After Denny Hamlin’s large win within the Dover All-Star Race, NASCAR heads residence to Charlotte, North Carolina, for one in every of its most prestigious races on the calendar — the 67th working of the Coca-Cola 600.
On this information, you could find all the data you want to be prepared for 600 miles of racing within the coronary heart of NASCAR:
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Charlotte Motor Speedway Observe Specs and Origins
Observe Size: 1.5 milesBanking within the corners: 24 degreesBanking on the frontstretch/backstretch: 5 degreesFrontstretch size: 1,980 feetBackstretch size: 1,500 ft
Charlotte Motor Speedway was constructed in 1959 and formally opened on June 15, 1960. Legendary observe promoter Bruton Smith partnered with pioneer inventory automobile racer Curtis Turner to construct the speedway (after some back-and-forth). You see, Smith and Turner had been engaged on rival tasks on the time, however when Smith’s associate John William Propst Jr. pulled again resulting from well being considerations, he sought an alliance with Turner. Properly, Turner refused. However as Turner in the end struggled to search out the required funds, a partnership with Smith lastly got here to fruition and Charlotte Motor Speedway was born. Bruton’s son Marcus now owns the observe by Speedway Motorsports Inc.
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Why Charlotte Motor Speedway is particular to the NASCAR worldGeneral view
Common view
The Coca-Cola 600 is a particular occasion for a number of causes. In fact, it’s NASCAR’s longest race, and it takes place on Memorial Day Weekend, with the 600 embracing that reality and honoring the fallen in numerous methods all through throughout the weekend. Each automobile will carry the identify of a fallen soldier on their windshield banner, placing apart their very own identify for the race.
However what makes the 600 really particular to NASCAR is the observe itself — Charlotte Motor Speedway. It resides within the coronary heart of NASCAR nation. Most race outlets are just some miles away, and nearly all of drivers and workforce members reside there. It is a true homecoming for a sport that has one of the grueling schedules possible with 38 weeks of racing and minimal off-weekends. The observe shall be filled with not simply followers, however the household and mates of all those that make a dwelling working in NASCAR all 12 months lengthy. Some drivers even put the Coke 600 above the Daytona 500 when requested which race they wish to win probably the most.
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Full 2026 Coke 600 Weekend ScheduleChase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
All three nationwide divisions shall be racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway throughout Memorial Day Weekend
Friday, Might 22
3:30pm EST — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence observe — FOX SPORTS 2
4:35pm EST — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence qualifying — FOX SPORTS 2
7:30pm EST — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Sequence race — FOX SPORTS 1
Saturday, Might 23
11:00am EST — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence observe — CW APP
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12:05pm EST — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence observe — CW APP
1:30pm EST — NASCAR Cup Sequence observe — PRIME VIDEO
2:40pm EST — NASCAR Cup Sequence qualifying — PRIME VIDEO
Sunday, Might 24
6pm EST — NASCAR Cup Sequence race (400 laps / 600 miles) — PRIME VIDEO
Vital Story Strains to Observe and Drivers to WatchRoss Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
The largest factors haul of the 12 months: With the brand new Chase format, factors are extra essential than they have been in effectively over a decade. Factors racing is actually again and since the Coke 600 is 100 miles longer than another race, NASCAR added an additional stage. So, there shall be 4 levels, which suggests much more factors to gather. It’s potential to attain as much as 86 factors on this weekend’s 600 (Win=55; Three stage wins=30; Quickest lap=1). The one race that may match that’s the Daytona 500, and that is provided that you possibly can rely the Duels in with the massive present. Drivers shall be doing all the things they will to stack these factors this weekend, and anticipate large shakeups within the standings due to it.
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Midway by the common season: Talking of the factors, the Coke 600 formally marks the midway level of the common season, as it’s the thirteenth of 26 races earlier than the Chase begins. The battle across the cut-line is fierce, and now sits on the bubble after an enormous win at Watkins Glen launched him up the standings. However he has some formidable names proper behind him, together with Logano, Briscoe, and Chastain.
Katherine Legge takes on the Double: Legge is hoping to make some historical past of her personal this weekend as she takes on the uncommon Indy 500-Coke 600 Double. She is going to begin twenty sixth within the one hundred and tenth working of the Indianapolis 500, and after hopefully finishing all 200 laps, she is going to fly to Charlotte to make her first look within the Coca-Cola 600. If she does so, Legge will turn out to be simply the sixth driver in historical past to run each races on the identical day. The others are Kyle Larson, Kurt Busch, Tony Stewart, Robby Gordon, and John Andretti. She can even be the primary non-American and first lady to try the Double, in addition to being the oldest by a couple of decade.
