CHARLOTTE, N.C. - The tradition continues at the 2008 Coca-Cola 600, with a patriotic tribute to America’s fighting men and women and distinguished high profile political figures serving as race officials.

United States Senator Elizabeth Dole (R-NC) has named Honorary Race Director for the Memorial Day weekend NEXTEL Cup event at the famed Lowe’s Motor Speedway and West Virginia Speaker of the House Rick Thompson (D-WV) will serve as Honorary Starter.

“We are honored to have such distinguished American leaders like Senator Dole and Speaker Thompson serve as race officials for this year’s Coca-Cola 600,” said Coca-Cola Consolidated spokesman Lauren Steele. “All of us at Coca-Cola join NASCAR fans across the nation in expressing our thanks and support for the members of the United States Armed Forces who are serving to protect our freedoms in Iraq, Afghanistan and throughout the world. It is only appropriate on Memorial Day weekend that we pay a special tribute to America’s military.”

As race officials, Senator Dole and Speaker Thompson will be honored at a VIP pre-race event, attend the official drivers meeting, address the crowd of nearly 200,000 fans, participate in the pre-race spectacular and present the trophy in Victory Lane. As Honorary Race Director, Senator Dole will ride in the official pace car while Speaker Thompson, as Honorary Starter, will wave the green flag over the 43-car field to start the longest NASCAR race and one of the largest sporting events in the world.

Senator Dole has a distinguished record of public service and is one of the most accomplished and admired women in the world. A native of Salisbury, North Carolina, she is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Duke University and earned a law and masters degrees at Harvard University. Her extensive resume of public service includes serving in the cabinets of two US presidents. She also served as President of the American Red Cross before the voters of North Carolina elected her to the United States Senate in 2002. She is married to the former US Senate Majority Leader and 1996 GOP presidential nominee Bob Dole.

Rick Thompson is truly an example of the American Dream come to life. Growing up in the southern coalfields of West Virginia, he experienced much hardship. However, through hard work and perseverance, he has risen to the position of Speaker of the House of Delegates, the third highest ranking elected official in the State. Rick has served four terms in the House and was elected from among his fellow members to the Speakership in 2007. He also served in the United States Army. He is an avid sportsman and dedicated family man. He is married to Beth Chambers Thompson and has four children and one grandchild.

Coca-Cola is the Official Sparkling Beverage of NASCAR and the sponsor of the Coca-Cola 600. The Coca-Cola Racing Family includes top drivers Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton, Elliott Sadler, Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Mark Martin, Jamie McMurray, Kyle Petty, Tony Stewart and Michael Waltrip.

Tickets for the Coca-Cola 600 can be obtained by calling the speedway ticket office at 1-800-455-FANS or online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com.