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Statistical Advance: Analyzing the Coca-Cola 600

Below is a look at the top statistical performers at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, going into the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24 (6 p.m. ET on Prime Video, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).

Charlotte Motor Speedway Stats & Tidbits:
TRACK & RACE SPECIFICS
Season Race No. 13 of 36 (May 24, 2026)
Race Name: Coca-Cola 600
Race Purse: $13,855,363
Track Length: 1.5 Mile Asphalt Paved Oval
Banking/Turns 1 & 2: 24 degrees
Banking/Turns 3 & 4: 24 degrees
Banking/Frontstretch: 5 degrees
Banking/Backstretch: 5 degrees
Frontstretch Length: 1,980 feet
Backstretch Length: 1,500 feet
Race Length: 400 laps / 600 miles
Stage Lengths (all 4): 100 laps each

TRACK QUALIFYING / RACE RECORDS

Track Qualifying Record: Kurt Busch, Chevrolet, 198.771 mph, 27.167 secs. October 9, 2014

Track Race Record (600 miles): Martin Truex Jr., Toyota, 160.655 mph, (03:44:05), May 29, 2016

2025 Charlotte Pole Winner: Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota, 182.852 mph, 29.532 secs., May 24, 2025

2025 Charlotte Race Winner: Ross Chastain. Trackhouse Racing, 135.781 mph, (04:25:08), May 25, 2025

TRACK HISTORY

·       With the success of the inaugural season at Daytona International Speedway many plans were developed around the country to build new tracks. In Charlotte track promoter Bruton Smith and driver/businessmen Curtis Turner each announced plans to build a speedway. They partnered within days of realizing neither plan would succeed if both were built. They settled on the location and length that Turner had selected (Smith’s site was in Pineville, the location of a 1920s board track). Turner was President, Smith General Manager. I

·       In April 1959, they took the unusual step of announcing that the first race would be a 600-mile race on May 29, 1960. Initial financing was secured by selling 300,000 shares at $1 each which was only accomplished after Smith bought radio and newspaper ads to promote the track.

·       Soon after construction started and throughout the process the project was plagued by financial difficulties, winter storms, a faulty drill report that added $500,000 to the cost, problems with the Securities and Exchange Commission and slow ticket sales. Work continued but at a slow pace. By mid-April 1960, no grandstands or track construction had taken place. They were forced to delay the race for three weeks. The June 19 date was only made possible by two bizarre events: 1. Light poles were erected so crews could work two 12-hour shifts and 2. As the paving was nearing completion the contractor ordered work halted until they received overdue payments. They covered the unpaved portion with heavy equipment. Turner got legal advice and had the workers marched away at gunpoint. Then Turner’s brother and driver Bob Welborn jump started a tractor and pushed the equipment out of the way so the paving could be completed. The impossible was accomplished. Despite the many difficulties a new speedway was built in 11 months.

·       The first race was held at a barely completed facility and a freshly paved track that began breaking up as soon as cars started to practice. All cars installed screens to protect grilles and windshields.

·       35,462 witnessed the 60 car field line up three abreast on the 11th anniversary of the first NASCAR Strictly Stock race held on a ¾ mile dirt Charlotte Fairgrounds. The track soon started to claim many cars. Pole sitter Fireball Roberts, Ned Jarrett, Curtis Turner, Joe Weatherly, Tom Pistone, Fred Lorenzen, Marvin Panch, Speedy Thompson and others fell victim to brutal track conditions. With less than 50 laps to go Jack Smith had a lead of over five laps when a piece of metal cut a hole in his fuel tank. Tennessee driver, 1959 Convertible Division champion Joe Lee Johnson then cruised to the win by four laps over second place Johnny Beauchamp.

·       The purse was the sport’s first six-figure payout ($107,000) but the track lost money. In 1961 Smith and Turner resigned and by the end of 1961 the track was placed in Federal receivership. Richard Howard a local businessman and track investor managed the track for the next 15 years until Bruton Smith returned after accumulating enough shares to eventually take control of the track. Bruton soon started an ambitious program of upgrading the track with many innovations including the first-ever condominiums overlooking the track, an office tower, additional suites, additional seating and the latest, a 16,000 square foot video screen.

·       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).

·       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.

·       The track was re-paved again before the 2006 season.

·       In 2018, Charlotte Motor Speedway introduced the road course configuration (ROVAL) and in the process relinquished the track’s second event on the oval configuration effectively creating a new road course track on the schedule – the Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course (ROVAL). The ROVAL was on the schedule from 2018-2025.

·       There have been 127 NASCAR Cup Series points races at Charlotte Motor Speedway (oval), two races per year from when the track opened in 1960 until 2017.

·       Starting in 2018, Charlotte Motor Speedway hosted just one Cup race on the oval configuration per season, with the exclusion of the 2020 season due to the pandemic reschedule the series competed in two races on the oval. The second oval race will return to the schedule in 2026.

