Coca-Cola 600
Charlotte Motor Speedway
 |
| Photo: Richard Tix |
By Richard Tix
The 2016 All Star Race has come and gone and so will all the criticisms. I won't go too deep into that as I was at the race, understood the initial rules, and had a great time with a great bunch of friends so my judgement is faded. I will say the people trying to dog Brad Keselowski for coming up with the idea might need to take a step back. 1. it wasn't him making the official calls and the rules he laid out were as simple as in recent years (some past rule's have been foggy too). 2. the officiating and not knowing how to handle certain outcomes were the biggest draw back and is where NASCAR dropped the ball.
I applaud him for coming up with an idea and NASCAR trying, I just wish NASCAR would have done its homework on the possible outcomes during the segments before the race actually started.
As for the race and being in Charlotte, if you have never been you should take a trip out to this weekends Coca-Cola 600. This past weeks ASR was my first visit to the track and it was awesome. Not even a weekend full of rain could stop me from having a great time.
In the end that's what it is all about, enjoying the experience. Racing, good refreshments, and great friends are the thing that gets left behind when folks don't travel to any tracks in a season. If you can make it happen, I 100% urge you to attend a NASCAR race in person. Nothing beats the experience and memories you can actually get at a track in person. The people you go with and even the new NASCAR fans you meet are the difference between sitting at home and being at the track. I first hand understand it's hard to get to tracks (being in MN it isn't easy), but when/if you can it's hands down an experience you need to make happen.
We had a bunch of first time race goers in our group and every one of them enjoyed their time. That's because nothing beats a fun race, tailgating at the track, and making memories with old and new friends.
**This section is just a quick look at some of Cup drivers latest finishes. This is not a tool for fantasy purposes and NBTW only is looking at end results. No deep statistic's are involved, but rather it is just a quick way to get ready for the race and get caught up on who has finished well at each track**
The Good
- Joey Logano- JoLo doesn't dominate at CMS everytime we stop here but he is the most recent winner (of a points race and now the 2016 ASR). He also holds a career average finish of 9.6 in 14 career races. Last year could be a sign of whats to come from Joey when he led 227 of 334 laps.
- Jimmie Johnson- JJ gets a pass here. Why is that? Well, he hasn't been that good here lately but he still can get it done when you least expect it. Since 2006 he only has two wins, but both came after rough stretches. He has won from the pole three time of his seven total wins.
- Carl Edwards- Edwards was the other 2015 winner (JoLo above won at CMS as well in 2015). It was his first career win at Charlotte and with JGR. Carl has five straight top 10's here and eight in his last nine. With JGR being strong again in 2016 Carl should be a safe option.
The Middle
- Kasey Kahne- It's hard to put a finger on Kahne at Charlotte. I would say overall he is very good at CMS, but lately he has been struggling. In the last four stops at Charlotte he hasn't had an average running position in the top 15 (16th was his best twice). The bright side is he has four career wins here as well, so nothing is out of the question.
The Bad
- Danica Patrick- This just isn't her track, yet. She only has two top 20's and three top 25's in seven career races. Looking at the bright side she did finish a career best 19th last time here in 2015.
- Paul Menard- Menard's two top 10's in 18 career starts at CMS just isn't getting it done. To make matters worse he has a career average finish of 23.1 and a bad starting position to go with that, 20.7.
- Dale Earnhardt Jr- 32 races, 6 top 5's, and 12 top 10's. It's not that Junior can't run well here, but it is just that the odds aren't in his favor. In his last 16 here he has 4 top 10's, 5 top 15's, and only 9 top 20's. I would consider that struggling for a driver at his skill level.
About the Track: Charlotte
Track Stats
- The last time someone won a Charlotte race from the Pole not named Jimmie Johnson was 1998, Jeff Gordon. JJ has won 2 from the Pole since then (2004 and 2009)
- JJ won 4 straight from 2004 to 2005, sweeping both times. Four straight is also a track Cup record
- In that same stretch he (JJ) won 5 of 6 from 2003-2005 dropping the only race to Tony Stewart
- The most cautions was 22 during the 2005 May Charlotte race, which JJ ended up winning.
- In Jimmie Johnson's 7 wins, he (JJ) won 3 from the Pole, including this race in 2014.
- Those 7 wins are the most by any driver in a career.
- Bobby Allison has the second most wins with 6 total in 43 attempts
- Of current drivers Ryan Newman has the most poles (9).
