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After Denny Hamlin’s massive win within the Dover All-Star Race, NASCAR heads residence to Charlotte, North Carolina, for one among its most prestigious races on the calendar — the 67th working of the Coca-Cola 600.
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On this information, you’ll find all the data it’s essential be prepared for 600 miles of racing within the coronary heart of NASCAR:
Charlotte Motor Speedway Monitor Specs and Origins
Monitor 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 monitor 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 tasks on the time, however when Smith’s companion John William Propst Jr. pulled again because of well being considerations, he sought an alliance with Turner. Effectively, Turner refused. However as Turner finally 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 monitor by way of 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 truth and honoring the fallen in numerous methods all through through the weekend. Each automotive 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 monitor itself — Charlotte Motor Speedway. It resides within the coronary heart of NASCAR nation. Most race outlets are just some miles away, and the vast majority of drivers and workforce members stay there. It is a true homecoming for a sport that has some of the grueling schedules possible with 38 weeks of racing and minimal off-weekends. The monitor will likely be filled with 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.
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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 will likely be racing at Charlotte Motor Speedway throughout Memorial Day Weekend
Friday, Might 22
3:30pm EST — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Collection apply — FOX SPORTS 2
4:35pm EST — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Collection qualifying — FOX SPORTS 2
7:30pm EST — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Collection race — FOX SPORTS 1
Saturday, Might 23
11:00am EST — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Collection apply — CW APP
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12:05pm EST — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Collection apply — CW APP
1:30pm EST — NASCAR Cup Collection apply — PRIME VIDEO
2:40pm EST — NASCAR Cup Collection qualifying — PRIME VIDEO
Sunday, Might 24
6pm EST — NASCAR Cup Collection race (400 laps / 600 miles) — PRIME VIDEO
Essential Story Strains to Comply with and Drivers to WatchRoss Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
The largest factors haul of the yr: With the brand new Chase format, factors are extra vital than they have been in nicely over a decade. Factors racing is really again and since the Coke 600 is 100 miles longer than some other race, NASCAR added an additional stage. So, there will likely be 4 phases, which implies 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 may depend the Duels in with the large present. Drivers will likely be doing every thing they will to stack these factors this weekend, and count on massive shakeups within the standings due to it.
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Midway by way of 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 a 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 into 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 may 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 velocity: Pay shut consideration to the velocity charts in apply, 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 night time. The important thing classes to maintain an eye fixed on will likely 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 stage 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 yr, Chastain pulled off an unprecedented drive. Beginning final (fortieth), and in a backup automotive, he ripped by way of 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 latest points-paying race on the Glen, so possibly 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 will likely 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 yr, as Reddick has dominated the Cup Collection. The motive force of the No. 45 Toyota has a really absurd lead within the factors, however what he would not have is a Coke 600 ring. After successful the season-opening Daytona 500, he may turn into the primary driver to win each in the identical season since did it in 1997.
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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 nicely, taking the checkered flag there in 2022.
Charlotte Motor Speedway Stat Leaders Amongst Lively 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 previous (2019)
Youngest Coke 600 race starter: — 18yrs previous (2025)
Youngest Coke 600 race winner: Jeff Gordon — 22yrs previous (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 report: . — 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 not too long ago with in 2017)
Most wins by workforce: — 12 (Most not too long ago with , 2021)
Most wins by producer: Chevrolet — 36 (Most not too long ago 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 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, at present holds six profession wins
2009:
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