Donald Trump is in town to attend the prestigious Coca-Cola 600 after sending fans into a frenzy by flying his private plane over the runway in North Carolina.
The annual 600-mile NASCAR Cup Series points race will take place Sunday night, and Charlotte Motor Speedway will host the showpiece as usual over Memorial Day weekend.
And before it began at 6 p.m. ET, Trump’s private plane was seen flying over the field as he made his grand arrival.
Fans went wild as the former US president’s plane, known as ‘Trump Force One’, flew overhead ahead of Sunday’s event.
Trump, who is seeking to be president again in 2024, was repeatedly booed during a speech at the Libertarian Party National Convention on Saturday night.
Donald Trump is in town for the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motorway Speedway
When he took the stage, many booed him while some fans wearing caps and T-shirts that said “Make America Great” cheered and chanted “USA!” USA!’
It was a rare moment in which Trump came face to face with outspoken detractors, highly unusual for someone used to hosting rallies in front of always adoring crowds.
Libertarians, who prioritize small government and individual freedoms, are often skeptical of the 77-year-old, and his invitation to address the convention has divided the party.
Trump tried to downplay this by referring to the four criminal charges against him and joking: “If I wasn’t a libertarian before, I sure am one now.”
Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 follows the Formula One Grand Prix in Monaco and the Indy500, which got off to a nightmare start when several cars crashed in the first corner.
It all started when rookie Tom Blomqvist of Great Britain in the No. 66 Meyer Shank machine lost control of his car on the grass pad on the inside of the first turn and spun.
Trump attends 600-mile NASCAR race after flying his plane over the track
The former US president’s personal plane is called “Trump Force One”
He was booed by members of the crowd at a libertarian convention Saturday night.
However, a delay to the event in Indianapolis due to a storm ended Larson’s hopes of accomplishing the historic feat.
He spun directly at 2022 Indy 500 winner and former Formula 1 driver Marcus Ericsson in the No. 28 Andretti, who had no time to avoid the crash and was immediately out of the race.
Kyle Larson, the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion, was attempting to become the fifth driver in history to attempt the Indianapolis-Charlotte double by competing in the Indy 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day.
“It looks like there’s going to be that window where I guess we’ll be able to get him dry to race today,” Larson said earlier in the day. “But obviously that affects things for the 600. It’s still the weather.” You don’t know exactly what that’s going to be like.
“But the worst case scenario is happening, which is a shame. Today we will go out on track in something.