Memorial Day weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, was one Jennifer and I will never forget. We spent Sunday, May 24, 2026, with our RaceAway guests at the Coca-Cola 600, a night filled with emotion, tradition, and the kind of atmosphere that makes a RaceAway Charlotte Motor Speedway NASCAR package such a meaningful way to experience this race weekend. From the moment our group gathered at the Embassy Suites Charlotte, we knew this was going to be more than just another race day.
Hosting Our RaceAway Group in Charlotte
We had a wonderful group with us for the weekend, and about a third of our guests had traveled with RaceAway before. That always says a lot to us. It gives the trip a family feel right away, especially when returning guests start recognizing one another in the lobby and first-time guests realize they are in good hands.
We were honored to have several service veterans with us on Memorial Day weekend. The Coca-Cola 600 has always carried extra meaning because of the way it pauses to recognize the men and women who have served our country, and this year that feeling was even stronger. Throughout the weekend, there was a respectful tone across the speedway: part celebration, part remembrance, and part gratitude.
We also celebrated Rose L.’s birthday, welcomed a couple of Australian guests, and enjoyed watching the group come together as the weekend unfolded.
Our hotel base was the Embassy Suites Charlotte, located at 4800 South Tryon Street in Charlotte. It gave our guests a comfortable place to settle in before race day, with the convenience RaceAway looks for when planning hosted NASCAR weekends. Charlotte Motor Speedway is about 25 miles from the hotel, and our itinerary planned for approximately a 45-minute ride to the track.
Race Day Transportation and Speedway Experience
On Sunday afternoon, Jennifer and I met guests in the lobby and helped everyone get ready for the charter departure. The buses loaded in front of the hotel, and we reminded the group to be ready a few minutes early so we could leave on time. As of the May 2026 itinerary, our charter transportation was scheduled to depart at 1:30 PM, with gates and pre-race infield access beginning at 2:30 PM.
As we made our way toward Charlotte Motor Speedway, we walked through the race-day basics one more time. As of the May 2026 itinerary, Charlotte permitted one soft-sided cooler no larger than 14 inches, one bag or backpack no larger than 18 inches, no glass containers, and cashless concessions and merchandise purchases.
Once we arrived, the energy around the speedway was powerful. Charlotte is such a special place for NASCAR fans: a race weekend rooted in tradition, patriotism, and the history of stock car racing. The pre-race window gave guests time to take in the atmosphere, visit concessions and merchandise areas, and, for those with pre-race infield access, get closer to the activity before the evening ceremonies began.
Memorial Day Ceremonies and Pre-Race Emotion
The pre-race festivities were one of the most memorable parts of the entire weekend. Charlotte Motor Speedway knows how to honor Memorial Day, and being there in person gives those ceremonies a weight that is hard to describe. From our seats and around the concourse, we could see fans standing together, veterans being recognized, and families taking a quiet moment to reflect before the race.
This year, that emotion was joined by another layer of remembrance as the entire NASCAR community came together to honor the life and legacy of Kyle Busch. Across the speedway, there were heartfelt tributes, moments of silence, special decals, and fans raising eight fingers in remembrance. It was quiet and emotional at times, but also deeply unifying. You could feel how much he meant to the sport and to the people in the grandstands.
The patriotic ceremonies were meaningful without feeling rushed. There was a strong sense of respect throughout the grandstands as the speedway honored the U.S. military and remembered those who gave their lives in service. Having service veterans in our own RaceAway group made that part of the day especially personal for us. Jennifer and I both noticed how still the crowd became during the more solemn moments, and how quickly the energy shifted back to pride and appreciation when the ceremonies called for applause.
As of the May 2026 itinerary, the NASCAR Cup Series pre-race show and opening ceremonies were scheduled for 3:30 PM, giving guests a full afternoon at the speedway before the 6:00 PM Coca-Cola 600 start time. For many in our group, those hours before the race were just as important as the racing itself. The flags, the military recognition, the anthem, the remembrance elements, and the Memorial Day atmosphere all reminded us why the Coca-Cola 600 stands apart on the NASCAR schedule.
Highlights from This 2026 Coca-Cola 600 Weekend
- A meaningful Memorial Day weekend atmosphere, with patriotic ceremonies honoring the U.S. military and remembering those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
- Several service veterans traveling with our RaceAway group, which made the pre-race military recognition especially moving.
- Emotional speedway-wide tributes honoring Kyle Busch, including moments of silence and fans raising eight fingers.
- A friendly mix of returning RaceAway travelers, first-time guests, birthday celebrations for Rose L., and international fans from Australia.
- Smooth hosted transportation from the Embassy Suites Charlotte to Charlotte Motor Speedway and back after the race.
- A memorable rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600, with Daniel Suárez earning the victory and dedicating the win to Kyle Busch and his family.
A Weekend Our Guests Will Remember
When the racing finally got underway, the evening carried a weight none of us will forget. Daniel Suárez delivered a memorable victory in the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600, and his dedication afterward brought the weekend full circle. It was competitive, emotional, and respectful all at once.
After the trip, Michael M. sent us a note that meant a lot: “Wanted to say thanks again for an incredible experience at the Charlotte 600 this Memorial Day Weekend!! Top notch experience and service from you all again. We will be back again soon for another experience in the near future.”
That is exactly what Jennifer and I hope for when we host these weekends. At RaceAway, we have been taking fans to NASCAR races for more than 20 years, and weekends like this remind us why the details matter. The hotel, the transportation, the timing, the tickets, the guest questions, the little moments in the lobby and on the bus. It all adds up.
This Coca-Cola 600 weekend at Charlotte Motor Speedway was emotional, smooth, and unforgettable. For fans looking ahead, check current Charlotte Motor Speedway NASCAR packages or explore other NASCAR travel packages with RaceAway.