2006 Coca-Cola 600

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2006 Coca-Cola 600
Race details [1] [2]
Race 12 of 36 in the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series
2006 Coca-Cola 600 program cover.png
2006 Coca-Cola 600 program cover, with artwork by NASCAR artist Sam Bass. The painting is called "Coca-Cola 12 Pack!"
Date May 28, 2006 (2006-May-28)
Official name Coca-Cola 600
Location Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina
Course Permanent racing facility
1.5 mi (2.414 km)
Distance 400 laps, 600 mi (965.606 km)
Weather Chilly with temperatures reaching as low as 60.8 °F (16.0 °C); wind speeds up to 15 miles per hour (24 km/h) [3]
Average speed 128.84 miles per hour (207.35 km/h)
Pole position
Driver Evernham Motorsports
Time 28.744
Most laps led
Driver Kasey Kahne Evernham Motorsports
Laps 158
Winner
No. 9Kasey KahneEvernham Motorsports
Television in the United States
Network Fox Broadcasting Company
Announcers Mike Joy, Darrell Waltrip, Larry McReynolds
Nielsen Ratings
  • 5.1/11 (Final)
  • 4.7/10 (Overnight) [4]
Radio in the United States
Radio Performance Racing Network
Booth Announcers Mark Garrow, Doug Rice
Turn Announcers Pat Patterson, Brent MacMillan, Chuck Carland

The 2006 Coca-Cola 600 was the 12th stock car race of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series as well as the 47th running of the event. It was held on May 28, 2006, in Concord, North Carolina, at Lowe's Motor Speedway, before a crowd of 175,000 spectators. The circuit is an intermediate track that holds NASCAR races. Kasey Kahne of the Evernham Motorsports team won the 400-lap race starting from ninth position; Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson finished second and Roush Racing's Carl Edwards was third.

Contents

Scott Riggs won the second pole position of his career by posting the fastest lap in qualifying, and led 47 of the first 49 laps until Jeff Gordon overtook him on lap 50. The lead changed a total of 37 times, with Kahne leading the most laps of any competitor (158). At the final restart on the 368th lap, Edwards led the field and held off Johnson in the second position. Kahne turned left to pass them both and reclaim the lead three laps later. He extended his advantage to more than two seconds and claimed his third victory of the season and the fourth of his career. There were a total of fifteen cautions during the race, and sixteen different drivers each led at least one lap.

The result of the race advanced Kahne to sixth in the Drivers' Championship, 292 points behind Johnson. Roush Racing teammates Matt Kenseth and Mark Martin each finished in the top ten, and moved to second and third, respectively. Tony Stewart of Joe Gibbs Racing fell from second to fourth after crashing heavily on lap 34. In the Manufacturers' Championship, Chevrolet maintained its lead with 86 points, 14 points ahead of Ford in second, and 16 in front of Dodge (its first Coca-Cola 600 victory since 1977) in third, with 24 races left in the season.

Background

Charlotte Motor Speedway, where the race was held. Lowesmotorspeedway.jpg
Charlotte Motor Speedway, where the race was held.

The Coca-Cola 600 was the 12th of 36 scheduled stock car races of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, and the event's 47th iteration. [1] It was held on May 28, 2006, in Concord, North Carolina, at Lowe's Motor Speedway (now Charlotte Motor Speedway), [2] an intermediate track that holds NASCAR races. [5] The standard layout is a 1.5 mi (2.4 km) four-turn quad-oval track. [6] The track's turns are banked at twenty-four degrees; both the front stretch (the location of the finish line) and the back stretch (opposite the front) have a five-degree banking. [6]

Before the race, Jimmie Johnson led the Drivers' Championship with 1,686 points, with Tony Stewart in second (1,593 points) and Matt Kenseth third (1,592 points). Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. were fourth and fifth with 1,487 points and 1,460 points, respectively, and Jeff Gordon, Kyle Busch, Kasey Kahne, Kevin Harvick and Jeff Burton rounded out the top ten drivers in the points standings. [7] In the Manufacturers' Championship, Chevrolet was leading with 80 points; Ford was second with 68 points, followed by Dodge with 61 points. [8] Johnson was the race's defending champion. [9] NASCAR mandated that teams used a 14 US gal (53 L; 12 imp gal) fuel cell instead of the standard 22 US gal (83 L; 18 imp gal) so that there would be fewer laps between pit stops and more tire changes could occur. [10] Control tire supplier Goodyear brought a supply of harder compounds to ensure longevity. [9]

