CONCORD, N.C. _ Bubba Wallace was amazed at the size of Fort Bragg.
"Massive," Wallace said in describing the 251-square-mile military base outside of Fayetteville during a visit earlier this month. "It felt like an hour's drive to get to our appearance on the other side of the (air) strip."
Wallace, the driver of Richard Petty Motorsports' No. 43 Ford, was one of five NASCAR drivers who toured and visited regional military bases as part of the buildup for Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Actually, the drivers _ Wallace, Kurt Busch, Alex Bowman, Brad Keselowski and Austin Dillon _ did a lot more than just stroll around and watch during what CMS termed "Mission 600." They each took part in some of the day-to-day operations and drills at each of the bases _ one for each of the military's five branches _ Camp Lejeune (Marines), Fort Bragg (Army), Wrightsville Beach (Coast Guard), Seymour Johnson Air Force Base and Naval Station Norfolk (Va.). Wallace visited Seymour Johnson as part of the speedway operation and Camp Lejeune as a sponsor appearance.
"It was a really good time to hang out with the men and women who fight for our country and our freedom," Wallace said.
