chief so some bad news for him but overall this was a great.

Week as you said for 2311 racing as they unveil their brand new home base I happen to see it firsthand at first glance the 114,000 Ft building that's called airsped can be a bit overwhelming the coolest part about this place I don't know I mean everything's so shiny and so new here it's easy to get lost in the.

Grandeur but at the heart of it the official homeall of 2311 racing wasn't meant to be bigger than the competition shops it was just to be better it's the efficiency of it because it was built for the cars that we race today in NASCAR as opposed to the traditional shops that have been around for a while were built to the previous cars still.

That doesn't mean expenses were spared in the Project's development well officials at the public grand opening wouldn't tell us the cost of the building they did admit to spending twice as much as they originally planned hey as coroner Michael Jordan would tell you championships don't come cheap we have to create a differentiator and I.

Feel like this is what uh we're trying to give our employees the best place to work and this is a good step unlike a lot of other shops this one has a gym as well as a cafeteria there's also lots of rooms where people can just come in and talk in designing the facility cooner Danny Hamlin didn't just want to create a place where people.

Would go to work he wanted them to hang out as well one of the main things is probably just the uh the environment whether it be natural light or the color um it makes you kind of want to come to work employees haven't working hard since they first moved in last December while it's still early a difference in their performance has been.

Noted I would say numbers say it's our best season yet and I would say 2311 racing just made a super sized upgrade But ultimately it doesn't matter what I say the question is what does Michael Jordan say well he had a chance to check it out recently he gave Danny a big thumbs up so Jordan approved so we.

Heard from Denny we heard from Bubba what about the member of 2311 Racing for more on that we send it over to Grace Grill I we here with Tyler reck and we're going to get it out of the way starting from the back thoughts well um this happened before um dare I say the last time this happened we we still went to Victory Lane so it's a long race um.

But I have all the faith in World in my guys and my team uh our beast unleashed to to Camry is going to be fast and uh we got a lot of cars to pass but we got 600 mil to get it done what's so special about running this race here Charlotte and just the the the mental toughness it takes to win this one yeah it's it's a tough race to manage uh for sure um when.

You have to start in the back it's another it's it just it just has that a little bit so just have to take it one lap at a time uh be very patient it is a long race you can find your way to the front if you have a good car so uh we'll we'll just have to do that um but but I remain really confident in what we have for a race car uh we were really solid.

Here a year ago and we had a lot of damage um and we were still able to run top to five so I know we'll have a good piece we'll just go out there and uh and work on a little bit and find our way to the front watching the previous races that you've run here preparing for this weekend's race what's kind of the things you're you're looking for that you you.

Kind of saw that you needed to fix coming into this one well I think the last two years for us you know we would we would we gain some track position throughout the run and lose a littleit on Fair Road so uh that's going to be another challenge again um in the race with with not having a good pit stall so we'll just have to manage that and.

Hopefully um we catch some breaks along the way some cars that are pitted around us out early or go lap down early uh so we can have a decent in and out great thanks so much got it so a lot to look forward to and watching Tyler reck we'll see if he can get it done today yeah coming from the rear obviously he's already got a win.

This season but see if he can make it two and get it done here in the co 600 but we got one last pit stop to make as marrex JR gets ready for the driver intros coming up but you got to wonder who are the sports books revving up today we got our victory at Lane locks coming up next looking forward to that and the weather is holding up we're.

Going to get this started on time it seems from America's Home of racing more around the track in just a minute well you saw the drivers filing out of their meeting before the break now they're filing up on stage getting ready for those driver intros which means we are so close to action picking up here for the longest race of the.

Season the Coca-Cola 600 here at Charlotte Motor Speedway and who does Vegas think will take the checkered flag later today these odds coming up here are courtesy of DraftKings no surprise at the top Carl lson the favorite at 9-2 coming in of course he will not be racing in the co 600 today he last won this race though in 2021 Denny hman is 6.

To1 Tyler reic 8 to1 William Byron and last year's coach 600 winner in the defending Cup Series champion Ryan blay are both 10 to one rounding out the top 10 Martin TRS Jr Chase Elliot BR Kowski Christopher Bell and the man leading the field to Green Ty Gibbs and those are the favorites but if you really want to cash in put some money on these dark.

Horse options that's right Noah greggson is to 1 Daniel Suarez 100 to1 Ricky Stenhouse Jr 200 to1 Cory Le Joy is 500 to1 and if you're feeling gutsy Shane Van gizer and is 800 to1 although he'll have a much better odds at the roal here in just four months and now it is time to give you our picks for the Coca-Cola 600 I hear that Grace Grill is going to.

Have Ryan blay repeating again here at the Coca-Cola 600 Mike leet picking Denny Hamlin Gabe who do you have give it the Charlotte kid who obviously comes from the shop just down the street William Byron to get a win here in the K 600 he has two top five finishes in the last three Co 600 of course he wrecked out in 2022 and he's been on a tear this.

Year already has three wins this season he's proven he can win anywhere winning the the Daytona 500 winning at Kota and then at Martensville I think he gets it done give me 24 to get win number four all right I have picked this guy a lot in season's past and I've already picked him a lot this year but hey he's got three wins so far I'm picking Denny.

Hamlin to get it done he's already won the Coca-Cola 600 once before in recent years how about he gets it done again he's already called a shot for the championship maybe it works in reversal that he gets that that going but listen we have enjoyed our time with you here getting you ready for the Coca-Cola 600 we hope you got your caffeine ready for.

A long night of racing we hope you enjoy the Coca-Cola 600 and of course have a very safe Memorial Day weekend thanks for joining us enjoy the race everybody

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