After Denny Hamlin’s massive win within the Dover All-Star Race, NASCAR heads residence to Charlotte, North Carolina, for considered one of its most prestigious races on the calendar — the 67th operating of the Coca-Cola 600.
On this information, you could find all the knowledge it’s essential be prepared for 600 miles of racing within the coronary heart of NASCAR:
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 toes
Charlotte Motor Speedway was constructed in 1959 and formally opened on June 15, 1960. Legendary observe promoter Bruton Smith partnered with pioneer inventory automotive racer Curtis Turner to construct the speedway (after some back-and-forth). You see, Smith and Turner have been engaged on rival initiatives on the time, however when Smith’s accomplice John William Propst Jr. pulled again as a consequence of well being issues, he sought an alliance with Turner. Effectively, Turner refused. However as Turner in the end struggled to search out the mandatory funds, a partnership with Smith lastly got here to fruition and Charlotte Motor Speedway was born. Bruton’s son Marcus now owns the observe via Speedway Motorsports Inc.
Why Charlotte Motor Speedway is particular to the NASCAR world
Normal view
Picture by: Logan Riely / Getty Pictures
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 truth and honoring the fallen in numerous methods all through throughout the weekend. Each automotive will carry the title of a fallen soldier on their windshield banner, placing apart their very own title 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 retailers are just some miles away, and nearly all of drivers and group members stay there. It is a true homecoming for a sport that has one of the grueling schedules conceivable with 38 weeks of racing and minimal off-weekends. The observe might be full of not simply followers, however the household and pals of all those that make a residing working in NASCAR all yr lengthy. Some drivers even put the Coke 600 above the Daytona 500 when requested which race they wish to win essentially the most.
Full 2026 Coke 600 Weekend Schedule
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Picture by: Logan Riely / Getty Pictures
All three nationwide divisions might be racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway throughout Memorial Day Weekend
Friday, Could 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, Could 23
11:00am EST — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Sequence observe — CW APP
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, Could 24
6pm EST — NASCAR Cup Sequence race (400 laps / 600 miles) — PRIME VIDEO
Vital Story Strains to Observe and Drivers to Watch
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Picture by: David Jensen / Getty Pictures
The largest factors haul of the yr: With the brand new Chase format, factors are extra essential than they have been in properly over a decade. Factors racing is actually again and since the Coke 600 is 100 miles longer than every other race, NASCAR added an additional stage. So, there might be 4 phases, which implies much more factors to gather. It’s attainable 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 depend the Duels in with the massive present. Drivers might be doing the whole lot they’ll to stack these factors this weekend, and count on massive shakeups within the standings due to it.
Midway via 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 Shane van Gisbergen 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 operating 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 grow 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 few decade.
Who has the long-run velocity: Pay shut consideration to the velocity charts in observe, and we do not imply single-lap speeds. NASCAR’s longest race typically has lengthy runs, and the drivers with the most effective tempo after the tires have had time to put on are probably your favorites on Sunday evening. The important thing classes to maintain an eye fixed on might be 20, 25, and 30-lap runs.
The primary race again on Prime Video: The NASCAR on FOX leg of the 2026 Cup season is over, and the highest stage of NASCAR heads again to streaming and Prime Video for 5 weeks. The sales space will once more function Adam Alexander because the play-by-play announcer, with each Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte becoming a member of him within the sales space as race analysts.
Will Ross Chastain be capable to go back-to-back: Final yr, Chastain pulled off an unprecedented drive. Beginning final (fortieth), and in a backup automotive, he ripped via the pack, and was the primary driver to ever win the Coke 600 from that deep within the discipline by passing William Byron with just some laps to go. Nonetheless, Chastain has not been to Victory Lane since that evening. His teammate simply gained the latest points-paying race on the Glen, so possibly Trackhouse can hold the momentum rolling. No driver has gained back-to-back Coke 600s since Jimmie Johnson did so in 2005. However earlier than Chastain can take into consideration smashing one other watermelon, the group must step up as Trackhouse has struggled for tempo in most races early within the 2026 season. Whether or not they win or not, Charlotte might be a real measuring stick for the place the group is at proper now.
Can Tyler Reddick safe one other crown jewel win: 23XI co-owner Michael Jordan has been in Victory Lane 5 instances already this yr, 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 successful the season-opening Daytona 500, he might grow to be the primary driver to win each in the identical season since Jeff Gordon did it in 1997.
Denny Hamlin driving a wave of momentum: After a dominant win within the All-Star Race, Hamlin’s solely annoyance was that the victory did not depend in the direction of his official win tally. It is a stat is aware of, and with how robust Toyotas have been up to now this yr, Charlotte is an ideal place for him to earn his 62nd profession win. He is already a confirmed winner within the Coke 600 as properly, taking the checkered flag there in 2022.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Stat Leaders Amongst Energetic Drivers
William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Picture by: Logan Riely / Getty Pictures
Most wins: Brad Keselowski (2)
Most poles: Denny Hamlin & Kyle Busch (3)
Most begins: Kyle Busch (37)
Most prime fives: Kyle Busch (16)
Most prime 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 Data (All-Time)
Darrell Waltrip on the NASCAR Corridor of Fame
Picture by: Getty Pictures
Most Coke 600 wins all-time: Darrell Waltrip – 5 (1978, 1979, 1985, 1988, 1989)
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: Connor Zilisch — 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 document: Martin Truex Jr. — 3hrs:44min:5s / 160.655 mph (2016)
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 Austin Dillon in 2017)
Most wins by group: Hendrick Motorsports — 12 (Most just lately with Kyle Larson, 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 Bobby Labonte in 2005)
Each driver to earn first Cup win within the Coca-Cola 600
Jeff Gordon, Hendrick Motorsports in victory lane
Picture by: Getty Pictures
NASCAR’s longest race has a approach 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, presently holds six profession wins
2009: David Reutimann — One among two Cup wins, and Toyota’s first within the Coke 600
2007: Casey Mears — Lone victory on the Cup stage, now approaching 500 profession begins
2000: Matt Kenseth — Went on to grow to be 2003 Cup champion and Corridor of Famer
1995: Bobby Labonte — Went on to grow to be 2000 Cup champion and Corridor of Famer
1994: Jeff Gordon — Went on to grow to be 4x Cup champion and Corridor of Famer
1961: David Pearson — Went on to grow to be 3x Cup champion and Corridor of Famer
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