Coca-Cola 600

It was a very hot day in Concord, NC, but even with sweat dripping down our faces, we were all excited to go to the race. It was grandpa and grandma's first time going to a NASCAR race, and we were excited to show them what it was all about. 

We wanted to get to the race a little early, so we could walk around the fan zone. It was so hot that, we didn't stay in the fan zone for too long, but it was long enough for us to see Big and Rich come out and say a few words after their concert they held there. 

After walking the fan zone for a bit, we went to our seats. We still had a while before the driver introductions started, but it was fun to watch everything come together. We have always gotten to the race just as the race was just starting, so I really wanted to make sure we got there early enough to see everything this time! Thankfully, our seats were in the shade or else it wouldn't have been too fun sitting there.

Being able to see the driver intros and watching them each drive by waving was very cool to watch. The kids really enjoyed seeing them in the back of the trucks waving to the crowd. 

And then my favorite part of the start of the race, seeing Channing Tatum. He was the grand marshal for the race. He filmed a movie here last year that includes some of the drivers in the movie, so no better person to be the grand marshal for the race, then Channing.

Pace Car

The craziness of race day

Hello Dale JR.

Hey there, Jimmie Johnson

Danica sporting her red, white, and blue shoes for the race

Drivers, start your engines

Storms are coming into the area, so please take cover!

At lap 143 the drivers were signaled to go to pit road and get out of their cars, while the announcer was telling the fans to please get out of the stands and please take cover because of lightening in the area. So, the fans all left their seats and took cover under the grand stands and waited for the rain to stop. I believe the rain delay in all was about 2 hours. It didn't seem that long at all, and it was fun watching the jet driers come out on the track to dry it. 

With the rain delay, that meant that the race ran later then usual. I believe the end time was 12:30ish. Logan fell asleep a couple times, McKenna also fell asleep, and McKaila cuddled up with Grandma, but we still all had a fun time! 

The race winner was Austin Dillon, which it was his first cup win, which was very exciting to see. But coming to the second to last lap Jimmie Johnson was the leader, but he ran out of gas, which gave Austin the opportunity to take over and win his first cup race.