All access: Austin Dillon visits Fort Bragg

Defending Coca-Cola 600 winner Austin Dillon and members of the No. 3 Richard Childress Racing pit crew visited Fort Bragg on Thursday as a preview of Charlotte Motor Speedway's pre-race Salute to the Troops. Dillon and his crew met with soldiers, tested out new military vehicles, took part in rappel wall exercises and witnessed an infantry squad demonstration. Scroll through for exclusive photos of his visit.

As part of the visit, Dillon unveiled his No. 3 Coca-Cola Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. The event was part of Charlotte Motor Speedway’s 'Mission 600,' a series of interactive, educational visits for some of NASCAR's top drivers to regional military bases representing all five branches of the U.S. Armed Forces.

NASCAR driver Austin Dillon trains for rappelling at Fort Bragg on Thursday ...

... and his crew got in on the action, too.

'These guys have nerves of steel, man,' Dillon said. 'It's awesome seeing what they do for a living and how they do it to protect our freedom. It's a totally different activity from what I do, but it's intense and it keeps the adrenaline pumping.'

Dillon and pit crew members learn rappelling techniques from members of The DeGlopper Air Assault School.

Dillon and pit crew members learn rappelling techniques from members of The DeGlopper Air Assault School.

Dillon looks as locked in here as he does behind the wheel.

Members of The DeGlopper Air Assault School at Fort Bragg demonstrated rappelling techniques. Hold on tight!

Brig. Gen. Xavier Brunson, right, welcomes Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President Greg Walter to Fort Bragg.

Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President Greg Walter presents a commemorative U.S. Army flag to Brig. Gen. Xavier Brunson.

Brig. Gen. Xavier Brunson presents a commemorative coin honoring the 100th anniversary of Fort Bragg to Charlotte Motor Speedway Executive Vice President Greg Walter and NASCAR driver Austin Dillon on Thursday.

Dillon and his pit crew join in with members of the XVIII Airborne Corps.

A meeting of the minds.

Tickets for the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race and the Coca-Cola 600 weekend are available here.