NASCAR
Can a Past 600 Winner Take the Checkers Again in NASCAR’s Marathon Race?
Coming into Memorial Day weekend, the NASCAR world turns to Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600. The 60th running of NASCAR’s longest race just days away. There are 6 active drivers with the honor of a past 600 winner. Can one of them win this crown jewel event again? The odds are good for a few of them.
Jimmie Johnson
1 of 2 drivers in the 600’s 60-year history to win the event 4 times, Jimmie Johnson is looking to tie a few records this weekend. If he were to win the 600 on Sunday, it would tie him with Darrell Waltrip at the race’s all-time record of 5 wins. It would also be career win 84 for the 7-time champion, also putting him in a tie with DW. Hendrick cars have shown speed in recent weeks, so can the 48 end their long losing streak?
Odds have the 48’s chances of another 600 victory at 30-1, but he has shown some glimmers of hope throughout this year. At the most recent race in Kansas, Johnson was able to bring it home in 6th place. With 8 career wins at Charlotte Motor Speedway, it’s tough to count out the 48. Even in his career-worst season a year ago, Jimmie still managed to finish the 600 in 5th. However, the 48 has not won the 600 in 5 years. Johnson winning on Sunday would be an upset of sorts. However, the 48 should have some strong speed during the night on Sunday.
Kurt Busch
The elder Busch brother’s lone triumph in NASCAR’s longest night came as part of a dominant month of May back in 2010. That year, Kurt won the 600 after also taking the checkers and the $1 million check in the All-Star Race. Sice 2010 however, Kurt has strong results in the 600. In the 7 starts since his win, Kurt has 5 top 10s, with a best result of 3rd in 2013. As the new driver at Chip Ganassi Racing for 2019, Kurt Busch has a strong chance to pull off a Ganassi sweep in Charlotte.
Kevin Harvick
Happy Harvick has been very strong in the Coke 600, as a 2-time past 600 winner in 2011 and 2013. Harvick has finished worse than 11th in the 600 since 2009 only once. He was 40th in last year’s race due to an early blown tire. Harvick is more than determined for a retribution race at Charlotte. Last week’s All-Star Race was a close runner-up result for the 4. In Harvick’s 2 600 wins he led a total of 30 laps, lending to his nickname ‘The Closer.’ Harvick has yet to win the Coke 600 while racing at SHR. He heads into Sunday night as a favorite for the 600 win.
Martin Truex, Jr.
Just 3 short years ago, Martin Truex, Jr. and Furniture Row Racing put on one of the most dominant performances ever at the Coke 600. That night, he led 392 laps from the pole. That night was a win where he led more miles than anyone else in NASCAR history. Now at Joe Gibbs Racing, he has the potential to add a second win in this crown jewel event to his resume. In his 2 600 starts since the 2016 win, Truex has finished 3rd and 2nd. He has been one of the strongest drivers at Charlotte Motor Speedway in recent years, so consider the 19 a favorite for another 600 win.
Austin Dillon
The most recent of 7 first-time winner in the Coke 600, Austin Dillon took the checkers on fumes at his home track just 2 years ago. In that fuel mileage race, the 3 car led a total of 2 laps. While some may consider that win a fluke for RCR, Dillon has had some speed as well on intermediate tracks this year. While far from a favorite for Sunday, Dillon has a strong chance at scoring a top 10 finish. If fuel mileage comes into play again, a miracle finish could play out twice for RCR.
Kyle Busch
The most recent winner of the Coca-Cola 600, Kyle Busch put on a driving clinic a season ago. After starting from pole, the 18 M&M’s Toyota led 377 laps, just shy of the mark Truex set 2 years prior. Busch’s win, his first points paying Cup Series Charlotte win, was among one of his most dominant races ever. Can the 18 go back-to-back in the 600? He has something to prove after Kansas, his first race of 2019 where he finished outside the top 10. The poor result from 2 weeks ago costs Kyle the points lead as well, so expect the 18 to be driving with a vengeance on Sunday. Busch should be considered a favorite for Sunday, as he goes for a second-straight Coke 600 crown.
Sunday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway will be stock car racing’s longest night. The Coca-Cola 600 is a crown jewel event, and this year it celebrates its 60th running. The 600 favors first-time winners, but with the racing credentials of the active past 600 winners, we could see a repeat face in victory lane. Coverage begins at 6 PM EST on Fox, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. NASCAR’s marathon is the culmination of the biggest day in Motorsports, so be sure to tune into the Monaco Grand Prix, Indianapolis 500, and Coca-Cola 600 this Sunday.
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Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo credit to NASCARMedia.