The Coca-Cola 600 was conceived by driver Curtis Turner, who built the track. [11] It was first held in 1960 in NASCAR's attempt to stage a Memorial Day weekend race to compete with the open-wheel Indianapolis 500; the two races were held together on the same day from 1974 onward. [12] The race is the longest in distance on NASCAR's calendar, and is considered by drivers to be one of the sport's most important races alongside the Daytona 500, the Brickyard 400 and the Southern 500. [13] It is NASCAR's most physically demanding event; teams adapt to changeable track conditions because it occurs between late afternoon and evening. [14] It was known as the World 600 until 1984 when The Coca-Cola Company purchased the race's naming rights, renaming it the Coca-Cola World 600 in 1985. It has been called the Coca-Cola 600 every year since 1986, except for 2002 when the name changed to Coca-Cola Racing Family 600. [15]

After the previous race at Charlotte (the 2005 UAW-GM Quality 500), the track's condition was beginning to deteriorate. Several cars sustained blown tires, and multiple crashes occurred on the worn bumpy surface due to levigation, a process where a circuit's hard bumps were smoothed out. [16] When that did not work, the entire track (including the aprons and pit road) was completely repaved, with more than a 10,000 lb (4,500 kg) of asphalt used. The work was completed two months before the Coca-Cola 600 began. [17]

Practice and qualifier

Three practice sessions were held before the race; one on Thursday and two on Saturday. The first session on Friday afternoon lasted 90 minutes, the second on Saturday afternoon 60 minutes and the third held later that day ran for 45 minutes. [1] In the first practice session, Greg Biffle was fastest with a lap of 29.693 seconds, ahead of Kahne in second and Kurt Busch in third. Jeremy Mayfield was fourth-fastest; Harvick placed fifth and Reed Sorenson came sixth. Jeff Green set the seventh-quickest time, Scott Riggs eighth, Kyle Busch ninth, and Travis Kvapil completed the top ten ahead of qualifying. [18] Stewart spun leaving the second turn, but he avoided contact with the barrier beside the track. Tony Raines hit the wall, and his pit crew repaired minor structural damage to his car on pit road. J. J. Yeley pirouetted backward into the turn two wall late in the session. Robby Gordon's engine failed at around the same time, and his team changed engines. [1]

Scott Riggs (pictured in 2008) had the second pole position of his career. Scott Riggs - 2008 Talladega NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Spring Race.jpg
Scott Riggs (pictured in 2008) had the second pole position of his career.

Fifty-three cars were entered for the qualifying session on Thursday evening; according to NASCAR's qualifying procedure forty-three were allowed to race. Each driver ran two laps, with the starting order determined by the competitor's fastest times. [1] Cars that ventured onto the track early in qualifying were at a disadvantage because the track temperatures lowered as night fell. [19] Riggs was advised by his crew chief Rodney Childers to drive a different car, and he went onto the circuit in the middle of the session, [20] taking his first pole position of the season, and the second of his career with a time of 28.744 seconds. He was joined on the grid's front row by Mayfield, his Evernham Motorsports teammate. [21] Johnson qualified in third, Yeley fourth, and Bobby Labonte fifth. Kenseth was fifth, with Biffle and Denny Hamlin seventh and eighth. Kahne and Green were ninth and tenth. [20] The nine drivers who failed to qualify were Kevin Lepage, Hermie Sadler, Chad Chaffin, Michael Waltrip, Stanton Barrett, Mike Garvey, Chad Blount, Carl Long, Kirk Shelmerdine and Kertus Davis. [19] After the qualifier, Riggs praised his car, "There was a lot of grip out there tonight and I didn't know if it was going to hold up for pole or not, but I got all I could out of it. All these guys did a good job of making sure we didn't tune ourselves out of it. We just kept making small changes and everything worked out." [19]

Although Waltrip failed to set a fast enough lap time to qualify, he brought Derrike Cope's No. 74 McGlynn Racing car to enter the race, and renumbered it as No. 55, allowing him to extend his streak of consecutive starts to 262 races. [22] On Saturday afternoon Mayfield was fastest in the second practice session with a time of 30.199 seconds; Martin was second-fastest and Labonte third. Fourth place was occupied by Riggs and his teammate Kahne placed fifth. Green was sixth-fastest, and Johnny Sauter, Kurt Busch, Casey Mears and Carl Edwards followed in positions seven through ten. [23] Later that day, Kahne led the final practice session, setting a lap of 30.257 seconds. Martin duplicated his second practice session result in second, with Mayfield third and Edwards improved to fourth. Edwards' teammate Biffle was fifth- quickest; Riggs took the sixth position and Labonte came seventh. Kurt Busch was eighth, Burton ninth and Yeley completed the top ten ahead of Sunday's race. [24]

