Yao Ming decided to end his season with the Houston Rockets a bit early, in order to make sure he would be fully ready for the Olympics. It appears he's in full promotional mode for the event, as he headed to North Carolina over the weekend to hock Coca-Cola via a NASCAR event. Yao was obviously excited to be there:The Coca-Cola 600 is my first NASCAR race and it's been awesome to meet the drivers, change a few tires and feel the passion of the fans," said Yao. "It was also great to share the new Coca-Cola Olympic cans with NASCAR fans and drivers. By bringing together NASCAR and the Olympics I know we've definitely 'Connected with the World Over a Coke' today."
Only three product mentions, Yao? The marketing folks must be slipping. Anyway, Yao has to be the tallest pit crew member in history, right? And I love this photo where he doesn't seem to have any idea where to start with those tires. A few more photos of Yao at the speedway, after the jump.
[via TrueHoop]
[Photo credit: Streeter Lecka, Getty Images]