Who has the long-run pace: Pay shut consideration to the pace charts in observe, and we do not imply single-lap speeds. NASCAR’s longest race usually has lengthy runs, and the drivers with the perfect tempo after the tires have had time to put on are possible your favorites on Sunday night time. The important thing classes to maintain an eye fixed on shall be 20, 25, and 30-lap runs.
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The primary race again on Prime Video: The NASCAR on FOX leg of the 2026 Cup season is over, and the highest degree of NASCAR heads again to streaming and Prime Video for 5 weeks. The sales space will once more characteristic Adam Alexander because the play-by-play announcer, with each and Steve Letarte becoming a member of him within the sales space as race analysts.
Will be capable to go back-to-back: Final 12 months, Chastain pulled off an unprecedented drive. Beginning final (fortieth), and in a backup automobile, he ripped by the pack, and was the primary driver to ever win the Coke 600 from that deep within the discipline by passing with just some laps to go. Nevertheless, Chastain has not been to Victory Lane since that night time. His teammate simply received the newest points-paying race on the Glen, so perhaps Trackhouse can hold the momentum rolling. No driver has received back-to-back Coke 600s since did so in 2005. However earlier than Chastain can take into consideration smashing one other watermelon, the workforce should step up as Trackhouse has struggled for tempo in most races early within the 2026 season. Whether or not they win or not, Charlotte shall be a real measuring stick for the place the workforce is at proper now.
Can safe one other crown jewel win: 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan has been in Victory Lane 5 instances already this 12 months, as Reddick has dominated the Cup Sequence. The motive force of the No. 45 Toyota has a very absurd lead within the factors, however what he does not have is a Coke 600 ring. After profitable the season-opening Daytona 500, he may turn out to be the primary driver to win each in the identical season since did it in 1997.
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using a wave of momentum: After a dominant win within the All-Star Race, Hamlin’s solely annoyance was that the victory did not rely in the direction of his official win tally. It is a stat is conscious about, and with how sturdy Toyotas have been up to now this 12 months, Charlotte is an ideal place for him to earn his 62nd profession win. He is already a confirmed winner within the Coke 600 as effectively, taking the checkered flag there in 2022.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Stat Leaders Amongst Energetic DriversWilliam Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Most wins: (2)
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Most poles: Denny Hamlin & (3)
Most begins: Kyle Busch (37)
Most high fives: Kyle Busch (16)
Most high tens: Kyle Busch (22)
Most laps led: Kyle Busch (1487)
Finest common end: Tyler Reddick (10.3)
Finest common begin: William Byron (5.3)
Most lead lap finishes: Denny Hamlin (27 of 34 begins)
Notable Coca-Cola 600 Information (All-Time)Darrell Waltrip on the NASCAR Corridor of Fame
Darrell Waltrip on the NASCAR Corridor of Fame
Most Coke 600 wins all-time: Darrell Waltrip – 5 (1978, 1979, 1985, 1988, 1989)
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The bottom beginning place by a Coke 600 winner: Ross Chastain – fortieth (2025)
Youngest Coke 600 pole-sitter: William Byron – 21yrs outdated (2019)
Youngest Coke 600 race starter: — 18yrs outdated (2025)
Youngest Coke 600 race winner: Jeff Gordon — 22yrs outdated (1994)
Inaugural Coke 600 race winner: Joe Lee Johnson (1960)
Most Coke 600 wins in succession: Jimmie Johnson – 3 (2003, 2004, 2005)
Coke 600 race time file: . — 3hrs:44min:5s / 160.655 mph (2016)
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Most laps led by Coke 600 race winner: Martin Truex Jr. — 392 of 400 laps (2016)
What number of first-time winners: Seven (Most just lately with in 2017)
Most wins by workforce: — 12 (Most just lately with , 2021)
Most wins by producer: Chevrolet — 36 (Most just lately with Ross Chastain in 2025)
Closest Coke 600 end ever: 0.027s (Jimmie Johnson over in 2005)
Each driver to earn first Cup win within the Coca-Cola 600Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports in victory lane
Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports in victory lane
NASCAR’s longest race has a means of serving as a platform for future stars, and 4 NASCAR Corridor of Famers earned their first Cup win on this prestigious occasion
2017: Austin Dillon — Went on to additionally win Daytona 500, at present holds six profession wins
2009:
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