Qualifying results

Qualifying results
GridNo.DriverTeamManufacturerTimeSpeed
110 Scott Riggs Evernham Motorsports Dodge 28.744187.865
219 Jeremy Mayfield Evernham MotorsportsDodge28.832187.292
348 Jimmie Johnson Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet 28.931186.651
418 J. J. Yeley Joe Gibbs Racing Chevrolet28.999186.213
543 Bobby Labonte Petty Enterprises Dodge29.015186.111
617 Matt Kenseth Roush Racing Ford 29.029186.021
716 Greg Biffle Roush RacingFord29.046185.912
811 Denny Hamlin Joe Gibbs RacingChevrolet29.076185.720
99 Kasey Kahne Evernham MotorsportsChevrolet29.080185.695
1066 Jeff Green Haas CNC Racing Chevrolet29.092185.618
1131 Jeff Burton Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet29.100185.567
1229 Kevin Harvick Richard Childress RacingChevrolet29.104185.542
1324 Jeff Gordon Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet29.153185.230
1470 Johnny Sauter Haas CNC RacingChevrolet29.166185.147
1507 Clint Bowyer Richard Childress RacingChevrolet29.176185.084
1614 Sterling Marlin MB2 Motorsports Chevrolet29.182185.046
1725 Brian Vickers Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet29.201184.925
1812 Ryan Newman Penske Racing South Dodge29.262184.540
1901 Joe Nemechek MB2 MotorsportsChevrolet29.266184.514
202 Kurt Busch Penske Racing SouthDodge29.307184.256
216 Mark Martin Roush RacingFord29.319184.181
2299 Carl Edwards Roush RacingFord29.353183.968
2341 Reed Sorenson Chip Ganassi Racing Dodge29.356183.949
2444 Terry Labonte Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet29.360183.924
2540 David Stremme Chip Ganassi RacingDodge29.373183.842
2638 Elliott Sadler Robert Yates Racing Ford29.405183.642
271 Martin Truex Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc. Chevrolet29.410183.611
285 Kyle Busch Hendrick MotorsportsChevrolet29.416183.574
2922 Dave Blaney Bill Davis Racing Dodge29.421183.542
3042 Casey Mears Chip Ganassi RacingDodge29.423183.530
3132 Travis Kvapil Bill Davis Racing Chevrolet29.427183.505
3220 Tony Stewart Joe Gibbs RacingChevrolet29.531182.859
3326 Jamie McMurray Roush RacingFord29.585182.525
348 Dale Earnhardt Jr. Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet29.612182.359
3578 Kenny Wallace Furniture Row Racing Chevrolet29.636182.211
3615 Paul Menard Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet29.663182.048
3788 Dale Jarrett Robert Yates RacingFord29.673181.984
384 Scott Wimmer Morgan-McClure Motorsports Chevrolet29.674181.977
3945 Kyle Petty Petty EnterprisesDodge29.704181.784
4021 Ken Schrader Wood Brothers Racing Ford29.725181.665
417 Robby Gordon Robby Gordon Motorsports Chevrolet29.907180.5601
4296 Tony Raines Hall of Fame Racing Chevrolet29.995180.030
4374 Derrike Cope McGlynn Racing Dodge29.696181.1431
Failed to qualify
4449 Kevin Lepage BAM Racing Dodge29.779181.336
4500 Hermie Sadler MBA Racing Ford29.878180.735
4661 Chad Chaffin Front Row MotorsportsFord29.981180.114
4755 Michael Waltrip Waltrip-Jasper RacingDodge30.018179.892
4895 Stanton Barrett Stanton Barrett Motorsports Chevrolet30.056179.665
4951 Mike Garvey Competitive Edge Motorsports Chevrolet30.248178.524
5034 Chad Blount Front Row MotorsportsChevrolet30.299178.224
5137 Carl Long R&J Racing Dodge30.560176.702
5227 Kirk Shelmerdine Kirk Shelmerdine Racing Chevrolet31.266172.712
5372 Kertus Davis CJM Racing Dodge
Sources: [25] [26]
1 Moved to the back of the field for changing engines (#7), and for a driver change (#55) [2]

Race

Live television coverage of the race began at 5:02 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT) (UTC–04:00) in the United States on Fox. [27] Around the start of the race, weather conditions were sunny, with the air temperature in the high 80 °F (27 °C) range, [27] and the track temperature was 113 °F (45 °C). [28] Country music singer Carrie Underwood performed the national anthem introduced by American Idol host Ryan Seacrest, and Edward Angus Powell Jr., president and chief executive officer of the United Service Organizations, commanded the drivers to start their engines. [1] During the pace laps, Robby Gordon fell to the rear of the grid because he changed engines, and Waltrip did the same for relieving Cope in the No. 74 McGlynn Racing car. [2]

Tony Stewart (pictured in 2015) fractured the tip of his right scapula bone in a heavy accident on the 33rd lap. TSM350 - 2015 - Tony Stewart - 3 - Stierch.jpg
Tony Stewart (pictured in 2015) fractured the tip of his right scapula bone in a heavy accident on the 33rd lap.

