Dignitaries annouced for Charlotte 600

Fort Bragg's Major General Charles Swannack Jr. Named Grand Marshal; Congressman Richard Burr Honorary Starter for May 30 Coca-Cola 600

CONCORD, N.C. (May 18, 2004) - In recognition of Memorial Day weekend, United States Army Major General Charles Swannack Jr. has been named grand marshal and U.S. Congressman Richard Burr will serve as the honorary starter for the May 30 Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series race at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Swannack and Burr will join a host of military personnel in "Operation Appreciation," a Coca-Cola 600 pre-race show tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces.

Among his duties as grand marshal, Swannack will give the command, "gentlemen, start your engines," to send the 43 drivers on their way in the longest race on the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series schedule. Swannack replaces Brigadier General Benjamin Freakley who was forced to withdraw as grand marshal due to a scheduling conflict.

Congressman Burr will wave the green flag to officially start the 20th running of the Coca-Cola 600. "All of us at Coca-Cola join NASCAR fans across the nation in expressing our thanks and support for the members of the U.S. Armed Forces who are serving to protect our freedoms in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world," said Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated spokesman Lauren Steele. "It is only appropriate on Memorial Day weekend we pay a special tribute to America's military. We are honored to have Major General Swannack and Congressman Burr join us as race officials for the 2004 Coca-Cola 600."

Swannack is the Commanding General of the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division based at Fort Bragg and a combat veteran of numerous military operations including service in Haiti, Panama, Bosnia and Iraq. A 33-year U.S. Army veteran, Swannack was named Commanding General of the 82nd Airborne Division in March.

Republican Richard Burr has represented North Carolina's fifth congressional district since 1995. Burr is a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. A graduate of Wake Forest University, Burr lives in Winston-Salem with his wife, Brooke and two sons.

Tickets for the Coca-Cola 600 start at just $29 and can be obtained by calling 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.

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