NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 Preview

The NASCAR Cup Series is racing the longest race of the season, the Coca-Cola 600. By learning about Sunday’s race, prepare for 600 miles of racing action.

NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 Preview

NASCAR is having its homecoming, with its annual trip to the Charlotte Motor Speedway oval for the longest race of the season, the Coca-Cola 600. The sport will honor the Memorial Day holiday with many displays of honor and respect, as across the country, we honor those who have fallen in service to the United States.

Last year, it was Christopher Bell taking the victory in a rain-shortened Coke 600 in 2024. Can Bell start another winning streak, going back-to-back with the All-Star Race and another Coke 600?

Race Preview:

The longest race of the year, the Coca-Cola 600, is a 600-mile race, 400 laps around the Charlotte Motor Speedway. It features four stages, each 100 laps. At lap 200, the halfway break will feature a moment of silence, paying tribute to those in the US Armed Forces who have fallen in the service to this nation.

There is $13,651,450 up for grabs in the prize purse for this race. The Cup Cars will be racing on the same tire that was used at Kansas two weeks ago. Teams will have 13 sets of tires to use between qualifying and the race.

The Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway

Charlotte Motor Speedway, located in Concord, North Carolina, opened in 1960 as a premier venue for stock car racing. The first race track to have lights and host a night race. Featuring 24 degrees of banking in the turns and 5 degrees on the straights, Charlotte is the quintessential 1.5-mile track in NASCAR. This is a home race for many teams, with shops located a short distance away.

This will be the 127^th race at Charlotte for the NASCAR Cup Series. The first race was won by Joe Lee Johnson driving a ‘60s Chevrolet. Jimmie Johnson holds the record for wins at Charlotte with 8 wins. He also holds the track record with a time of 28.598, set in 2017.

Cup Series Point Standings:

Here are the points standings following the Cup Series race at Kansas:

1. Kyle Larson: 469
2. William Byron: 434
3. Christopher Bell: 384
4. Chase Elliott: 378
5. Ryan Blaney: 362
6. Tyler Reddick: 357
7. Denny Hamlin: 346
8. Alex Bowman: 325
9. Joey Logano: 318
10. Bubba Wallace: 310

READ MORE: Kyle Larson Once Again Showcases His Dominance at Kansas

Drivers to Watch:

Four drivers are joining the field for the Coke 600. Derek Kraus will drive the #44 for NY Racing. Josh Bilicki will drive the #66 for Garage 66. Connor Zilisch will make his second Cup start, first oval start, in the #87 for Trackhouse.

Jimmie Johnson will be making his 700^th start in the Cup Series this Sunday, driving the #84 Toyota for his team, Legacy Motor Club.

This is the second leg of “The Double” for Kyle Larson. He will be flying from the Indianapolis 500 after that race. Last year, weather delayed the start of the 500 and shortened the Coke 600, unfortunately ending Larson’s day at only 500 of the 1100 complete.

Predictions For The Coke 600:

Many fans were disappointed with how the race finished last year, and that Larson did not get a chance to get in the car. This year, he is still the favorite to win, and I think that is correct. Look at the last 1.5-mile track race, Kansas. Larson won the pole, won both stages, the fastest lap award, and the win. I think Larson is a safe pick for the 600, and it looks like the weather will permit it.

Brad Keselowski and Josh Berry have been two fast Fords on 1.5-mile tracks this season. Berry scored his first career win at Vegas earlier in the year, and finished fourth in the second stage at Kansas, and sixth at the checkered flag. Keselowski was running second to Chase Elliott when he had a tire blow up and put him into the wall. I think these guys are contenders for Ford.

Toyota has the most wins in the Next-Gen car in the Coke 600. Denny Hamlin scored the victory in 2022, and Bell in 2024. Both guys have been running great in 2024, and are winners in this race before. I think these two guys will lead the Toyotas in Sunday’s race.

How To Watch the Coke 600 at Charlotte:

Important note about this weekend’s television coverage. Coverage will be on Amazon Prime for the next five races.

Saturday, May 24th:

• Practice
  • 1:30 PM Eastern
  • Coverage is on Amazon Prime
• Qualifying
  • 2:40 PM Eastern
  • Coverage continues on Amazon Prime

Sunday, May 25th:

• The Coca-Cola 600
  • 6:00 PM Eastern
  • Coverage is on Amazon Prime, PRN, and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio

Stay connected with Last Word on Motorsports for all the news from the 2025 Coca-Cola 600

Main Photo: David Jensen, Getty Images

Recording Date: 5/26/2024