CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Legendary talk-show host and avid car collector Jay Leno will be joined by his former The Tonight Show musical director, Kevin Eubanks, to offer the most famous words in motorsports, "Drivers, Start Your Engines", when the pair serve as grand marshals for the 62nd running of the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday, May 30 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Together for 15 years on The Tonight Show, the longtime friends and television stars will launch a new network comedy program, ‘You Bet Your Life’ on FOX this fall.
Joining the star-studded affair, Carolina Panthers’ All-Pro running back Christian McCaffrey will pilot the Toyota Camry TRD as the honorary pace car driver, leading the field of NASCAR Cup Series drivers to the green flag to start the crown jewel event.
Additional dignitaries for Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 include:
- Presentation of Colors: Official Color Guard of the U.S. Marine Corps, Marine Barracks Washington
- State of Freedom Address: Admiral Karl L. Schultz, Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard
- Invocation: Brian Koyn, Division Chaplain at 82nd Airborne Division, U.S. Army
- National anthem: MU1 Megan Weikleenget, U.S. Coast Guard
- Honorary Starter: Jim Whaley, USO Southeast Regional President
- Dignitaries for Saturday’s Alsco Uniforms 300 Xfinity Series race include:
- Presentation of Colors: North Carolina State Highway Patrol Honor Guard
- Invocation: Billy Mauldin, President and CEO of Motor Racing Outreach
- National Anthem: Amia Nico, Patriotic Performing Artist
- Grand Marshals: Chris Foote, Managing Partner, Longhorn Steakhouse; and Celebrity Chef Robert Irvine, Host of Food Network's Dinner: Impossible
- Honorary Starter: Chris Hefner, Director of Operations Longhorn Steakhouse, Charlotte Market
- Dignitaries for Saturday’s General Tire 150 ARCA Menards Series race include:
- Presentation of Colors: Civil Air Patrol 111th Search and Rescue Composite Squadron
- Invocation: Tom Kipp, Motor Racing Outreach Chaplain
- National Anthem: Sue Brabham
- Dignitaries for Friday’s North Carolina Education Lottery 200 Camping World Truck Series race include:
- Presentation of Colors: UNCC Air Force ROTC Honor Guard
- Invocation: Tom Kipp, Motor Racing Outreach Chaplain
- National Anthem: Roxanne Clark, Little Miss and Teen Miss NC Ambassador
- Grand Marshal: Mark Michalko, Executive Director of the N.C. Education Lottery
TICKETS:
Log on to www.charlottemotorspeedway.com for tickets, schedules and more information on the weekend’s three days of action-packed racing. Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 tickets start at just $59. Kids 13 and under get in for just $10.
Off the Clock with Carboni is a weekly, in-depth, inside look at Charlotte sports, including the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets, and more, hosted by WCNC Sports Director Nick Carboni.
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