The race began at 5:43 EDT. Riggs maintained his pole position advantage going into the first turn. [27] That lap, the first caution was waved, as Dale Jarrett was told by his spotter Rick Cordell over the radio to maintain his line entering turn three. He mis-interpreted the command, and came down into Robby Gordon's right-front quarter panel. Jarrett spun backward into the turn three wall and retired from the event. [1] [29] Riggs held the lead on the lap five restart. Four laps later, Mayfield was passed by Johnson for second. [27] On lap 33, Stewart's right-front tire disintegrated because the hot track surface melted its bead and he lost control of his car. [28] He crashed heavily into the right-hand SAFER energy absorbing barrier at turn two, and the second caution was necessitated. [1] [30] Stewart required assistance from medical personnel to exit his car, and the internal pain meant he clutched his right shoulder while walking to an ambulance. [28] [31] [32] During the caution, several drivers (including Riggs) made pit stops. [27] Elliott Sadler and Waltrip staggered their pit stops, enabling the pair to lead a lap each before entering pit road. [2] Riggs maintained the first position at the restart on lap 40. Newman's front tires went flat eight laps later, and spun at turn four, but avoided damaging his car, necessitating the third caution. [1] [27]

Several drivers (including Riggs) elected to make pit stops for fuel. Riggs stalled and lost the lead to Jeff Gordon who held it at the restart on lap 53. Fourteen laps later, the fourth caution was shown. [27] Kurt Busch lost control of his car leaving the second turn, and he made contact with the barrier with the left-hand side of his car. Under caution, most of the drivers on the lead lap (including Jeff Gordon) entered pit road for fuel, tires and car adjustments. [1] Johnson led the field back up to speed at the lap 71 restart. He began to pull away from the rest of the field. [27] On lap 92, sections of metal were observed lying in turn two, and the fifth caution was subsequently waved. [1] Several cars (including Johnson) again made pit stops during the caution. [27] Kahne made two stops because a crew member dropped a lug nut. [32] Riggs returned to hold the first position at the restart on lap 97. [27] On the same lap, Green overtook Riggs for the lead. [2] Vickers hit a wall on the 100th lap but no caution was prompted as he continued without major damage to his car. By lap 106, Martin had moved to second place. He took the lead from Green four laps later. Martin only held it for a lap as Green overtook him to return to the first position. On lap 112, Paul Menard spun leaving turn four, but avoided hitting a wall, causing the sixth caution. Most drivers (including Green) chose to make pit stops for fuel and tires. [27]

Martin regained the lead and maintained it at the lap 116 restart. [27] The seventh caution was necessitated fourteen laps later because of debris in turn two. [1] Drivers again took the opportunity to make pit stops under caution. Edwards was sent to the end of the longest line for entering pit road while it was closed. Riggs retook the lead on the 131st lap by taking only fuel. He held it at the restart on lap 135. [27] Ten laps later, an eighth caution was required, as one of Edwards' tires blew, and he hit the turn two wall lightly, before spinning on the backstretch. Most teams elected to put fuel in their cars under caution was active. Green was ordered to drop to the end of the longest line for his team leaving equipment outside his pit box. Biffle led at the lap 147 restart. Vickers had an understeer that caused him to spin into the turn four wall with his car's right-hand side on the 160th lap, causing the ninth caution to be displayed. Most drivers (including Biffle) made pit stops for fuel and tires during the caution. Hamlin became the leader for the lap 166 restart. On lap 181, Kahne got ahead of Hamlin and became the new leader. Green flag pit stops began on the 202nd lap. On the next lap, Bowyer exited his pit box without a catch can, and it fell off, causing the tenth caution. [1] [27] Most drivers chose to have four tires installed on their cars under caution. Kahne continued to lead at the restart on lap 210. [27]

Kasey Kahne (pictured in 2007) led a race-high 158 laps for his fourth career victory. KahneAce.jpg
Kasey Kahne (pictured in 2007) led a race-high 158 laps for his fourth career victory.

