Associated Press Published

W.Va. Senate President to be Coca Cola 600 Honorary Starter

Cole.jpg

West Virginia Senate President Bill Cole will be the honorary starter for the Coca Cola 600 NASCAR race this weekend in Charlotte, North Carolina.

At the Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday, the Mercer County Republican will be honored at a pre-race event, attend the official drivers meeting, address a crowd of nearly 100,000, participate in the pre-race spectacular and present the trophy to the winning driver.

Gov. Earl Ray Tomblin served as honorary starter for the race in 2012. U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin filled the same role in 2006 when he was governor. State Department of Veterans Assistance Secretary Rick Thompson performed the duty when he was House speaker in 2008.