Report: Donald Trump planning to attend Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte, jeopardizing Kyle Larson’s double
Former President Donald Trump is “making plans” to attend this Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600, according to Charlotte Motor Speedway general manager Greg Walter.
“We are hearing that the 45th president of the United States is making plans to attend our race this weekend,” Walter told Erik Spanberg of the Charlotte Business Journal.
Trump, 77, would become the first president to attend a race at Charlotte. He notably attended the 2020 Daytona 500 during the final year of his presidency. Trump served as the grand marshal for the race, delivering the most famous words in motorsports, “Gentlemen, start your engines.”
Trump, the presumptive Republican nominee in the 2024 election, was in Charlotte last month and held a campaign rally in Wilmington soon thereafter.
His presence in Charlotte could have an effect on Kyle Larson’s plans of becoming the fifth driver to complete the Indy-Charlotte Double. Larson qualified fifth for this Sunday’s 108th Running of the Indy 500 and following the conclusion of the race, will jet over to Charlotte to race in the Coca-Cola 600. Green flag for the Indy 500 will wave at approximately 12:45 p.m. ET, while the Coca-Cola 600 begins at 6 p.m.
Could Donald Trump impact Kyle Larson’s travel from Indianapolis to Charlotte?
As a former sitting president, it’s very possible that an airspace restriction could exist while Trump is on the move.
“No person may operate an aircraft over or in the vicinity of any area to be visited or traveled by the President, the Vice President, or other public figures contrary to the restrictions established by the FAA and published in a NOTAM,” the Federal Aviation Administration’s website reads.
Larson had no issue getting to North Wilkesboro Speedway for Sunday’s NASCAR All-Star Race after taking part in Indy 500 qualifying earlier in the afternoon. He arrived around 7:15 p.m., well in time for the 8:30 p.m. start. One year after dominating the event, Larson placed fourth in Sunday’s All-Star Race.
“I thought we were in great position there,” Larson said after the race. “Got to fourth pretty quickly; got to third pretty quickly. I thought I could just be patient. I built really loose for a little while, and then they started kind of inching away from me. Moved up and I was kind of hanging on from there. I was surprised that the guys that didn’t pit were as strong as they were.
“I thought we were going to be in the best position there to win. Hats off to the No. 5 HendrickCars.com Chevy team. I know they had a lot of work this week; having Kevin [Harvick] practice, swap seats and everything back to where I could drive it. Proud to go back and forth and have a shot to win.”