STARTS

·       A total of 575 different drivers have competed in at least one NASCAR Cup Series points-paying race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

·       A total of 421 drivers have made more than one NASCAR Cup Series start at Charlotte.

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway with 64.

·       The top five in Cup Series starts (all-time) at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Richard Petty (64), Bill Elliott (62), Ricky Rudd (61), Mark Martin (58), Buddy Baker (57) and Terry Labonte (57).

·       Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in starts at Charlotte Motor Speedway with 37.

·       The top five in Cup Series starts (active) at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Kyle Busch (37), Denny Hamlin (34), Joey Logano (27), Brad Keselowski (26) and Michael McDowell (26)..

·       A total of 65 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have made their first Cup Series career start at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

·       The October 16, 1960 Charlotte race had six drivers making their first start in the NASCAR Cup Series.

·       Three active series drivers have made their first career start at Charlotte Motor Speedway: Kyle Larson (10/12/13), Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (05/29/11) and Jimmie Johnson (10/7/2001).

·       Of the 65 drivers that made their NASCAR Cup Series career debuts at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Bugs Stevens posted the best finish of sixth on May 24, 1970. Stevens had started the race from the 17th position.  

Drivers that made their first NASCAR Cup Series career start at Charlotte Motor Speedway:

Rank First-Time Driver Date Rank First-Time Driver Date Rank First-Time Driver Date
1 Blake Koch 10/12/2013 23 Donny Paul 10/7/1984 45 Butch Hartman 10/16/1966
2 Brian Scott 10/12/2013 24 Jim Sauter 10/5/1980 46 Donnie Allison 10/16/1966
3 Kyle Larson 10/12/2013 25 Mike Miller 10/5/1980 47 George England 10/16/1966
4 Ricky Stenhouse Jr 5/29/2011 26 Billie Harvey 5/25/1980 48 Jack Bowsher 10/16/1966
5 David Reutimann 10/15/2005 27 John Greenwood 5/25/1980 49 Bob Derrington 5/24/1964
6 Brian Vickers 10/11/2003 28 Butch Mock 10/8/1978 50 Doug Cooper 10/13/1963
7 Jason Hedlesky 10/13/2002 29 Glenn Jarrett 10/8/1978 51 Ronnie Bristow 10/13/1963
8 Jimmie Johnson 10/7/2001 30 Tom Sneva 10/9/1977 52 Bruce Brantley 10/14/1962
9 Stuart Kirby 10/7/2001 31 Al Holbert 10/10/1976 53 Red Foote 5/27/1962
10 Dale Earnhardt Jr 5/30/1999 32 Janet Guthrie 5/30/1976 54 Bobby Isaac 5/21/1961
11 Elliott Sadler 5/24/1998 33 Sam Sommers 5/30/1976 55 Buck Fulp 5/21/1961
12 Kevin Lepage 10/5/1997 34 Dale Earnhardt 5/25/1975 56 Gene Stokes 5/21/1961
13 Jeremy Mayfield 10/10/1993 35 Randy Bethea 5/25/1975 57 Bob Barron 10/16/1960
14 Randy Porter 5/24/1992 36 Harry Gant 10/7/1973 58 Charlie Glotzbach 10/16/1960
15 Kerry Teague 10/6/1991 37 Billy Scott 5/27/1973 59 Don O’Dell 10/16/1960
16 Rich Bickle 10/8/1989 38 Charlie Blanton 5/27/1973 60 Friday Hassler 10/16/1960
17 Terry Byers 5/28/1989 39 Peter Gregg 5/27/1973 61 Jerry Roedell 10/16/1960
18 Tracy Leslie 5/28/1989 40 Larry Smith 5/30/1971 62 Wes Morgan 10/16/1960
19 Rob Moroso 10/9/1988 41 Bugs Stevens 5/24/1970 63 Ed Markstellar 6/19/1960
20 Allan Grice 5/24/1987 42 Jim Lineberger 10/12/1969 64 George Tet 6/19/1960
21 Brett Bodine 5/25/1986 43 Don Schissler 10/15/1967 65 Johnny Wolford 6/19/1960
22 Michael Waltrip 5/26/1985 44 Dub Simpson 10/15/1967

Average Finish

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer Fireball Roberts leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a 5.2 in 10 starts.

·       William Byron leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average starting position at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a 5.3 in nine starts.