Debris from Kvapil's shredded right-rear tire was located in the second turn 26 laps later, [1] triggering the eleventh caution. The leaders (including Kahne) again elected to have four tires fitted to their cars during the caution. Hamlin got back to the first position, holding it at the lap 240 restart. [27] On the following lap, Kahne passed Hamlin to regain the lead. [2] Riggs and Mears then got past Hamlin to move into second and third three laps later. [27] Four laps later, the twelfth caution was necessitated: Sauter's right-rear tire disintegrated exiting turn one, and he spun on the apron. Under caution, most of the leaders again took on fuel on pit road. Kahne continued to lead at the lap 254 restart. The second round of green flag pit stops commenced on the 287th lap, with Kahne maintaining the lead after all were completed nine laps later. A thirteenth caution was called for debris in turn two on lap 306. The leaders (including Kahne) again made pit stops for fuel and tires. Burton took the first position for the lap 310 restart. [1] [27] Four laps later, Mears lost control of his car in turn four, and bent his vehicle's rear bodywork and spoiler in a collision with a barrier. He turned down into Kyle Busch on the frontstretch, who was turned into the right-hand wall with his left-hand quarter, and slid into the infield grass, triggering the fourteenth caution. [1]

Several cars swerved to avoid the accident. Kyle Busch put his window net down, and vacated his vehicle to venture towards the track while NASCAR officials restrained him. As one official grabbed his right arm, he threw his HANS device at Mears' circulating car on the next lap, which ricocheted off it. [33] [34] Racing resumed on the 321st lap, with Kahne leading. Riggs passed his teammate Kahne for the lead sixteen laps later. [2] The final round of green flag pit stops began on lap 361. [27] Riggs stalled twice and he incurred a stop-and-go penalty for transporting a jack and fuel can outside of his pit box. [1] [35] On lap 363, [2] Jeff Gordon's right-rear suspension failed, [33] and he collided with the turn four wall, causing the fifteenth (and final) caution. [1] Edwards led at the lap 368 restart. [27] He held off Johnson but lost the lead to Kahne to his left between turns three and four three laps later. [36] [37] Kahne held a lead of two seconds, and took his third victory of the season, and the fourth of his career. [38] Johnson finished second, Edwards third, Martin fourth and Kenseth fifth. Burton, Biffle, Jamie McMurray, Hamlin and Sorenson completed the top ten. There were 37 lead changes amongst 16 different drivers during the course of the race. Kahne's 158 laps led was the most of any driver. [2]

Post-race comments

Tonight was ours! To win in Charlotte is huge! You know every race at [Lowe's], Jimmie Johnson is going to be the guy to beat! We finally made it to that point and were able to race him!

Kasey Kahne on ending Jimmie Johnson's streak of four consecutive victories at Lowe's Motor Speedway. [36]

Kahne appeared in Victory Lane after celebrating in the infield to commemorate his fourth career victory in front of a crowd of 175,000 people; [2] [36] the win earned him $428,114. [35] He said of his late battle for the lead, "The car was turning 10 times better than it had been the pit stop before. By then, I knew we had a car that could race. That's all I've ever wanted here, a car that could race with Jimmie. Every time you get to the end, you know Jimmie is the guy to beat. We got to that point and had a car that could race him." [38] Johnson was not disappointed that a streak of consecutive victories at the track ended at four because of unfavorable adjustments to his car, "We had a great car tonight. We had the fastest car at times. We didn't have enough speed at the end. I hate to see the streak come to an end, but we're still very fortunate to win three of them." [28] Third-placed Edwards stated he was happy despite his penalty for entering pit road while it was closed, "We kept freeing the car up and it got a little too free in, and we played with tyre pressures all night. We overcame some terrible adversity tonight and I was so proud of my team." [33]

The combination of a repaved track and the harder compound Goodyear tire received a mixed response from drivers. [29] [38] Jeff Gordon voiced criticism towards Goodyear as he believed their hard compound tires were not suitable for the track, "Goodyear can do better than this, and we could put on a better race. The track was great, but the tires were terrible, the worst I've ever driven on. I know Goodyear can do better than this." [38] Martin praised the combination, "I'd say for the first time with the new asphalt, it gets an A, You don't get many of those. I want to compliment Goodyear, too. It was a hard tire to drive on, but it was a good race." [29] Kenseth was more cautious in his assessment, "Some people made it work better than others. The surface is great, the small fuel cell made it interesting on pit road. Hopefully, we won't have that small fuel cell next time and maybe a little softer tire, but the pavement is awesome." [29] Stewart was transported to Carolinas Medical Center and an X-ray found the tip of his right scapula was fractured. [28] He was treated and released a few hours later. [32] Stewart later planned to start the following week's race at Dover International Speedway, and Joe Gibbs Racing hired semi-retired racer Ricky Rudd as Stewart's relief driver to allow for a faster recovery. [39]

Kyle Busch (pictured in 2008) was fined $50,000 and lost 25 Drivers' Championship points for throwing his HANS device at Casey Mears' car. Kyle Busch-2.jpg
Kyle Busch (pictured in 2008) was fined $50,000 and lost 25 Drivers' Championship points for throwing his HANS device at Casey Mears' car.

