Ahead of the Aug. 18 release of his movie Logan Lucky, actor Channing Tatum has been announced as the grand marshal for the Coca-Cola 600.
Tatum, known for his roles in 21 Jump Street, Magic Mike and Hail, Caesar!, will give the command to start engines for the May 28 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Logan Lucky, directed by Steven Soderbergh, portrays a family that attempts a heist at Charlotte Motor Speedway during the Coke 600. It also stars Daniel Craig (Skyfall, The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) and Adam Driver (Star Wars: The Force Awakens).
The Coke 600 will also be preceded by a “Salute To America’s Armed Forces” spectacular.
The 20-minute show will be performed by 600 members of the 82nd Airborne division from Fort Bragg with servicemen and women using Humvees, Howitzers, a HIMARS rocket launcher, a M777 Howitzer and a RAZOR combat vehicle.
Three UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters will buzz the track prior to the National Anthem, performed by the 82nd Airborne Chorus Group. Then the traditional fly over will be conducted by four F-16 fighter jets from Seymour Johnson Air Force Base.
The Fort Bragg Firing Squad will also engage in a 21-gun salute.
Here’s what else will be included in pre-race ceremonies:
- “God Bless the U.S.A.” by Lee Greenwood
- “Amazing Grace” by the Charlotte Fire Department Fire Band
- The State of Freedom Address by U.S. Army MSG Cedric King
- Presentation of Colors by the U.S. All Army Color Guard
- “God Bless America” by the USO Show Troupes
- Invocation by Harold Frank
Below is a video of a military demonstration prior to the 2015 Coke 600.