Top 10 in Average Starting Position at Charlotte Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg Start Races Rank Active Drivers Avg Start Races
1 Fireball Roberts 5.2 10 1 William Byron 5.3 9
2 William Byron 5.3 9 2 Ty Gibbs 9.0 3
3 David Pearson 6.4 46 3 Christopher Bell 9.9 7
4 Joe Weatherly 6.7 9 4 Tyler Reddick 10.9 7
5 Fred Lorenzen 7.1 18 5 Chase Elliott 11.3 14
6 Pete Hamilton 7.2 6 6 Denny Hamlin 11.3 34
7 Paul Goldsmith 7.9 9 7 Kyle Busch 11.9 37
8 Curtis Turner 8.4 9 8 Joey Logano 13.8 27
9 Ty Gibbs 9.0 3 9 Austin Cindric 14.5 4
10 Cale Yarborough 9.5 50 10 Chase Briscoe 15.0 5

POLES

·       A total of 50 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won the pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

·       Fireball Roberts won the inaugural NASCAR Cup Series pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway (World 600) in 1960 with a speed of 133.904 mph in a Pontiac. 

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer David Pearson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Charlotte Motor Speedway with 14 poles (1961, 1972, 1973, 1974 sweep, 1975 sweep, 1976 sweep, 1977 sweep, 1978 sweep, 1982).

·       Of the 50 NASCAR Cup Series Charlotte Motor Speedway pole winners, seven will be active this weekend.

Active Pole Winners (7) Poles Seasons
Denny Hamlin 3 2022, 2017, 2013
Kyle Busch 3 2018, 2014, 2008
Chase Briscoe 1 2025
Ty Gibbs 1 2024
Kyle Larson 1 2021
William Byron 1 2019
Brad Keselowski 1 2011

·       Denny Hamlin (2013, 2017, 2022) and Kyle Busch (2008, 2014, 2018) lead all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in poles at Charlotte Motor Speedway with three each.

·       A total of 14 different drivers have won consecutive poles at Charlotte; Kevin Harvick is the most recent driver to post consecutive poles (2016 Playoffs, 2017 May race) at the 1.5-mile track.  

·       David Pearson holds the record for most consecutive poles at Charlotte with 11-straight from the fall of 1973 through 1978. 

·       Youngest Charlotte Cup pole winner: William Byron (May 26, 2019 – 21 years, 4 months, 27 days)

·       Oldest Charlotte Cup pole winner: Bobby Allison (October 11, 1987 – 49 years, 10 months, 8 days).

·       Nine drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

First-Time Pole Winners at Charlotte Race Date
Ty Gibbs Sunday, May 26, 2024
Aric Almirola Sunday, May 27, 2012
Brett Bodine Sunday, October 7, 1990
Dale Earnhardt Jr Sunday, May 28, 2000
Derrike Cope Sunday, October 4, 1998
Donnie Allison Sunday, May 26, 1968
Jeff Gordon Sunday, October 10, 1993
Ryan Newman Sunday, May 27, 2001
Ward Burton Sunday, October 9, 1994

·       In total 38 different car owners/organizations have won a pole in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

·       Wood Brothers Racing leads the NASCAR Cup Series in poles at Charlotte Motor Speedway with 20 poles among five drivers: Marvin Panch (1963), Cale Yarborough (1967 sweep, 1969), David Pearson (1972, 1973, 1974 sweep, 1975 sweep, 1976 sweep, 1977 sweep, 1978 sweep), Neil Bonnett (1979 sweep, 1981), and Buddy Baker (1983).

·       Five of the 38 total organizations with a NASCAR Cup Series pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway are active this weekend:

Rank Owner Active Organization Charlotte Poles
1 Glen Wood Wood Brothers Racing 20
2 Rick Hendrick Hendrick Motorsports 19
3 Joe Gibbs Joe Gibbs Racing 13
4 Roger Penske Team Penske 8
5 Jack Roush RFK Racing 3

·       The Wood Brothers Racing team holds the track record for the most consecutive Cup Series poles at Charlotte with 13 straight from 1973–1979.

·       Eight different manufacturers have won at least one NASCAR Cup Series pole at Charlotte Motor Speedway, led by Chevrolet with 35 poles, followed by Ford (30), Mercury (14), Dodge (13), Toyota (11), Pontiac (10), Buick (6) and Plymouth (4).

·       Mercury holds the record for the most consecutive poles by an OEM at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Cup Series at 13 straight from 1973-1979.

WINS

·       A total of 57 different NASCAR Cup Series drivers have won at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

·       A total of 30 different drivers have won more than once in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

·       Charlotte Motor Speedway has produced nine different winners in the last nine races on the oval configuration.  

·       The track’s first NASCAR Cup Series race was held on June 19, 1960 and won by Joe Lee Johnson in a Chevrolet driving for car owner Paul McDuffie.

·       Jimmie Johnson leads the NASCAR Cup Series in wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway with eight victories (2003 summer, 2004 sweep, 2005 sweep, 2009 Playoffs, 2014 summer, 2016 Playoffs). 

·       Brad Keselowski leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway with two victories (2013, 2020). 

·       Youngest Charlotte winner: Jeff Gordon (May 29, 1994 – 22 years, 9 months, 25 days).

·       Oldest Charlotte winner: Cale Yarborough (October 6, 1985 – 46 years, 6 months, 9 days).

