How NASCAR’s longest race grew to become a proving floor for rising stars

In fact, it’s kind of unusual to suppose that inexperienced drivers appear to shine on this grueling five-hour race, but it surely’s occurred sufficient for it to grow to be notable. At 600 miles, no different race will get near the size (aside from possibly the 2023 Daytona 500 which went 30 miles into extra time).

Born from the minds of Bruton Smith and Curtis Turner, the 1.5-mile asphalt oval often called Charlotte Motor Speedway is now the heartbeat of the NASCAR neighborhood with a majority of groups and drivers residing inside a brief drive of the monitor.

The race was initially known as the World 600 and ran its inaugural occasion in 1960. Its first victor was Joe Lee Johnson within the No. 89 machine. It wasn’t his first win, but it surely was his final, profitable the race by a margin of 4 laps. However let’s check out the entire checklist of first-time winners and the way all of them managed to overcome NASCAR’s longest race.

1961 – David Pearson

This NASCAR Corridor of Famer would go on to win three championships and 105 races in a profession that spanned almost 30 years, however his first win got here proper at Charlotte in 1961. After beginning third, he led over half the race in a dominant exhibiting, beating Fireball Roberts by two full laps. His 105 profession victories ranks second solely to Richard Petty.

Now, Pearson’s triumph within the second-ever operating of the race gave the impression to be an anomaly at first. It will be 33 years till a first-time winner received the 600 once more, but it surely was title each race fan now is aware of.

At simply 22 years outdated, ‘Marvel Boy’ was piloting the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet that he would later make well-known. However on the time, he was nonetheless looking for his first profession win. This race gave the impression to be Rusty Wallace’s to lose however with the sensible Ray Evernham on the field, he and Gordon proved to be a formidable duo. A name for a brief two-tire cease allowed them to leap forward of Wallace late within the operating. He led simply 16 laps but it surely was sufficient to say his first Cup win.

In fact, everyone knows Gordon did not cease there. The Corridor of Fame driver went on to win 93 Cup races and sits simply behind Pearson on the all-time wins checklist. He additionally received 4 Cup titles, eclipsing Pearson in that class.

We actually did not have to attend one other 33 years for the subsequent first-time winner within the 600. The very subsequent 12 months, one other future Corridor of Fame would make their mark with a victory in NASCAR’s longest race. Ken Schrader was in management, however blew an engine late within the operating. Bobby Labonte moved into the race lead and stretched the gasoline to take the checkered flag. It was a Labonte 1-2 together with his elder brother Terry ending second.

Bobby went on to grow to be the 2000 Cup champion, profitable 21 races, and becoming a member of the NASCAR Corridor of Fame in 2020.

The theme of first-time winners within the 600 happening to grow to be NASCAR legends continued as the game raced into the twenty first century. Matt Kenseth, operating fourth after the ultimate restart, rapidly marched ahead with the crafty of a veteran driver. He handed Gordon, Earnhardt, and at last Labonte on Lap 373 of 400. He then held again Labonte as they navigated slower visitors, profitable the race by simply over half a second.

Kenseth received 39 Cup races all through his profession and was the ultimate champion underneath the season-long factors format in 2003. He was inducted into the NASCAR Corridor of Fame simply final 12 months. That is proper. The primary 4 drivers to get their maiden Cup win the 600 all went on to grow to be Cup champions and members of the game’s Corridor of Fame. 

That is the place the pattern began to shift a bit. Underdogs started to rise from the midfield and snatch this crown jewel victory for themselves. After a number of years of battle at Chip Ganassi Racing, Casey Mears, nephew of four-time Indy 500 winner Rick Mears, joined Hendrick Motorsports for the 2007 season. It was nonetheless a battle for Mears and the No. 25 crew, however the Coke 600 introduced him with a singular alternative. 

With everybody operating on fumes, Mears watched as Tony Stewart pitted from the lead with simply eight laps to go. Then Dale Earnhardt Jr. pitted from the lead, and Denny Hamlin the lap after him. With simply six laps to go, Mears inherited the highest spot. He peddled that automotive, hanging on to win the race with 9.5s benefit over J.J. Yeley. These last six laps have been the one laps he led throughout all the race.

It was Mears’ first journey to Victory Lane, and in contrast to the earlier drivers on this checklist, it was additionally his final. He began 489 Cup races between 2003 and 2019, however that 2007 Coke 600 was his solely second of glory. 

2009 – David Reutimann

The 2009 Coke 600 was stricken by dangerous climate and was already postponed to Monday. After which on lap 222 of 400, the warning flew for rain as soon as once more. David Reutimann was operating 14th on the time of the yellow. Groups have been closing in on needing to cease for gasoline, so most the sphere determined to pit in the course of the warning. Reutimann didn’t. He led 5 laps behind the tempo automotive earlier than heavy rain pressured NASCAR to crimson flag the occasion.

The race by no means resumed, creating an upset win by each driver and crew, as Michael Waltrip Racing had by no means received earlier than both. It was an underdog story for the ages, however in contrast to Mears, Reutimann went on to win one other race the next 12 months at Chicagoland Speedway.

The grandson of Richard Childress, Dillon was the primary driver to pilot the No. 3 automotive within the Cup Collection for the reason that passing of Dale Earnhardt in 2001. Just like a decade earlier, the 2017 Coke 600 grew to become an intense fuel-mileage race. Martin Truex Jr. had completely dominated the occasion, however he didn’t have sufficient gasoline to make it to the top.

A number of drivers tried and did not make it to the top. Jimmie Johnson was main with simply two laps to go, however he additionally ran out exiting Flip 2 with about 2.25 miles left within the 600-mile race.

Dillon was now main, however he had no room to breathe as each Truex and Kyle Busch have been closing in quick. Even when he had sufficient gasoline, there was an opportunity they may attain him anyway, however they didn’t fairly get there. Busch crossed the road simply eight tenths again of the No. 3, which carried Austin Dillon to his first profession win after main solely the ultimate two laps. Had that been a 601 mile race, the consequence would have regarded very totally different.

Dillon is the one driver on this checklist who continues to be competing on the Cup stage. He went on to win the 2018 Daytona 500, amassing one other crown jewel. He additionally has victories at Texas Motor Speedway in 2022 and the summer time Daytona race in 2023.

Who’s subsequent?

Since Dillon’s 2017 win, there have been no first-time winners within the Coke 600. Actually, the pattern has shifted again in the direction of the extra skilled drivers. Practically each Coke 600 victor after Dillon is now a NASCAR Cup Collection champion, excluding Denny Hamlin, who holds the file because the winningest driver in NASCAR Cup Collection historical past and not using a title.

Latest outcomes inform us that one other veteran will probably take the checkered flag this weekend, however I consider we’re due for one more first-time winner. My choose can be Ty Gibbs, who has but to win regardless of some very spectacular performances. The 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Collection champion has already led 235 laps up to now this 12 months within the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota and sits seventh within the championship standings. He is actually due for a visit to Victory Lane, and what higher place than the Coke 600 to grow to be a NASCAR Cup Collection race winner.