Skip to content
Loading race information...
  • Official Site Of NASCAR
      • Live
        • Live Leaderboard
        • Live Odds
        • Scanner Audio
        • Scanner Audio
        • Fantasy Live
        • 36 For 36
    • Home
    • News
    • Schedule
    • Standings
    • Results
    • Entry List
    • Fantasy
    • In-Season Challenge
    • More
      • Drivers
      • Teams
      • Fan Rewards
      • NASCAR Channel
      • Podcasts
      • International
      • Regional
      • NASCAR Classics
      • eNASCAR
      • Shop
      • Racing Reference
      • Jayski
      • Tickets
      • Shop
Martin Truex Jr., driver of the No. 78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Toyota, poses with the trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina.
BACK TO GALLERIES

Memorable moments at Charlotte Motor Speedway

By Staff Report | Published: May 21, 2026 25
Todd Warshaw | Getty Images
BACK TO GALLERIES

1 of 25

The first race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

June 19, 1960: NASCAR debuted its longest race in history, hosting a 600-mile race at newly built Charlotte Motor Speedway. Joe Lee Johnson won the inaugural Coca-Cola 600, which used to be known as the "World 600."

Check out The NASCAR Channel to watch historic races from the Coca-Cola 600.

2 of 25

The Petty family share a special moment.

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

May 25, 1975: Richard Petty won the Coca-Cola 600 for the first time in his Hall of Fame career. On this day, "The King" lapped the entire field, leading 234 of 400 circuits.

3 of 25

Janet Guthrie looks on.

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

May 30, 1976: Janet Guthrie made her Cup Series debut, finishing 15th in the Coca-Cola 600.

4 of 25

Benny Parsons sits in his car.

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

May 25, 1980: Benny Parsons outdueled Darrell Waltrip to win the Coca-Cola 600 in a close finish.

5 of 25

Cale Yarborough sits by his car.

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

Oct. 6, 1985: After getting lapped five different times throughout the Charlotte fall race, Cale Yarborough fought back to score his 83rd and final career win in the Cup Series.

6 of 25

Jeff Gordon celebrates in Victory Lane at Charlotte.

NASCAR Research & Archives Center | Getty Images

May 29, 1994: Jeff Gordon earned the first Cup Series win of his Hall of Fame career in NASCAR's longest race.

7 of 25

Matt Kenseth looks on.

Jon Ferrey | Allsport

May 28, 2000: Matt Kenseth became the first rookie driver in history to win the Coca-Cola 600. This was also the first win of the Hall of Famer's Cup Series career.

8 of 25

Tony Stewart drives at Charlotte.

Craig Jones | Allsport

May 27, 2001: After finishing third at Charlotte, Tony Stewart became the first driver in history to complete "The Double," finishing all 1,100 miles in both Coca-Cola 600 and Indianapolis 500 races on the same day. Stewart finished sixth at Indy.

9 of 25

Jamie McMurray talks in the garage area.

Rusty Jarrett | Getty Images

Oct. 13, 2002: In his second Cup Series start, Jamie McMurray won the Charlotte fall race, filling in for the injured Sterling Marlin.

10 of 25

Jimmie Johnson celebrates in Victory Lane at Charlotte.

Streeter Lecka | Getty Images

May 29, 2005: Jimmie Johnson edged out Bobby Labonte in a photo finish to win the Coca-Cola 600 in a last-lap thriller.

11 of 25

Casey Mears celebrates in Victory Lane at Charlotte.

Jason Smith | Getty Images

May 27, 2007: Casey Mears stunned the NASCAR world when he saved enough fuel to score a surprise Coca-Cola 600 win over JJ Yeley and Kyle Petty. This was Mears' only career win in the Cup Series.

12 of 25

Kevin Harvick and Dale Earnhardt Jr. race at Charlotte.

Jerry Markland | Getty Images

May 29, 2011: Dale Earnhardt Jr. was on his way to winning the Coca-Cola 600 until he ran out of gas coming off Turn 4 on the final lap. Kevin Harvick ended up taking the dramatic win.

13 of 25

Brad Keselowski drives at Charlotte.

Jonathan Moore | Getty Images

Oct. 11, 2014: Toward the end of the Charlotte fall race, Brad Keselowski got involved in an on-track incident with Denny Hamlin. The drama spilled over into the garage area post-race as Matt Kenseth confronted Keselowski.

14 of 25

Martin Truex Jr., driver of the No. 78 Bass Pro Shops/Tracker Toyota, poses with the trophy in Victory Lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 29, 2016 in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Todd Warshaw | Getty Images

May 29, 2016: Martin Truex Jr. dominated the Coca-Cola 600, leading 392 of 400 laps on a night when the field could barely touch him.

15 of 25

Austin Dillon celebrates with his team after winning at Charlotte.

Sarah Crabill | Getty Images

May 28, 2017: In a thrilling fuel mileage finish in the Coca-Cola 600, Austin Dillon had enough left in the tank to propel the Richard Childress Racing driver to Victory Lane for the first time in his Cup Series career.