·       A total of 10 of the 57 NASCAR Cup Series Charlotte Motor Speedway winners are active this weekend.

Active Charlotte Race Winners (10) Wins Seasons
Brad Keselowski 2 2020, 2013
Ross Chastain 1 2025
Christopher Bell 1 2024
Ryan Blaney 1 2023
Denny Hamlin 1 2022
Kyle Larson 1 2021
Chase Elliott 1 2020
Kyle Busch 1 2018
Austin Dillon 1 2017
Joey Logano 1 2015

·       A total of 10 drivers have posted their first career NASCAR Cup Series win at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

First-Time Cup Winners at Charlotte Date
Austin Dillon Sunday, May 28, 2017
David Reutimann Monday, May 25, 2009
Casey Mears Sunday, May 27, 2007
Jamie McMurray Sunday, October 13, 2002
Matt Kenseth Sunday, May 28, 2000
Bobby Labonte Sunday, May 28, 1995
Jeff Gordon Sunday, May 29, 1994
Charlie Glotzbach Sunday, October 20, 1968
Buddy Baker Sunday, October 15, 1967
David Pearson Sunday, May 28, 1961

·       Nine drivers have posted consecutive wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway, including three consecutive by NASCAR Hall of Famer Fred Lorenzen (fall 1964 and both 1965) and four-straight by Jimmie Johnson (2004 and 2005 sweeps).

·       A total of 28 different starting positions on the grid have led to wins in the NASCAR Cup Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

·       The first starting position is the most proficient starting position in the field, producing more winners (19) than any other starting position at Charlotte Motor Speedway – a winning percentage of 14.9%; the most recent was Denny Hamlin in the 2022 Coca-Cola 600.

·       The second starting position is the second-most proficient starting position in the field, producing the second-most winners (17) at Charlotte Motor Speedway – with a winning percentage of 13.3%.

·       A top-five starting position has accounted for 55.56% of the Cup Series wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

·       A top-10 starting position has accounted for 74.6% of the Cup Series wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

NASCAR Cup Series Wins by Starting Positions at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Starting Position Wins Winning % Starting Position Wins Winning %
1 19 14.96% 15 3 2.36%
2 17 13.39% 16 3 2.36%
3 16 12.60% 17 3 2.36%
4 10 7.87% 18 2 1.57%
5 8 6.30% 19 1 0.79%
6 5 3.94% 20 2 1.57%
7 8 6.30% 21 2 1.57%
8 3 2.36% 22 3 2.36%
9 6 4.72% 23 1 0.79%
10 2 1.57% 25 1 0.79%
11 1 0.79% 27 1 0.79%
12 2 1.57% 28 1 0.79%
13 3 2.36% 37 1 0.79%
14 2 1.57% 40 1 0.79%
Stats Winning % Wins
Winning from the First Starting Position: 14.96% 19
Winning from the Front Row: 28.35% 36
Winning from a Top-Five Starting Position: 55.12% 70
Winning from a Top-10 Starting Position: 74.02% 94
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 10: 25.98% 33
Winning After Starting Outside the Top 20: 8.66% 11

·       A total of 12 drivers have won a NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway from the pole or first starting position.

Race Winners From 1st Starting Pos. Wins Seasons
Jimmie Johnson 3 2014, 2009, 2004
Jeff Gordon 3 1998, 1997, 1994
David Pearson 3 1976, 1974 sweep
Fred Lorenzen 2 1965 sweep
Denny Hamlin 1 2022
Kyle Larson 1 2021
Kyle Busch 1 2018
Martin Truex Jr 1 2016
Harry Gant 1 1982
Darrell Waltrip 1 1981
Buddy Baker 1 1973
Charlie Glotzbach 1 1968

·       The two deepest starting positions in the field that a NASCAR Cup Series race winner has started at Charlotte are:

o   37th, by Jimmie Johnson in the 2003 Coca-Cola 600

o   40th, by Ross Chastain in the 2025 Coca-Cola 600

·       A total of 11 races have been won from outside the top-20 (8.66%).

·       Michael McDowell leads the series among active drivers with the most NASCAR Cup Series starts at Charlotte without visiting Victory Lane at 26; followed by AJ Allmendinger (23) and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (21).

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip leads the series in Coca-Cola 600 wins with five victories (1978, 1979, 1985, 1988, 1989).

·       Eight active Cup Series drivers have won the Coca-Cola 600:

Coca-Cola 600 Active Winners Wins Seasons
Ross Chastain 1 2025
Christopher Bell 1 2024
Ryan Blaney 1 2023
Denny Hamlin 1 2022
Kyle Larson 1 2021
Brad Keselowski 1 2020
Kyle Busch 1 2018
Austin Dillon 1 2017

·       A total of 39 different organizations have won a NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

·       Hendrick Motorsports leads the NASCAR Cup Series in victories at Charlotte Motor Speedway with 21 wins among nine drivers: Jimmie Johnson (eight), Jeff Gordon (five), Darrell Waltrip (two), Ken Schrader (one), Terry Labonte (one), Casey Mears (one), Kasey Kahne (one), Chase Elliott (one), and Kyle Larson (one).

