Atlanta Brisket

INGREDIENTS

• 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
• 1 can (8 ounces) salt-free tomato sauce
• 2 cups Coca-Cola marinade, reserved from above
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup tomato ketchup
• 5 pounds fresh beef brisket, trimmed of excess fat
• 1 envelope dry onion soup mix (from a 2-ounce package)
• 2 bottles (16.5 ounces each) Coca-Cola (not Diet Coke)
• 3 large yellow onions, halved lengthwise and each half sliced about 3/8 inch thick
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• 3 large whole bay leaves (preferably fresh)