- David Pearson has the most career poles at Charlotte with 14.
- Jimmie Johnson has led 1,735 or 9,955 career laps he has run at Charlotte. That is enough for second most behind Bobby Allison (2,338 total).
- Richard Petty has the most top 10's in a career with 31 in 64 attempts. He is also tied with Bobby Allison for the most top 5's (23 total).
Track Info
- Surface: Asphalt
- Length: 1.5 mile
- Banking
- Turns: 24 degrees
- Straights: 5 degrees
Charlotte
Motor Speedway
|
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Race
|
Date
|
Cars
|
Winner(s)
|
St
|
Make / Model
|
1960-21
|
6/19/1960
|
60
|
Joe Lee Johnson
|
20
|
'60 Chevrolet
|
1960-42
|
10/16/1960
|
50
|
Speedy Thompson
|
3
|
'60 Ford
|
1961-20
|
5/21/1961
|
19
|
Richard Petty
|
7
|
'61 Plymouth
|
1961-21
|
5/21/1961
|
19
|
Joe Weatherly
|
3
|
'61 Pontiac
|
1961-24
|
5/28/1961
|
55
|
David Pearson
|
3
|
'61 Pontiac
|
1961-49
|
10/15/1961
|
43
|
Joe Weatherly
|
6
|
'61 Pontiac
|
1962-23
|
5/27/1962
|
48
|
Nelson Stacy
|
18
|
'62 Ford
|
1962-52
|
10/14/1962
|
44
|
Junior Johnson
|
3
|
'62 Pontiac
|
1963-26
|
6/2/1963
|
44
|
Fred Lorenzen
|
2
|
'63 Ford
|
1963-52
|
10/13/1963
|
40
|
Junior Johnson
|
2
|
'63 Chevrolet
|
1964-25
|
5/24/1964
|
44
|
Jim Paschal
|
12
|
'64 Plymouth
|
1964-59
|
10/18/1964
|
44
|
Fred Lorenzen
|
3
|
'64 Ford
|
1965-19
|
5/23/1965
|
44
|
Fred Lorenzen
|
1
|
'65 Ford
|
1965-52
|
10/17/1965
|
44
|
Fred Lorenzen
|
1
|
'65 Ford
|
1966-20
|
5/22/1966
|
44
|
Marvin Panch
|
7
|
'65 Plymouth
|
1966-48
|
10/16/1966
|
44
|
LeeRoy Yarbrough
|
17
|
'66 Dodge
|
1967-20
|
5/28/1967
|
44
|
Jim Paschal
|
10
|
'67 Plymouth
|
1967-47
|
10/15/1967
|
44
|
Buddy Baker
|
4
|
'67 Dodge
|
1968-18
|
5/26/1968
|
44
|
Buddy Baker
|
12
|
'68 Dodge
|
1968-47
|
10/20/1968
|
45
|
Charlie Glotzbach
|
1
|
'68 Dodge
|
1969-21
|
5/25/1969
|
44
|
LeeRoy Yarbrough
|
2
|
'69 Mercury
|
1969-48
|
10/12/1969
|
45
|
Donnie Allison
|
3
|
'69 Ford
|
1970-16
|
5/24/1970
|
40
|
Donnie Allison
|
9
|
'69 Ford
|
1970-44
|
10/11/1970
|
40
|
LeeRoy Yarbrough
|
5
|
'69 Mercury
|
1971-21
|
5/30/1971
|
40
|
Bobby Allison
|
2
|
'69 Mercury
|
1971-42
|
10/10/1971
|
42
|
Bobby Allison
|
3
|
'69 Mercury
|
1972-12
|
5/28/1972
|
40
|
Buddy Baker
|
6
|
'72 Dodge
|
1972-29
|
10/8/1972
|
44
|
Bobby Allison
|
4
|
'72 Chevrolet
|
1973-12
|
5/27/1973
|
40
|
Buddy Baker
|
1
|
'73 Dodge
|
1973-27
|
10/7/1973
|
41
|
Cale Yarborough
|
2
|
'73 Chevrolet
|
1974-13
|
5/26/1974
|
40
|
David Pearson
|
1
|
'73 Mercury
|
1974-28
|
10/6/1974
|
42
|
David Pearson
|
1
|
'73 Mercury
|
1975-13
|
5/25/1975
|
40
|
