Coca-Cola 600

Ah, The Winston.

	Kurt Busch got some boos in Charlotte. Credit: Autostock

The pageantry, the special paint schemes, those rock-star introductions. It's a night like none other in racing. It's also a broadcast like none other in racing.

Where else but at The Winston can you hear Jeff Hammond implore 150,000 fans to "raise the roof" like he did before the team introductions? You don't see a mosh pit at the Carolina Dodge Dealers 400 do ya?

While we're talking about the introductions, did y'all hear the boos that Kurt Busch got from the fans in Charlotte? Word has it the American Dip Makers Convention was in town.

That would explain it.

As usual, the folks at FOX did a fine job with the broadcast. The show looked sharp, even though some of those in front of the camera didn't -- What was up with DW's tie, anyway? -- the analysis was strong and, as usual, the boys in the truck did a good job with replays.

With that in mind -- this week's award winners...

	Knaus to Johnson: You're the man! Apparently, he is.

I'm smarter after watching that: Ironically, this didn't come from anyone in the booth. Chad Knaus, Jimmie Johnson's crew chief, was miked up and FOX did a superb job capturing exactly was a crew chief is -- part head coach, part consuler.

In-between the first and second segment, Knaus was caught telling his driver the adjustments his team would make and giving Johnson a "you're the man" speech.

Obviously, it worked.

The Psychic Analyst Network: Larry McReynolds said at the top of the broadcast that a key to winning The Winston was for crew chiefs to think "outside the box." This was backed up throughout the broadcast by several crew chiefs pitting out of sequence.

Jer-ry, Jer-ry, Jer-ry: Ordinarily, Dick Bergeren has the "charming uncle from Debuque" quality about him. He's always supportive and you get the feeling that he really cares about the drivers. Saturday, he threw a curve ball at Ryan Newman that Barry Bonds couldn't hit.

	Ryan Newman: Forget what I said. Credit: Autostock

After Newman spun out of the race, he was visibly upset at Tony Stewart, thinking that Stewart had gotten into him. In the post-race interview with Bergeren, Newman said, "I guess Tony Stewart was the only one to get Alltel any exposure tonight."

After Bergeren told Newman on national TV that Stewart wasn't anywhere close to him, a visibly embarrassed Newman said simply, "I don't know what happened."

There was little excuse for Bergeren to embarrass Newman that way. Obviously there was time before the interview to spring that on him instead of making Newman look like a fool.

I doubt Newman will be so talkative the next time Bergeren asks for a quote. Who can blame him?

Ooooooooh: Tony Stewart's response to the whole Newman deal was, "He'd been trying to wreck himself for four laps anyway, so..."

Nice!

Sure, man: Steve Park told Matt Yocum that he was going to do well in The Winston Open because one of his former teams wore blue suits and, "he was used to wearing blue."

Uh ... ok

Anyway, on to this weekend's action:

Winston Cup Series: Coca-Cola 600

Site: Concord, N.C.

Track: Lowe's Motor Speedway (1.5 miles, 24-degree banking in turns, 5-degree banking in straightaways, Frontstretch: 1,952 feet, Backstretch: 1,360 feet.)

Race distance: 400 laps, 600 miles

Last year Johnson's mistake opens the door for Martin to win. Play video Kenseth cuts a tire while running in the top five. Play video Junior crashes as Johnson continues to lead. Play video

TV: Bud Pole Qualifying: SPEED, 7 p.m. ET Thursday, Happy Hour: FX, 3:30 p.m. ET Saturday (tape), Race: FOX, 5:30 p.m. ET Sunday.

Last year's race: Mark Martin broke a 73-race losing skid by outrunning Matt Kenseth in the final laps to pocket a $1 million bonus.

Last week's race: Jimmie Johnson became a $1 million man Saturday night by racing away to win The Winston and a record cash prize.

Potential Storyline: For the fourth time, Robby Gordon is preparing to race in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. In Gordon's first two attempts, his efforts were hindered by rain delays. Last year was the first time he raced the entire distance of both events on the same day.

Gordon sounds like he's more than ready.

"It's not that big of a deal," he said.

Point to ponder: Tony Stewart has five consecutive finishes of sixth or better at Lowe's Motor Speedway.

Next race: MBNA Armed Forces Family 400, Dover International Speedway, June 1.

Busch Series: Carquest Auto Parts 300

Site: Concord, N.C.

Track: Lowe's Motor Speedway (1.5 miles, 24-degree banking in turns, 5-degree banking in straightaways, Frontstretch: 1,952 feet, Backstretch: 1,360 feet.)

Race distance: 200 laps, 300 miles

TV: Bud Pole Qualifying: SPEED, 1:30 p.m. ET Friday, Race: FX, 1 p.m. ET Saturday.

Last year's race: Jeff Green survived an exciting four-lap shootout and heated battle with Greg Biffle to win for the second year in a row.

Last year Biffle and Green battle for the win on the final lap. Play video Biffle and Green battle for the lead with 60 laps left. Play video Contact between Kirby and Hmiel collects six cars. Play video

Last week's race: Ron Hornaday beat Brian Vickers by less than half a second Sunday at Nazareth Speedway to end a 63-event winless drought.

Potential Storyline: Greg Biffle plans to run in Saturday's race. It will be the first Busch Series event of the season for Biffle, who won the series' championship last season before moving to NASCAR Winston Cup this year. Biffle will drive the No. 9 Ford.

Point to ponder: Todd Bodine, currently second in the NASCAR Busch Series point standings, has finished in the top five in the last three spring races at Charlotte.

Next race: MBNA Armed Forces Family 200, Dover International Speedway, May 31