·       A total of eight of 39 winning organizations at Charlotte Motor Speedway are entered this weekend.

Active Organizations Wins Seasons
Hendrick Motorsports 21 2021, ’20, ’16, ’14, ’12, ’09, ’07 sweep, ’05 sweep, ’04 sweep, ’03, ’99, ’98, ’97, ’96, ’94, ’89 sweep, ’88
Richard Childress Racing 8 2017, 2013, 2011, 2008, 1993, 1992, 1986 sweep
Joe Gibbs Racing 9 2024, 2022, 2019, 2018, 2015, 2003, 2000, 1995, 1994
RFK Racing 8 2011, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1995, 1992
Wood Brothers Racing 6 1987, 1982, 1974 sweep, 1976, 1960
Team Penske 5 2023, 2020, 2015, 2013, 2010
Trackhouse Racing 1 2025

·       Eight different manufacturers have won in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte; led by Chevrolet with 48 victories; followed by Ford (32), Dodge (15), Toyota (9), Pontiac (8), Mercury (7), Buick (4) and Plymouth (4).

·       The most consecutive wins by a Manufacturer in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway is six straight by Chevrolet from 2003 – 2005.  

ADDITIONAL FINISHING POSITIONS

Runner-Up Finishes:

·       A total of 58 different drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series have finished runner-up at Charlotte Motor Speedway; 27 of 58 have finished runner-up at Charlotte multiple times.

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the Cup Series in runner-up finishes at Charlotte Motor Speedway with nine second-place finishes.

·       Kyle Busch (2010, 2011, 2017, 2022) leads all active drivers in runner-up finishes at Charlotte with four.

Top Five in Runner-Up Finishes at Charlotte Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Runner-Ups Rank Active Drivers Runner-Ups
1 Richard Petty 9 1 Kyle Busch 4
2 Bobby Allison 6 2 Chase Elliott 3
3 Bobby Labonte 6 3 Denny Hamlin 3
4 Cale Yarborough 5 4 William Byron 2
5 Bill Elliott 4 5 Joey Logano 1
Darrell Waltrip 4 Brad Keselowski 1
David Pearson 4
Donnie Allison 4
Harry Gant 4
Kevin Harvick 4
Kyle Busch 4
Matt Kenseth 4
Rusty Wallace 4

Top-Five Finishes:

·       A total of 127 different drivers have finished in the top-five in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway; 87 of the 127 have finished in the top-five multiple times.

·       NASCAR Hall of Famers Richard Petty and Bobby Allison are tied for the series most top-five finishes at Charlotte Motor Speedway with 23 each.

·       Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers with 16 top-five finishes at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Top Five in Top-Five Finishes at Charlotte Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Top Fives Rank Active Drivers Top Fives
1 Bobby Allison 23 1 Kyle Busch 16
2 Richard Petty 23 2 Denny Hamlin 12
3 Darrell Waltrip 19 3 Brad Keselowski 7
4 David Pearson 18 4 Joey Logano 6
5 Mark Martin 18 5 Chase Elliott 5

Top-10 Finishes

·       A total of 220 different drivers have finished in the top-10 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series; 142 of the 220 have posted multiple top 10s.

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer Richard Petty leads the NASCAR Cup Series in top-10 finishes at Charlotte with 31; followed by Darrell Waltrip with 29.

·       Kyle Busch leads all active NASCAR Cup Series drivers in top-10 finishes at Charlotte with 22 each.  

Top Five in Top-10 Finishes at Charlotte Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Top 10s Rank Active Drivers Top 10s
1 Richard Petty 31 1 Kyle Busch 22
2 Darrell Waltrip 29 2 Denny Hamlin 21
3 Ricky Rudd 27 3 Brad Keselowski 12
4 Bobby Allison 26 4 Joey Logano 11
5 David Pearson 26 5 Chase Elliott 8

Average Finish

·       Johnny Beauchamp (two starts) leads the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Charlotte with a 7.0.

·       Tyler Reddick (seven starts) leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in average finishing position at Charlotte with a 10.3.