Richard Petty
|
3
|
'74 Dodge
|
1975-25
|
10/5/1975
|
42
|
Richard Petty
|
9
|
'74 Dodge
|
1976-13
|
5/30/1976
|
40
|
David Pearson
|
1
|
Mercury
|
1976-27
|
10/10/1976
|
40
|
Donnie Allison
|
15
|
Chevrolet
|
1977-13
|
5/29/1977
|
40
|
Richard Petty
|
2
|
Dodge
|
1977-27
|
10/9/1977
|
41
|
Benny Parsons
|
8
|
Chevrolet
|
1978-12
|
5/28/1978
|
40
|
Darrell Waltrip
|
17
|
Chevrolet
|
1978-27
|
10/8/1978
|
40
|
Bobby Allison
|
8
|
Ford
|
1979-13
|
5/27/1979
|
41
|
Darrell Waltrip
|
3
|
Chevrolet
|
1979-27
|
10/7/1979
|
40
|
Cale Yarborough
|
4
|
Chevrolet
|
1980-13
|
5/25/1980
|
42
|
Benny Parsons
|
6
|
Chevrolet
|
1980-28
|
10/5/1980
|
41
|
Dale Earnhardt
|
4
|
Chevrolet
|
1981-13
|
5/24/1981
|
42
|
Bobby Allison
|
7
|
Buick
|
1981-28
|
10/11/1981
|
41
|
Darrell Waltrip
|
1
|
Buick
|
1982-12
|
5/30/1982
|
42
|
Neil Bonnett
|
13
|
Ford
|
1982-26
|
10/10/1982
|
40
|
Harry Gant
|
1
|
Buick
|
1983-12
|
5/29/1983
|
41
|
Neil Bonnett
|
5
|
Chevrolet
|
1983-27
|
10/9/1983
|
40
|
Richard Petty
|
20
|
Pontiac
|
1984-12
|
5/27/1984
|
42
|
Bobby Allison
|
16
|
Buick
|
1984-26
|
10/7/1984
|
41
|
Bill Elliott
|
2
|
Ford
|
1985-11
|
5/26/1985
|
42
|
Darrell Waltrip
|
4
|
Chevrolet
|
1985-25
|
10/6/1985
|
42
|
Cale Yarborough
|
7
|
Ford
|
1986-11
|
5/25/1986
|
41
|
Dale Earnhardt
|
3
|
Chevrolet
|
1986-26
|
10/5/1986
|
42
|
Dale Earnhardt
|
3
|
Chevrolet
|
1987-10
|
5/24/1987
|
42
|
Kyle Petty
|
7
|
Ford
|
1987-26
|
10/11/1987
|
42
|
Bill Elliott
|
7
|
Ford
|
1988-10
|
5/29/1988
|
41
|
Darrell Waltrip
|
5
|
Chevrolet
|
1988-25
|
10/9/1988
|
42
|
Rusty Wallace
|
3
|
Pontiac
|
1989-10
|
5/28/1989
|
42
|
Darrell Waltrip
|
4
|
Chevrolet
|
1989-25
|
10/8/1989
|
42
|
Ken Schrader
|
2
|
Chevrolet
|
1990-10
|
5/27/1990
|
42
|
Rusty Wallace
|
9
|
Pontiac
|
1990-26
|
10/7/1990
|
41
|
Davey Allison
|
5
|
Ford
|
1991-10
|
5/26/1991
|
41
|
Davey Allison
|
10
|
Ford
|
1991-26
|
10/6/1991
|
41
|
Geoffrey Bodine
|
6
|
Ford
|
1992-10
|
5/24/1992
|
42
|
Dale Earnhardt
|
13
|
Chevrolet
|
1992-26
|
10/11/1992
|
40
|
Mark Martin
|
4
|
Ford
|
1993-11
|
5/30/1993
|
41
|
Dale Earnhardt
|
14
|
Chevrolet
|
1993-27
|
10/10/1993
|
42
|
Ernie Irvan
|
2
|
Ford
|
1994-11
|
5/29/1994
|
43
|
Jeff Gordon
|
1
|
Chevrolet
|
1994-28
|
10/9/1994
|
42
|
Dale Jarrett
|
22
|
Chevrolet
|
1995-11
|
5/28/1995
|
42
|
Bobby Labonte
|
2
|
Chevrolet
|
1995-28
|
10/8/1995
|
43
|
Mark Martin
|
5
|
Ford
|
1996-11
|
5/26/1996
|
43
|
Dale Jarrett
|
15
|
Ford
|
1996-28
|
10/6/1996
|
43
|
Terry Labonte
|
16
|
Chevrolet
|
1997-11
|
5/25/1997
|
42
|
Jeff Gordon
|
1
|
Chevrolet
|
1997-28
|
10/5/1997
|
43
|