Kyle Busch and his crew chief Alan Gustafson was ordered by NASCAR to meet president Mike Helton and other series officials about his collision with Mears after the race. [32] [34] [40] He said he could have not done anything different, "You've got to be frustrated at somebody for taking out such a great racecar like that, It was capable of winning the race, really. We were coming along right there at the end of the run, kind of clicking them off and coming through the field. I was very happy with the handling, and then Casey just lost it." [34] Mears said he felt Busch over-reacted and needed to mature, "What do you say about it? It's kind of the same thing over and over again with him overreacting. ... At some point he has to learn how to carry himself a little better, grow up a little bit and not act react like that." [41] Two days after the race, NASCAR announced penalties for Hendrick Motorsports. The penalties, for "actions detrimental to stock car racing" (a violation of Section 12-4-A of the NASCAR Rule Book); entering the track without authorization and for throwing an object at another driver's car, included a $50,000 fine for Busch, who was put on probation until December 31, 2006. He and team owner Rick Hendrick were penalized 25 points in the Drivers' and Owners' Championships. [42]

Additionally, Evernham Motorsports were found to transgress Section 12-4-A, 12-4-Q "car, car parts, components and/or equipment used that do not conform to NASCAR rules" and Section 20-12.8.1A "(roof height too low in post-race inspection" for Mayfield's No. 19 car. Crew chief Chris Andrews was fined $35,000, and Mayfield and team owner Ray Evernham had 25 Drivers' and Owners' Championship points deducted. [42] The result kept Johnson in the lead of the Drivers' Championship with 1,861 points, ahead of Kenseth, who moved to second. Martin advanced to third while Stewart fell to fourth. Earnhardt maintained fifth. Kahne's victory moved him to sixth place. Gordon, Burton, Harvick and Kyle Busch filled positions seven to ten. [43] In the Manufacturers' Championship, Chevrolet led with 86 points, followed by Ford in second (72 points), and Dodge in third (70 points). [8] The race took four hours, 39 minutes, and 25 seconds to complete, and the margin of victory was 2.114 seconds. [2]

Race results

Race results
Pos.GridNo.DriverTeamManufacturerLapsPoints
199Kasey KahneEvernham MotorsportsDodge4001902
2348Jimmie JohnsonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet4001751
32299Carl EdwardsRoush RacingFord4001701
4216Mark MartinRoush RacingFord4001651
5617Matt KensethRoush RacingFord4001601
61131Jeff BurtonRichard Childress RacingChevrolet4001551
7716Greg BiffleRoush RacingFord4001511
83326Jamie McMurrayRoush RacingFord400142
9811Denny HamlinJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet4001431
102341Reed SorensonChip Ganassi RacingDodge400134
11348Dale Earnhardt Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet400130
121066Jeff GreenHaas CNC RacingChevrolet4001321
13110Scott RiggsEvernham MotorsportsDodge4001291
143615Paul MenardDale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet400121
15219Jeremy MayfieldEvernham MotorsportsDodge400933
16417Robby GordonRobby Gordon MotorsportsChevrolet400115
17543Bobby LabontePetty EnterprisesDodge4001171
181901Joe NemechekMB2 MotorsportsChevrolet399109
191507Clint BowyerRichard Childress RacingChevrolet399106
20418J. J. YeleyJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet399103
21271Martin Truex Jr.Dale Earnhardt, Inc.Chevrolet399100
223132Travis KvapilBill Davis RacingChevrolet3991021
233042Casey MearsChip Ganassi RacingDodge39894
241470Johnny SauterHaas CNC RacingChevrolet39891
253945Kyle PettyPetty EnterprisesDodge39788
264021Ken SchraderWood Brothers RacingFord39785
27384Scott WimmerMorgan-McClure MotorsportsChevrolet397871
281614Sterling MarlinMB2 MotorsportsChevrolet39679
293578Kenny WallaceFurniture Row RacingChevrolet39676
302638Elliott SadlerRobert Yates RacingFord396781
312540David StremmeChip Ganassi RacingDodge39670
322922Dave BlaneyBill Davis RacingDodge39567
332444Terry LabonteHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet39364
341229Kevin HarvickRichard Childress RacingChevrolet37361
351812Ryan NewmanPenske Racing SouthDodge36958
361324Jeff GordonHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet360601
371725Brian VickersHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet33152
38285Kyle BuschHendrick MotorsportsChevrolet313243
39202Kurt BuschPenske Racing SouthDodge29046
404296Tony RainesHall of Fame RacingChevrolet26443
414355Michael WaltripMcGlynn RacingDodge116451
423220Tony StewartJoe Gibbs RacingChevrolet3237
433788Dale JarrettRobert Yates RacingFord034
1 Includes five bonus points for leading a lap
2 Includes ten bonus points for leading the most laps
3 Includes a 25-point post-race penalty
Sources: [2] [44] [45]