Top 10 in Average Finishing Position at Charlotte Motor Speedway (All-Time & Active)

Rank All-Time Drivers Avg Finish Races Rank Active Drivers Avg Finish Races
1 Johnny Beauchamp 7.0 2 1 Tyler Reddick 10.3 7
2 Rex White 9.0 10 2 Josh Berry 11.0 2
3 Tyler Reddick 10.3 7 3 Denny Hamlin 12.5 34
4 Don White 10.3 3 4 Christopher Bell 13.1 7
5 Carl Edwards 10.9 24 5 Joey Logano 13.3 27
6 Josh Berry 11.0 2 6 Brad Keselowski 13.6 26
7 Dick Hutcherson 11.2 5 7 William Byron 13.7 9
8 Denny Hamlin 12.5 34 8 Kyle Busch 13.8 37
9 Earl Ross 12.7 3 9 Chase Elliott 14.2 14
10 Davey Allison 12.9 14 10 Chase Briscoe 15.0 5

LAP LEADERS & LEAD CHANGES

·       A total of 193 different drivers have led at least one lap in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

·       NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Allison leads the Cup Series in laps led at Charlotte Motor Speedway with 2,339 laps led in 43 starts.

·       Kyle Busch leads all active drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series in laps led at Charlotte Motor Speedway with 1,487 laps led 37 starts.

·       Martin Truex Jr. holds the record for the most laps led in in a single NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway after he led 392 of the scheduled 400 laps (98%) in the 2016 Coca-Cola 600 – he started from the pole.

·       The fewest laps led by the NASCAR Cup Series race winner at Charlotte Motor Speedway was two laps led – it happened twice – 2017 (Austin Dillion) and 2011 (Kevin Harvick).   

·       The most laps led by a NASCAR Cup Series driver at Charlotte Motor Speedway that did not win was 289 of the scheduled 400 laps (72%) by NASCAR Hall of Famer Junior Johnson on June 2, 1963 – he finished second after starting from the pole.

Top 10 in Laps Led at Charlotte Motor Speedway (All-time)

Rank All-Time Drivers Races Led Completed % Led
1 Bobby Allison 43 2,339 12,493 19%
2 Jimmie Johnson 40 1,936 13,314 15%
3 Richard Petty 64 1,702 18,236 9%
4 David Pearson 46 1,662 12,753 13%
5 Cale Yarborough 50 1,633 13,030 13%
6 Dale Earnhardt 48 1,523 15,370 10%
7 Kyle Busch 37 1,487 12,776 12%
8 Bill Elliott 62 1,337 19,539 7%
9 Buddy Baker 57 1,202 14,017 9%
10 Mark Martin 58 1,185 18,429 6%

Top 10 in Laps Led at Charlotte Motor Speedway (Active)

Rank Active Drivers Races Led Completed % Led
1 Kyle Busch 37 1,487 12,776 12%
2 William Byron 9 485 2,791 17%
3 Denny Hamlin 34 468 11,792 4%
4 Kyle Larson 15 433 5,223 8%
5 Chase Elliott 14 342 4,247 8%
6 Joey Logano 27 340 9,613 4%
7 Brad Keselowski 26 328 8,796 4%
8 Alex Bowman 14 228 4,779 5%
9 Ross Chastain 8 171 2,756 6%
10 Ryan Blaney 15 171 4,726 4%

·       The most different leaders in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is 21 and it occurred on May 29, 2005.  

·       The fewest different leaders in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is three and it has occurred twice: During the qualifying races of 1961.   

·       The fewest different leaders in a NASCAR Cup Series race (not the qualifying races) at Charlotte Motor Speedway is four leaders and it has occurred seven times: Oct. 1962, Oct. 1964, May 1972, Oct. 1991, Oct. 1993, May 2016, May 2018.   

·       The most lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is 54 and it occurred on May 27, 1979.  

·       The fewest lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is two and it occurred during the qualifying races of 1961.   

·       The fewest lead changes in a NASCAR Cup Series race (that is not a qualifying race) at Charlotte Motor Speedway is eight lead changes and it occurred once on October 16, 1960.   

·       In the last 31 Cup races (2007-2025) held at Charlotte Motor Speedway, only two have resulted in a last lap pass for the win: 2022 and 2011.

·       In the last 31 Cup races (2007-2025) held at Charlotte Motor Speedway, seven have resulted in the last pass for the win occurring within five laps to go: 2008, 2009, 2011, 2017, 2019, 2020 and 2022.

FEMALE COMPETITORS

·       Two female drivers have competed at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the NASCAR Cup Series: Janet Guthrie and Danica Patrick.

Driver Starting Position Finishing Position Date
Danica Patrick 12 38 10/8/2017
Danica Patrick 15 25 5/28/2017
Danica Patrick 13 10 10/9/2016
Danica Patrick 19 21 5/29/2016
Danica Patrick 24 19 10/11/2015
Danica Patrick 20 22 5/24/2015
Danica Patrick 14 26 10/11/2014
Danica Patrick 4 39 5/25/2014
Danica Patrick 35 20 10/12/2013
Danica Patrick 24 29 5/26/2013
Danica Patrick 40 30 5/27/2012
Averages 20.0 25.4
Driver Starting Position Finishing Position Date
Janet Guthrie 31 35 10/8/1978
Janet Guthrie 27 9 10/9/1977
Janet Guthrie 26 22 10/10/1976
Janet Guthrie 27 15 5/30/1976
Averages 27.8 20.3

TRACK / EVENT SPECIFIC STATS

·       Since the advent of electronic scoring the closest margin of victory (MOV) in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway is the May 29, 2005, race won by Jimmie Johnson over Bobby Labonte with a Margin of Victory of 0.027 second.

