Every year, the Coca-Cola 600 reminds us why Charlotte shows up in a big way on Memorial Day weekend. This year, Coca-Cola Consolidated’s impact stretched well beyond the grandstands at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Together with community partners and fellow NASCAR supporters, Coca-Cola Consolidated turned the weeks leading up to the race into a series of moments rooted in service, local pride and sustainability, connecting one of the Queen City’s marquee events to lasting impact across the region.
With an eye toward America’s 250th anniversary, we treated the Coca-Cola 600 as another opportunity to give back, honoring the spirit of service that defines Memorial Day while investing in the communities we’re grateful to serve.
Fueling local communities
Before the green flag ever waved, more than 150 volunteers gathered at Charlotte Motor Speedway to pack 50,000 meals with Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina, The Coca-Cola Company and Coca-Cola Racing drivers, supporting families across the region. Each meal included servings of vegetables, fruits, proteins and grains, and meals were delivered to school pantries and community partners across Cabarrus and Rowan counties and beyond. Coca-Cola Consolidated also donated Dasani alongside the boxed meals.
“By the Fourth of July, we want to pack and serve 250,000 meals,” said Coca-Cola Consolidated Chief Customer Officer Christine Motherwell. “All as a part of a broader statewide effort tied to our yearlong America250 campaign.”
Inspiring the next generation
Race week also provided a chance to open doors for young people and show them what it takes to keep an event like the Coca-Cola 600 running. Ahead of race day, Coca-Cola Consolidated hosted students from Boys & Girls Clubs of America at its Snyder Production Center for a behind-the-scenes look at the scale, planning and teamwork required to supply a major sporting event.
Recycling, drone shows and a military family surprise
With nearly 100,000 fans in attendance for NASCAR’s longest race, Coca-Cola Consolidated prioritized recycling. Throughout the weekend, an interactive America250-inspired “art canstallation” made from recycled aluminum cans invited fans to engage with recycling, In addition, Coca-Cola Consolidated worked alongside Charlotte Motor Speedway staff and local volunteers to make recycling more accessible across the property.
Race fans also enjoyed a drone show on Sunday evening – and in honor of those who serve and who have sacrificed, a truck was provided by Coca-Cola Consolidated, in partnership with the USO, to Staff Sergeant, Ian Storms, a C-17 Load Master with the Air National Guard.
A new mural on an iconic landmark
In an effort to showcase the creativity that makes Charlotte, Charlotte, Coca-Cola Consolidated and The Coca-Cola Company together commissioned a local artist to create a new mural that now wraps the Speedway’s iconic water tower. The new mural highlights the history and relationship between Charlotte Motor Speedway and Coca-Cola, captures the spirit of the local community, and honors military service members for the profound sacrifices they have made for our nation.
The piece is part of Coca-Cola’s national America250 partnership and the “Paint the Nation” initiative, which aims to commemorate America250 on a local level, celebrating local heritage, inspiring unity and connection through shared American experiences as well as providing a lasting piece of public art that fosters community pride and education.
The Coca-Cola 600 proved once again that the impact of race week isn’t limited to what happens on the track. From packing meals and engaging students with the Boys & Girls Club, to elevating recycling and showcasing public art, Coca-Cola Consolidated was proud to show up across Charlotte in ways that extend well beyond race day.