Standings after the race

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The 2008 Coca-Cola 600, the 49th running of the event, was a NASCAR stock car race held on May 25, 2008, at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. The race was the twelfth stock car race of the 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup season. The 400-lap race was won by Kasey Kahne of the Gillett Evernham Motorsports team, who started from the 2nd position. Greg Biffle finished second and Kyle Busch came in third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Coca-Cola 600</span> Auto race run in North Carolina in 2009

The 2009 Coca-Cola 600 was the twelfth stock car race of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and the fiftieth iteration of the event. It was held on May 25, 2009, at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina after being postponed on May 24 because of inclement weather. Scheduled for 400 laps on the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) quad-oval, the race was won by David Reutimann of Michael Waltrip Racing after being shortened to 227 laps because of poor weather conditions. Ryan Newman finished second ahead of Robby Gordon, Carl Edwards, and Brian Vickers, who completed the first five positions.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2010 Coca-Cola 600</span> Motor car race

The 2010 Coca-Cola 600, the 51st running of the event, was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held on May 30, 2010 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina as the 13th race of the 2010 Sprint Cup season It also was the longest race of the 2010 season, having consisted over 400 laps and 600 miles (970 km).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2011 Coca-Cola 600</span> Auto race held at Charlotte, USA in 2011

The 2011 Coca-Cola 600, the 52nd running of the event, was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series motor race held on May 29, 2011, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Contested over 400 laps on the 1.5-mile (2.4 km) asphalt quad-oval, it was the twelfth race of the 2011 Sprint Cup Series season. The race was won by Kevin Harvick for the Richard Childress Racing team. David Ragan finished second, and Joey Logano clinched third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Ford 400</span> Motor car race

The 2006 Ford 400 was the thirty-sixth stock car race of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series, and the final round of the ten-race season-ending Chase for the Nextel Cup. It was held on November 19, 2006, in Homestead, Florida, at Homestead–Miami Speedway, before a crowd of 80,000 people. The circuit is an intermediate track that holds NASCAR races. Roush Racing's Greg Biffle won the 267-lap race from the 22nd position. Dale Earnhardt, Inc.'s Martin Truex Jr. finished second and Joe Gibbs Racing's Denny Hamlin was third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Bojangles' Southern 500</span> Motor car race

The 2012 Bojangles' Southern 500 was the 63rd running of the event, and the eleventh stock car race of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. It was held on May 12, 2012, at the Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. The 368-lap race was won by Jimmie Johnson for the Hendrick Motorsports team. It was Johnson's first win of the season, and Hendrick Motorsport's 200th in NASCAR; Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing finished second and Stewart-Haas Racing driver Tony Stewart took third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2012 Coca-Cola 600</span> Motor car race

The 2012 Coca-Cola 600, the 53rd annual race, was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held on May 27, 2012, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Contested over 400 laps, it was the twelfth race of the 2012 season. Kasey Kahne of Hendrick Motorsports took his first win of the season, while Denny Hamlin finished second and Kyle Busch finished third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series</span> 65th season of NASCAR stock-car racing

The 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series was the 65th season of NASCAR professional stock car racing in the United States and the 42nd modern-era Cup season. The season began on February 16, 2013, at Daytona International Speedway, with the Sprint Unlimited, followed by the Daytona 500 on February 24. The season ended with the Ford EcoBoost 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 17.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Coca-Cola 600</span> Auto race held at Charlotte, USA

The 2013 Coca-Cola 600, the 54th running of the race, was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race held on May 26, 2013, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, United States. Contested over 400 laps on the 1.5–mile (2.4 km) oval, it was the twelfth race of the 2013 Sprint Cup Series championship. Kevin Harvick of Richard Childress Racing won the race, his second win in the Coca-Cola 600 and in the 2013 season. Kasey Kahne followed in second while Kurt Busch, Denny Hamlin, and Joey Logano rounded out the top five.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2013 Gobowling.com 400</span> Motor car race

