NASCAR
Stratta’s Six: Who Can Summit NASCAR’s Largest Peak in Coca-Cola 600?
One of stock car racing’s grandest nights is only days away. Driver, machine, patience, and endurance will all be tested in the Coca-Cola 600. NASCAR’s longest race is also its richest in points. A wealthy sum of championship ground is up for grabs in the crown jewel race. Here are a few contenders who hope to add their name to the who’s who list of Coke 600 winners.
Denny Hamlin
Riding peak momentum into NASCAR’s marathon night, All-Star Race winner Denny Hamlin eyes back-to-back victories. Hamlin has tamed the Coca-Cola 600 once before, the wild multi-overtime affair in 2022. Hamlin has seen one top-five in three Coca-Cola 600 starts since then.
The No. 11 Toyota has been nearly unbeaten in recent memory on 1.5-mile tracks as well, with two-straight Las Vegas wins. Beyond just that, Hamlin owns a 2.3 average finish in three intermediate races this season. This also includes nearly 300 laps led. His worst race in this stretch was Kansas, where the 11 was fourth. Best in show by a Monster Mile for the All-Star Race, Hamlin rides into the Coca-Cola 600 as the prerace favorite.
Denny Hamlin’s No. 11 National Debt Relief Toyota Camry at Bristol Motor Speedway before the Food City 500 on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Photo credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Kyle Larson
Not attempting the Indy 500/Coca-Cola 600 Double this season, all focus shifts to Charlotte for Kyle Larson. The No. 5 Chevrolet left the field in the dust here five years ago, leading 327 of 400 laps. Each successive Coca-Cola 600 start has seen Larson spend time out front, but only earn a best result of ninth. Larson is embracing the challenge of the Herculean race and its far larger meaning.
“It’s a long race — a lot longer than a normal race for us,” Larson said. “But we also look forward to honoring the military and the men and women who serve. There’s so much that makes this event special, from the pre-race festivities to honoring a fallen soldier on our windshield.”
Larson shockingly comes into the Coca-Cola 600 riding a year-long losing drought. 36 races is the longest winless span for Larson since joining Hendrick Motorsports. This winless streak should end eventually; Charlotte is a prime spot for another Hendrick breakout win.
Kyle Larson’s No. 5 HendrickCars.Com Chevrolet Camaro at Bristol Motor Speedway before the Food City 500 on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Photo credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Ryan Blaney
Three years ago Ryan Blaney ended his own losing streak with a Coca-Cola 600 triumph, taking his first Charlotte win. Early crashes have derailed the 12 in their last two 600 starts, not allowing the Penske team to shine. Team Penske is far from a stranger to success on Memorial Day weekend though; Blaney’s win came hours after Josef Newgarden’s first Indy 500 win. Entering Charlotte fourth in points, Blaney is poised nicely for a banner night ahead under the hometown lights.
Ryan Blaney’s No. 12 Discount Tire Ford Mustang at Bristol Motor Speedway before the Food City 500 on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Photo credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Tyler Reddick
Already a five-time winner this season, perhaps the biggest trophy missing from Tyler Reddick is the Coca-Cola 600 bling. Reddick’s most recent triumph was at the similar intermediate track in Kansas, where the No. 45 was clutch in overtime. 23XI Racing and Michael Jordan both have yet to taste winning success at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Atop the Cup Series championship by a monster 129-point gap, Reddick is in his best position yet for a Coke 600 triumph. Last year was Reddick’s first Coca-Cola 600 not finishing in the top-10. The hottest driver and team of this season will try and add another career-defining triumph.
Tyler Reddick’s No. 45 Pinnacle Toyota Camry on pit road from EchoPark (Atlanta) Speedway before winning the Autotrader 400 on Sunday, February 22, 2026. Photo credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Chase Elliott
The most recent intermediate winner on the tour, Chase Elliott took the checkers three weeks ago at Texas. Elliott got the upper hand on Denny Hamlin that day, and has been in near lockstep with the 11. Hamlin’s 2.3 intermediate average finish is countered by 3.7 for Elliott, featuring a win and three top-10s. Elliott hopes to replicate the elite execution seen by the No. 9 team at Texas.
“I thought we had one of the best weekends we’ve had in some time,” Elliott said. “Certainly throughout the race, just the performance throughout the day and just how we executed the whole thing. Our pit crew was doing an incredible job. I thought Alan (Gustafson, crew chief) called a good race. Felt like I managed things behind the wheel well. I just felt like everything was clicking. I have always had the belief of, man, when we’re clicking and we’re all doing our jobs to the best of our ability, I feel like we can really be one of the very best groups out here.”
Eighth at Kansas was Elliott’s low point in his three intermediate starts so far this season. The 9 team has seen incredible consistency on the most prolific track type. Elliott owns one Charlotte oval triumph from 2020, but still has yet to capture the Coca-Cola 600. 2026 could be a very popular win from Charlotte all the way back to Dawsonville.
Chase Elliott’s No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet Camaro at Martinsville Speedway before the winning the Cook Out 400 on Sunday, March 29, 2026. Photo credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Carson Hocevar
One of the greatest ‘what ifs’ from last year’s Coca-Cola 600 was Carson Hocevar. The Spire Motorsports No. 77 Chevrolet blew a motor while racing for the lead, ending his night just after lap 300. Now a year removed and a Cup Series winner, Hocevar has very high expectations for a Charlotte retribution run.
“Our team has been looking forward to this one,” Hocevar said. “Last year we had to start in the back, but worked forward pretty quickly. When we lined up on the front row I was ready to go for it and race it out. But a mechanical issue ended our night right after we took the green. I am just excited to have another shot at it. We have been really fast on the mile-and-a-halves. Especially when you look at what we did at Texas a couple weeks back – winning the pole and running up front all day. I think we are in for a really good weekend.”
Hocevar has been a bit erratic on intermediates this season, but the 77 is trending upwards. The above mentioned Texas pole was converted into a seventh-place outing, coming off his Talladega triumph. If Hocevar’s Chevrolet is equal to last year’s piece, the Chili’s colors could Ride the ‘Dente to victory lane again.
Carson Hocevar’s No. 77 Spectrum Chevrolet Camaro at Bristol Motor Speedway before the Food City 500 on Sunday, April 12, 2026. Photo credit: Peter Stratta/TSJSports
600 miles of intrigue, mystery, and drama lie ahead in one of the most anticipated races of the season. The Memorial Day Classic will go green Sunday at 6 p.m. ET on Prime Video, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Who can put together a captivating performance around Charlotte?86 points on the table makes the Coca-Cola 600 a great opportunity ahead for massive championship inroads.
Written by Peter Stratta
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