The wife of Republican presidential candidate John McCain will be the honorary race director at the NASCAR Bank of America 500.

McCain's campaign said Friday that Cindy McCain will participate in the Saturday evening event at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord. It's the first time she or her husband have made a public appearance in North Carolina since the May primary.

The McCains frequently visit NASCAR events. The two attended the Coca-Cola 600 at the speedway near Charlotte last year.

McCain has recently started to increase campaign operations in North Carolina. His running mate, Sarah Palin, appeared in Greenville earlier this week.

Democratic rival, Barack Obama, has competed heavily in North Carolina in a bid to win a state that hasn't gone to the Democrats in more than three decades.