Carrie Underwood triple-platinum recording artist, speeds into the Coca-Cola 600

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- NASCAR fans have one more reason to cheer this Memorial Day weekend as 19 Recordings/Arista recording artist Carrie Underwood, whose hit single "Jesus, Take the Wheel" spent six consecutive weeks at #1 on the Hot Country Songs Chart, will headline the pre-race show at the Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

"With the excitement surrounding her triple-platinum debut album, Carrie Underwood will provide yet another reason for race fans to enjoy the Coca-Cola 600," said Beatriz Perez, vice president media, sports and entertainment, Coca-Cola North America.

"The Coca-Cola 600 has developed a reputation for spectacular pre-race shows and celebrity participation. With Carrie Underwood performing at this year's Coca-Cola 600, it will again be a spectacular pre-race show," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president of Lowe's Motor Speedway. "We'll have star power on the stage and the track as the Coca-Cola 600 continues to evolve as one of the world's top sporting events."

Television coverage of the 2006 Coca-Cola 600 is scheduled to begin at 5:00 p.m. EDT on FOX. The race is set to start at 5:40 p.m., and can also be heard on the radio on the Performance Racing Network (PRN).

Carrie Underwood's pre-race performance is included with admission to the Coca-Cola 600. Affordable tickets for the event are still available online at www.lowesmotorspeedway.com or by calling 1-800-455-FANS.

Coca-Cola is the official soft drink of NASCAR and, through its association with tracks and race teams, has been involved in the sport for more than 40 years. The Coca-Cola Racing Family (CCRF), a group of popular NASCAR Nextel Cup Series drivers, includes Greg Biffle, Jeff Burton, 2005 champion Tony Stewart, Kevin Harvick, Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Kyle Petty, Elliott Sadler, Tony Stewart, and Michael Waltrip, as well as former drivers Richard Petty and Ned Jarrett. New additions to the Coca-Cola Racing Family include Mark Martin, Carl Edwards, Denny Hamlin and J.J. Yeley. Members of the CCRF make public appearances and are featured in advertising campaigns, on vending machines, and on packaging and point-of-sale materials. Coca-Cola is the title sponsor of the Coca-Cola 600, held each Memorial Day weekend at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

About The Coca-Cola Company
The Coca-Cola Company is the world's largest beverage company. Along with Coca-Cola, recognized as the world's most valuable brand, the Company markets four of the world's top five soft drink brands, including Diet Coke, Fanta and Sprite, and a wide range of other beverages, including diet and light soft drinks, waters, juices and juice drinks, teas, coffees and sports drinks. Through the world's largest beverage distribution system, consumers in more than 200 countries enjoy the Company's beverages at a rate exceeding 1 billion servings each day. For more information about The Coca-Cola Company, visit www.coca-cola.com.