On Sunday, the NASCAR heads to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the longest race of the Cup Series season. The Coca-Cola 600 has always been a special race, and it is even more special as a celebration of Memorial Day; a celebration that is especially shown when the drivers run patriotic paint schemes to honor the men and women of the armed forces who have made the ultimate sacrifice.
Ryan Blaney will pilot a camouflage-covered No. 12 BodyArmor Sports Drink Ford Mustang for Team Penske. The scheme will have plenty of people talking about it, but it will mean a lot more if Blaney can win.
The wait is over ? Introducing @Blaney's Cherry Lime camo paint scheme for the Coca-Cola 600 ? Who's ready for this weekend? #TeamBODYARMOR pic.twitter.com/p63M9k6nzg
— BODYARMOR (@DrinkBODYARMOR) May 22, 2023
Every driver dreams of winning the Coke 600, but the grueling, 400-lap event has seen plenty of favorites waver over the years.
Blaney, who is currently on a 59-race winless streak, had his last points-paying victory at the 2021 Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona. That hasn't been because of a lack of effort by Blaney, as he has been knocking on the door for a win this season.
"We've been close a few times and have been in contention to win two of the recent races at Talladega and Dover," Blaney told Auto Racing Digest. "It's not a bad start. We need to find a little more speed here and there to consistently contend for wins week in and week out. But hopefully, we'll get there."
Blaney sure seems close with three top-five finishes, including two second-place finishes at Phoenix and Talladega. Plus, he has seven top-10 finishes on the season as a whole. Heading back home to Charlotte could be just what the doctor ordered for Ryan, who likes his chances in the race
"Obviously, the 600, that's a crown jewel event for us," Blaney said. "I grew up watching Dad run that race for many years in Charlotte, and I've been fortunate to be part of it for so many years."
Time will tell if Sunday is the day Blaney adds his name to the list of winners of the Coca-Cola 600. Viewers can catch all of the action on Fox at 6 p.m. ET. It's going to be a good one.
