USAF Recruits start engines at NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600

U.S. Army Brig. Gen. John P. Cogbill, XVIII Airborne Corps of Fort Bragg, N.C., administers Oath of Enlistment to 40 recruits as the crowd cheers them on at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina, during the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race, May 25, 2025. The race was dedicated to honoring service members for the Memorial Day holiday and is NASCAR’s longest Cup Series race at 600 miles, hosting nearly 100,000 patrons and becoming the first to reach an Amazon Prime streaming audience. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Della Creech)

USAF Recruits start engines at NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600

Col. Michelle Coumbs, 367th Recruiting Group commander, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, shakes hands with frontline recruiters while engaging future Airmen at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina, during the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race, May 25, 2025. Forty Service members were sworn in during NASCAR’s longest Cup Series race at 600 miles and hosting nearly 100,000 patrons, the race was dedicated to honoring service members on the Memorial Day holiday. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Della Creech)

USAF Recruits start engines at NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600

Joint service members render military salutes during a pre-race memorial while B-2 Spirit stealth bombers formation, from the 333rd Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, flew over at the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race, May 25, 2025, Concord, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Della Creech)

USAF Recruits start engines at NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600

B-2 Spirit stealth bombers formation, from the 333rd Fighter Squadron at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina, fly over in honor of Maj. William Watkins and Capt. Eric Das, an F-15E Strike Eagle crew killed in action during Operation Iraqi Freedom, at the Charlotte Motor Speedway while service members rendered military salutes during a pre-race ceremony at the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race, May 25, 2025, Concord, N.C. (U.S. Air Force photo by Tech. Sgt. Della Creech)

USAF Recruits start engines at NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600

Published June 5, 2025
By Tech Sgt. Della Creech
Air Force Reserve Command

USAF Recruits start engines at NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 --

U.S. Air Force Reserve Command and Recruiting Service leaders revved up inspiration and engagement for serving in the military at the Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina, during the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR race, May 25, 2025.

Before the race, recruiters and AFRS leaders had the opportunity to interact with over 2,200 fans, veterans, and interested individuals to learn more about what military service has to offer. The Air Force display offered a USAF Performance Lab to include a flight simulator and a real F-16 Fighting Falcon engine, in addition to a meet-and-greet with Bubba Wallace, #23 race car driver, open to the public in the Fan Zone.

In-service recruiter Senior Master Sgt. Gideon Curry, 351st Recruiting Squadron flight chief, Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, N.C., said large engagements like this gather the Total Force of Air National Guard, Air Force Reserve, and Air Force recruiters to share a full scope of what the 200+ Air Force careers can offer.

This race is NASCAR’s longest Cup Series race at 600 miles, and became the first in sports history to reach a younger Amazon Prime streaming audience. It marked the first Nielsen-measured sporting event outside of the National Football League to air exclusively on a streaming service.

The pre-race ceremony streamed eight recruits, from each military branch, taking their oath of enlistment in front of thousands of race fans centerfield, on the Charlotte oval. The Memorial Day race hosted nearly 100,000 patrons, honoring the memory of those service members who made the ultimate sacrifice, while inspiring the next generation of 40 Joint Force recruits to join military service.

Many honorable guests shared their respect and appreciation for the armed forces of the past, present, and future to include, Col. Michelle Coumbs, 367th Recruiting Group commander, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia.

Coumbs said, “Today was a tremendous opportunity to honor those who serve, reach diverse communities, and reinforce the proud bond between NASCAR and the USAF. It’s an honor and a strategic investment in our people, our mission, and our future.”

As the start of the race approached, the recruits were escorted towards the infield stage, where Brig. Gen. John P. Cogbill, XVIII Airborne Corps of Fort Bragg, N.C., joined them to administer their oath as the crowd cheered them on.

These recruits will enter a variety of career fields that cover a wide range of occupations, including flight and aviation, Science Technology Engineering and Mathematics, (STEM), and more.

“The Air Force and NASCAR have synergy, and today we get to say thank you,” said Steve Lauletta, president of 23XI Racing and president of Pigeon Sports Marketing. “Like the USAF, our team is based on innovation, community, teamwork and trust. We couldn’t ask for a better partner in STEM career advancements.”

To learn more about serving in the Air Force, Air National Guard or Air Force Reserve, go to www.airforce.com/find-a-recruiter or download the AIM HIGH app to speak directly with a recruiter.