Top Five Closest NASCAR Cup Series Margin of Victories at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Margin of Victory Date Race Winner Runner-Up
0.027 Sunday, May 29, 2005 Jimmie Johnson Bobby Labonte
0.119 Sunday, May 29, 2022 Denny Hamlin Kyle Busch
0.293 Sunday, May 24, 2020 Brad Keselowski Chase Elliott
0.309 Saturday, October 15, 2005 Jimmie Johnson Kurt Busch
0.330 Sunday, May 26, 2019 Martin Truex Jr. Joey Logano

Top Five Largest NASCAR Cup Series Margin of Victories at Charlotte Motor Speedway

Margin of Victory Date Race Winner Runner-Up
11.982 Sunday, May 26, 1996 Dale Jarrett Dale Earnhardt
10.203 Sunday, May 25, 2008 Kasey Kahne Greg Biffle
10.051 Sunday, May 30, 2021 Kyle Larson Chase Elliott
9.561 Sunday, May 27, 2007 Casey Mears JJ Yeley
6.280 Sunday, May 28, 1995 Bobby Labonte Terry Labonte

·       Five NASCAR Cup Series races have resulted in NASCAR Overtime at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Date Scheduled Laps Actual Laps Overtime Race Winners
Sunday, May 29, 2022 400 413 13 Denny Hamlin
Sunday, May 24, 2020 400 405 5 Brad Keselowski
Sunday, October 8, 2017 334 337 3 Martin Truex Jr
Sunday, May 29, 2011 400 402 2 Kevin Harvick
Saturday, October 13, 2007 334 337 3 Jeff Gordon
Saturday, October 15, 2005 334 336 2 Jimmie Johnson

·       Six NASCAR Cup Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been shortened; five of the six were the Coca-Cola 600s: 1968, 1971 (Oct.), 1997, 2003, 2009, 2024.

Date Scheduled Laps Actual Laps Fewer Laps Race Winners
Sunday, May 26, 2024 400 249 151 Christopher Bell
Monday, May 25, 2009 400 227 173 David Reutimann
Sunday, May 25, 2003 400 276 124 Jimmie Johnson
Sunday, May 25, 1997 400 333 67 Jeff Gordon
Sunday, October 10, 1971 334 238 96 Bobby Allison
Sunday, May 26, 1968 400 255 145 Buddy Baker

·       Qualifying has been cancelled due to weather conditions in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway three times – the October race of 2002, the October race of 2008 and the May race of 2023.   

·       Qualifying was also cancelled due to the pandemic in 2020 for the May race.

·       The largest number of Cautions in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is 22 Cautions, set in the May 29, 2005 race – won by Jimmie Johnson. The race had 103 caution laps in the event. 

·       The largest number of Caution Laps in a NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is 113 Caution Laps set in the May 25, 1980 race – won by Benny Parsons. The race had 14 Cautions in the event.

·       The top three largest fields to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte Motor Speedway were:

o   June 19, 1960 – 60 cars (Winner: Joe Lee Johnson)

o   May 28, 1961 – 55 cars (Winner: David Pearson)

o   October 16, 1960 – 50 cars (Winner: Speedy Thompson)

·       Five NASCAR Cup Series races at Charlotte Motor Speedway have exceeded five hours in length:

o   June 19, 1960 – 5 hours, 34 minutes, 06 seconds – (Winner: Joe Lee Johnson)

o   May 28, 1961 – 5 hours, 22 minutes, 29 seconds – (Winner: David Pearson)

o   May 29, 2005 – 5 hours, 13 minutes, 52 seconds (Winner: Jimmie Johnson)

o   May 29, 2022 – 5 hours, 13 minutes, 08 seconds (Winner: Denny Hamlin)

o   May 25, 1980 – 5 hours, 01 minutes, 51 seconds (Winner: Benny Parsons)

NASCAR IN NORTH CAROLINA

·       There have been 785 NASCAR national series races among 32 tracks in the state of North Carolina.

·       Charlotte Motor Speedway has hosted the most NASCAR national series races in the state of North Carolina at 230.

·       The very first race in what is now known as the NASCAR Cup Series, was held on June 19, 1949 at a dirt track in Charlotte, North Carolina named the Charlotte Speedway. The track is a 0.75-mile dirt track, and the first event saw 32 entries compete, but it was Jim Roper who won the race – his only victory in his career.