Dale Jarrett
|
5
|
Ford
|
1998-11
|
5/24/1998
|
43
|
Jeff Gordon
|
1
|
Chevrolet
|
1998-28
|
10/4/1998
|
43
|
Mark Martin
|
2
|
Ford
|
1999-12
|
5/30/1999
|
43
|
Jeff Burton
|
2
|
Ford
|
1999-29
|
10/11/1999
|
43
|
Jeff Gordon
|
22
|
Chevrolet
|
2000-12
|
5/28/2000
|
43
|
Matt Kenseth
|
21
|
Ford
|
2000-29
|
10/8/2000
|
43
|
Bobby Labonte
|
2
|
Pontiac
|
2001-12
|
5/27/2001
|
43
|
Jeff Burton
|
18
|
Ford
|
2001-29
|
10/7/2001
|
43
|
Sterling Marlin
|
13
|
Dodge
|
2002-12
|
5/26/2002
|
43
|
Mark Martin
|
25
|
Ford
|
2002-31
|
10/13/2002
|
43
|
Jamie McMurray
|
5
|
Dodge
|
2003-12
|
5/25/2003
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
37
|
Chevrolet
|
2003-31
|
10/11/2003
|
43
|
Tony Stewart
|
6
|
Chevrolet
|
2004-12
|
5/30/2004
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
1
|
Chevrolet
|
2004-31
|
10/16/2004
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
9
|
Chevrolet
|
2005-12
|
5/29/2005
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
5
|
Chevrolet
|
2005-31
|
10/15/2005
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
3
|
Chevrolet
|
2006-12
|
5/28/2006
|
43
|
Kasey Kahne
|
9
|
Dodge
|
2006-31
|
10/14/2006
|
43
|
Kasey Kahne
|
2
|
Dodge
|
2007-12
|
5/27/2007
|
43
|
Casey Mears
|
16
|
Chevrolet
|
2007-31
|
10/13/2007
|
43
|
Jeff Gordon
|
4
|
Chevrolet
|
2008-12
|
5/25/2008
|
43
|
Kasey Kahne
|
2
|
Dodge
|
2008-31
|
10/11/2008
|
43
|
Jeff Burton
|
4
|
Chevrolet
|
2009-12
|
5/25/2009
|
43
|
David Reutimann
|
21
|
Toyota
|
2009-31
|
10/17/2009
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
1
|
Chevrolet
|
2010-13
|
5/30/2010
|
43
|
Kurt Busch
|
2
|
Dodge
|
2010-31
|
10/16/2010
|
43
|
Jamie McMurray
|
27
|
Chevrolet
|
2011-12
|
5/29/2011
|
43
|
Kevin Harvick
|
28
|
Chevrolet
|
2011-31
|
10/15/2011
|
43
|
Matt Kenseth
|
2
|
Ford
|
2012-12
|
5/27/2012
|
43
|
Kasey Kahne
|
7
|
Chevrolet
|
2012-31
|
10/13/2012
|
43
|
Clint Bowyer
|
4
|
Toyota
|
2013-12
|
5/26/2013
|
43
|
Kevin Harvick
|
15
|
Chevrolet
|
2013-31
|
10/12/2013
|
43
|
Brad Keselowski
|
23
|
Ford
|
2014-12
|
5/25/2014
|
43
|
Jimmie Johnson
|
1
|
Chevrolet
|
2014-31
|
10/11/2014
|
43
|
Kevin Harvick
|
7
|
Chevrolet
|
2015-12
|
5/24/2015
|
43
|
Carl Edwards
|
3
|
Toyota
|
2015-30
|
10/11/2015
|
43
|
Joey Logano
|
3
|
Ford
|
Weekend Articles:
I enjoyed the all-star race. My husband and I both thought it was a blast to watch and the comments from the booth and some of the drivers (in-car radio) were hilarious. It was a non-points race and people are just taking it too seriously.
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