NASCAR Race Mom: Interesting Facts Re: NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600

Sunday, May 28, 2017

Interesting Facts Re: NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600

Interesting Facts about the NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600

Getting Ready for NASCAR's Longest Race of the Year

View Of Charlotte Motor Speedway from Denny Hamlin’s Xfinity Pitbox

Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

Interesting Facts about the NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600

Next Race: Coca-Cola 600
The Place: Charlotte Motor Speedway
The Date: Sunday, May 28
The Time: 6 p.m. ET
TV: FOX, 5:30 p.m. ET
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 600 miles (400 laps);

Stage 1 (Ends on lap 100),
Stage 2 (Ends on lap 200),
Stage 3 (Ends on lap 300),
Final Stage (Ends on lap 400)

Construction began on Charlotte Motor Speedway (CMS) in 1959. The track’s first Monster Energy NASCAR Cup race was held on June 19, 1960 – won by Joe Lee Johnson. The track was repaved midseason in 1994. The track name changed from Charlotte Motor Speedway to Lowe’s Motor Speedway in 1999.

It changed back to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the 2010 season. It was re-paved again before the 2006 season. There have been 116 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series points races at Charlotte Motor Speedway, two races per year since the track opened in 1960. In 1961, there were two 100-mile qualifying points races held the week before the May race. The first six fall races at Charlotte were 400-mile events (1960-65).

Today's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway will feature a fourth stage. Each stage will last 100 laps. Stage 1 will end on Lap 100, Stage 2 on Lap 200, Stage 3 on Lap 300 and Stage 4 on Lap 400.

"The stage racing format is delivering more dramatic moments over an entire race, fueling tremendous racing action this season," said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president and chief racing development officer. "With a fourth stage added to the Coca-Cola 600, the historic event will have another layer of strategy for teams, and even more excitement within the race for fans."

Speedway Motorsports, Inc. President and Chief Operating Officer Marcus Smith offered similar commentary.

"For 58 years, the Coca-Cola 600 has been a crown jewel on the NASCAR circuit because it presents unique challenges that don't exist in any other race. The distance is greater. The test of endurance is greater. The challenge of adjusting to the track surface from hot to cool puts more pressure on crew chiefs and pit crews," he said. "It's only fitting that teams have an opportunity to be rewarded for the extra effort required to win at the 600. An additional stage win and that extra playoff point in May could be critical for playoff success in the fall."

Martin Truex Jr. broke records in last years' Coca Cola 600 victory. Truex Jr., the driver of the No. 78 Furniture Row Toyota set new standards for domination. He led 392 of 400 laps, most ever in NASCAR's longest Sprint Cup Series race. He spent 588 of 600 miles at the front of the field, most ever in a single race in NASCAR history. Martin Truex Jr. will start today's race from eighth.

You are now informed and ready for NASCAR's longest race . . . the Coca Cola 600. Hope to see you there!!!

Special tires to support our troops this weekend! #CocaCola600 pic.twitter.com/BPpaMKFTTd
— CharlotteMotorSpdwy (@CLTMotorSpdwy) May 25, 2017

Retweet to congratulate @KevinHarvick on his #CocaCola600 pole!

☝️: https://t.co/xdL2JV0bGp pic.twitter.com/Xi5bGxYOJw
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) May 26, 2017