16 of 25

Kyle Busch celebrates after winning at Charlotte.

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

May 27, 2018: Kyle Busch made history on this night, becoming the only driver in NASCAR history to win at every single track he has competed at in the Cup Series. He led 377 of 400 laps en route to earning his first Coca-Cola 600 win.

17 of 25

Jimmie Johnson and Martin Truex Jr. race at Charlotte.

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Sept. 30, 2018: On the final lap of the inaugural fall race on the Charlotte road course, Jimmie Johnson spun into Martin Truex Jr. going for the win. In an exciting finish, neither driver saw Victory Lane as Ryan Blaney swooped in to snatch the win away.

18 of 25

Kyle Larson drives at Charlotte.

Jared C. Tilton | Getty Images

Sept. 30, 2018: As Jeffrey Earnhardt stalled on the frontstretch of the Charlotte road course, Kyle Larson wrestled a battered and bruised car around him to collect the point he needed to move on in the playoffs.

19 of 25

Chase Elliott celebrates after winning at Charlotte.

Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images

Sept. 29, 2019: During the fall race, Chase Elliott locked up the brakes, missing Turn 1 and hitting the barrier. The Hendrick Motorsports driver would later bounce back by winning the race and burning it down in front of the barrier he crashed into.

20 of 25

Chase Elliott after the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte.

Chris Graythen | Getty Images

May 24, 2020: Chase Elliott was on his way to a crown jewel win in the Coca-Cola 600 until a late-race caution changed everything. Elliott was called into the pits as Brad Keselowski stayed out and ultimately won the race for Team Penske.

21 of 25

Denny Hamlin wins the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

James Gilbert | Getty Images

May 29, 2022: After a pair of overtime finishes, the 2022 Coca-Cola 600 ended at 619.5 miles, becoming the longest race in NASCAR history in distance. Denny Hamlin ended the extended evening in Victory Lane.

22 of 25

Christopher Bell does a burnout at Charlotte.

Mike Mulholland | Getty Images

Oct. 9, 2022: Christopher Bell pulled off an epic walk-off win on the Charlotte road course to advance in the Cup Series Playoffs. With his back against the wall, Bell delivered this clutch performance to keep his playoff hopes alive.

23 of 25

Ryan Blaney celebrates winning at Charlotte.

Logan Riely | Getty Images

May 29, 2023: Snapping a 59-race winless streak, Ryan Blaney punched his ticket to the 2023 Cup Series Playoffs with a win in the Coca-Cola 600. Blaney would go on to claim the 2023 series championship.

24 of 25

Ross Chastain drives at Charlotte.

Ethan Smith | For NASCAR Digital Media

May 25, 2025: After crashing in practice, prepping a backup car all night and starting the race at the rear, Ross Chastain and the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing team fought through the field and eventually passed William Byron -- who swept all three stages -- in the final five laps to win the crown-jewel race. 

25 of 25

view of Ross Chastain colliding with Denny Hamlin and both driving in reverse to finish with Joey Logano in the background.

David Jensen | Getty Images

Oct. 5, 2025: The Round of 12 cutoff race delivered another dramatic finish. Ross Chastain and Joey Logano were locked in a tight battle for the final transfer spot in the tense closing laps. In the final stint, Logano was on fresher tires and cutting down Chastain's points lead lap by lap. Knowing he needed just one more position to break the tie, Chastain charged into the final corner, spinning himself and Denny Hamlin around, and drove over the start/finish line in reverse. However, Chastain lost several positions in the last-ditch effort and Logano snuck by at the end to advance to the Round of 8. 

nascar.com homepage
  • FACEBOOK

  • X

  • INSTAGRAM

  • SNAPCHAT

  • TIKTOK

  • YOUTUBE

  • DISCORD

  • HELP/SUPPORT
  • Contact Us
  • Updated Terms of Use
  • Updated Privacy Statement
  • Accessibility
  • Suppliers
  • Site Map
  • Cookie Settings
  • AdChoicesAd Choices Icon
  • Do Not Sell / Share My Information
  • INFORMATION
  • About NASCAR
  • Careers
  • Official Partners
  • NDM Advertising
  • Sponsorships
  • PRODUCTS
  • Fantasy
  • Scanner
  • Mobile Apps
  • Follow Live
  • NASCAR Classics
  • NASCAR Shop
  • INITIATIVES
  • NASCAR IMPACT
  • NASCAR MilTix
  • NASCAR Foundation
  • NASCAR Fan Council
  • NASCAR Fan Rewards Terms
  • NASCAR Fan Rewards FAQs
  • MORE SITES
  • IMSA
  • ARCA
  • FloRacing
  • eNASCAR
  • NASCAR International
  • NASCAR Hall of Fame
  • Credit One
  • Historic Sportscar Racing

NASCAR® and its marks are trademarks of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Copyright © 2026 NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. All rights reserved.

Home
Schedule
Results
Standings
More