NASCAR Tracks in North Carolina City Cup O’Reilly Truck Combined First Year
Bowman Gray Stadium Winston-Salem 29 0 0 29 1958
Charlotte Motor Speedway Concord 127 80 23 230 1960
Charlotte Motor Speedway Road Course Concord 8 8 1 17 2018
North Wilkesboro Speedway North 93 4 5 102 1949
Rockingham Speedway Rockingham 78 44 4 126 1965
Asheville Speedway Asheville 0 1 0 1 1982
Asheville-Weaverville Speedway Weaverville 34 0 0 34 1951
Caraway Speedway Asheboro 0 3 0 3 1982
Champion Speedway Fayetteville 4 0 0 4 1958
Charlotte Speedway Charlotte 12 0 0 12 1949
Cleveland County Fairgrounds Shelby 6 0 0 6 1956
Concord Speedway Concord 12 0 0 12 1956
Dog Track Speedway Moyock 7 0 0 7 1962
Forsyth County Fairgrounds Winston-Salem 2 0 0 2 1955
Gastonia Fairgrounds Gastonia 1 0 0 1 1958
Greensboro Agriculture Fairgrounds Greensboro 3 0 0 3 1957
Harnett Speedway Spring Lake 1 0 0 1 1953
Harris Speedway Harris 2 0 0 2 1964
Hickory Speedway Hickory 35 42 0 77 1953
Jacksonville Speedway Jacksonville 2 0 0 2 1957
McCormick Field Asheville 1 0 0 1 1958
New Asheville Speedway Asheville 8 0 0 8 1962
North Carolina State Fairgrounds Raleigh 3 0 0 3 1955
Occoneechee Speedway Hillsboro 32 0 0 32 1949
Orange County Speedway Rougemont 0 27 0 27 1983
Raleigh Speedway Raleigh 7 0 0 7 1953
Salisbury Super Speedway Salisbury 1 0 0 1 1958
Southern States Fairgrounds Charlotte 17 0 0 17 1954
Star Lite Speedway Monroe 1 0 0 1 1966
Tar Heel Speedway Randleman 3 0 0 3 1963
Tri-City Speedway High Point 2 0 0 2 1953
Wilson Speedway Wilson 12 0 0 12 1951
Totals 543 209 33 785

NORTH CAROLINA DRIVERS IN NASCAR

·       A total of 483 different drivers in NASCAR national series history have their home state recorded as North Carolina. 60 of the 478 have won in a NASCAR national series race.

NASCAR Winner from North Carolina Cup O’Reilly Truck Combined
Richard Petty 200 0 0 200
Dale Earnhardt 76 21 0 97
Lee Petty 54 0 0 54
Ned Jarrett 50 0 0 50
Junior Johnson 50 0 0 50
Herb Thomas 48 0 0 48
Buck Baker 46 0 0 46
Bobby Isaac 37 0 0 37
Dale Jarrett 32 11 0 43
Rex White 28 0 0 28
Dale Earnhardt Jr 26 24 0 50
Jim Paschal 25 0 0 25
Benny Parsons 21 0 0 21
Speedy Thompson 20 0 0 20
Buddy Baker 19 0 0 19
Ryan Blaney 18 7 4 29
Harry Gant 18 21 0 39
William Byron 16 5 8 29
Bob Welborn 9 0 0 9
Kyle Petty 8 0 0 8
Austin Dillon 6 9 7 22
Morgan Shepherd 4 15 0 19
Bill Blair 3 0 0 3
Austin Cindric 3 13 1 17
Gwyn Staley 3 0 0 3
Brian Vickers 3 3 0 6
Billy Myers 2 0 0 2
Jimmy Pardue 2 0 0 2
Richard Brickhouse 1 0 0 1
Harrison Burton 1 4 0 5
Ty Gibbs 1 12 0 13
Phil Parsons 1 2 0 3
Leon Sales 1 0 0 1
Buddy Shuman 1 0 0 1
Donald Thomas 1 0 0 1
Jack Ingram 0 31 0 31
Tommy Houston 0 24 0 24
Sam Ard 0 22 0 22
Connor Zilisch 0 13 0 13
John H. Nemechek 0 11 13 24
Robert Pressley 0 10 2 12
Scott Riggs 0 4 5 9
Taylor Gray 0 2 0 2
Hank Parker Jr 0 2 0 2
Johnny Rumley 0 2 0 2
Dennis Setzer 0 2 18 20
Ronnie Silver 0 2 0 2
Ed Berrier 0 1 0 1
Ty Dillon 0 1 3 4
Daniel Hemric 0 1 1 2
Justin Labonte 0 1 0 1
Stephen Leicht 0 1 0 1
John Settlemyre 0 1 0 1
Myatt Snider 0 1 0 1
Timothy Peters 0 0 11 11
Layne Riggs 0 0 6 6
Todd Gilliland 0 0 3 3
Andy Houston 0 0 3 3
Tate Fogleman 0 0 1 1
Ricky Hendrick 0 0 1 1
Shane Hmiel 0 0 1 1
Total 834 279 88 1201

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