The 2013 Gobowling.com 400 was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car race that was held on August 4, 2013, at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania. Contested over 160 laps on the 2.5-mile (4.023 km) triangular superspeedway, it was the twenty-first race of the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season. Kasey Kahne of Hendrick Motorsports won the race, his second win of the season, while Jeff Gordon finished second. Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. rounded out the top five. The race was one of the most competitive races held at Pocono Raceway, as there were nine cautions, 14 different leaders, and 27 lead changes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 Lenox Industrial Tools 301</span> Motor car race

The 2009 Lenox Industrial Tools 301 was the 17th stock car race of the 2009 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. It was held on June 28, 2009, in Loudon, New Hampshire, at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. 101,000 people attended the race. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Joey Logano won the rain-shortened 273-lap race starting from the 24th position in his first career win. Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports was second, with Penske Racing's Kurt Busch third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Subway 500</span> NASCAR stock car race

The 2006 Subway 500 was the 32nd stock car race of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the sixth in the ten-race Chase for the Nextel Cup. It was held on October 22, 2006, before a crowd of 65,000, at Martinsville Speedway in Ridgeway, Virginia, a short track that holds NASCAR races. Hendrick Motorsports driver Jimmie Johnson won the 500‑lap race starting from the ninth position; Denny Hamlin of Joe Gibbs Racing finished second, and Petty Enterprises' Bobby Labonte was third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Brickyard 400</span> NASCAR race held at Indianapolis in 2006

The 2006 Allstate 400 at the Brickyard was the 21st stock car race of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series. The 13th running of the event, it was held on August 6, 2006, at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana before a crowd of 280,000 spectators. Jimmie Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports won the 160-lap race starting from the fourth position. Roush Racing driver Matt Kenseth finished second and Richard Childress Racing's Kevin Harvick was third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Bank of America 500</span> 31st stock car race of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series

The 2006 Bank of America 500 was the 31st stock car race of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the fifth in the ten-race season-ending Chase for the Nextel Cup. It was held on October 14, 2006, before a crowd of 175,000 in Concord, North Carolina, at Lowe's Motor Speedway. The circuit is an intermediate that holds NASCAR races. The 334-lap race was won by Kasey Kahne of the Evernham Motorsports team, who started from second position. Hendrick Motorsports' Jimmie Johnson finished second and Richard Childress Racing driver Jeff Burton was third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Banquet 400</span> 29th race of the NASCAR Nextel Cup series

The 2006 Banquet 400 was the twenty-ninth stock car race of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the third in the ten-race season-ending Chase for the Nextel Cup. It was held on October 1, 2006, at Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kansas before a crowd of 125,000. The 267-lap race was won by Tony Stewart of the Joe Gibbs Racing team who started from twenty-first position. Casey Mears finished second and Mark Martin came in third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2006 Dover 400</span> Motor car race

The 2006 Dover 400 was the twenty-eighth stock car race of the 2006 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series and the second in the ten-race season-ending Chase for the Nextel Cup. It was held on September 24, 2006 at Dover International Speedway in Dover, Delaware, before a crowd of 145,000. The 400-lap race was won by Jeff Burton of Richard Childress Racing, who started from 19th position. Carl Edwards of Roush Racing finished second and Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports came in third.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 MBNA America 400 "A Salute to Heroes"</span> Motor car race

The 2004 MBNA America 400 "A Salute to Heroes" was the 13th stock car race of the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season and the 36th iteration of the event. The race was held on Sunday, June 6, 2004, before a crowd of 140,000 in Dover, Delaware at Dover International Speedway, a 1-mile (1.6 km) permanent oval-shaped racetrack. The race took the scheduled 400 laps to complete. At race's end, Mark Martin of Roush Racing would survive through a wreck-fest to win his 34th career NASCAR Nextel Cup Series win, his first of the season, and would break a 72-race losing streak. To fill out the podium, Tony Stewart of Joe Gibbs Racing and Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. would finish second and third, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2004 UAW-GM Quality 500</span> Motor car race

The 2004 UAW-GM Quality 500 was the 31st stock car race of the 2004 NASCAR Nextel Cup Series season, the fifth race of the 2004 Chase for the Nextel Cup, and the 45th iteration of the event. The race was on Saturday, October 16, 2004, before a crowd of 140,000 in Concord, North Carolina, at Lowe's Motor Speedway, a 1.5 miles (2.4 km) permanent quad-oval. The race took the scheduled 334 laps to complete. At the race's end, Jimmie Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports would take advantage of Kasey Kahne's bad luck at the end of the race, holding off the field on the final restart to win his 11th career NASCAR Nextel Cup Series win and his third of the season. To fill out the podium, Jeff Gordon of Hendrick Motorsports and Dale Earnhardt Jr. of Dale Earnhardt, Inc. would finish second and third, respectively.

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