NASCAR Cup Series News & Notes – Charlotte Motor Speedway

NASCAR Cup Series
Next Race: Coca-Cola 600
The Place: Charlotte Motor Speedway
Track Length: 1.5 Mile Asphalt Oval
The Date: Sunday, May 25
The Time: 6 p.m. ET
The Purse: $13,651,450
TV: Amazon Prime, 5 p.m. ET
Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR (Channel 90)
Distance: 600 miles (400 Laps); Stage 1 (Ends on Lap 100),
Stage 2 (Ends on Lap 200), Stage 3 (Ends on Lap 300),
Final Stage (Ends on Lap 400)

Where To Watch NASCAR This Week:

Friday, May 23

NCTS Practice & Kennametal Pole Qualifying (FS2 at 3:30 p.m. ET)

ARCA Race: General Tire 150 (FS1 at 6 p.m. ET)

NCTS Race: North Carolina Education Lottery 200 (FS1, NRN, SiriusXM at 8:30 p.m. ET)

Saturday, May 24

NXS Practice & Kennametal Pole Qualifying (CW App at 11 a.m. ET)

NCS Practice & Busch Light Pole Qualifying (Amazon Prime, PRN, SiriusXM at 1:30 p.m. ET)

NXS Race: BetMGM 300 (CW Network, PRN, SiriusXM at 4:30 p.m. ET)

Sunday, May 25

NCS Race: Coca-Cola 600 (Amazon Prime, PRN, SiriusXM at 6 p.m. ET)

NASCAR Cup Series

Charlotte Storylines and Insights:

This weekend marks the 127th running of a NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway (oval). The inaugural Cup Series event at Charlotte Motor Speedway took place on June 19, 1960.
The last eight Coca-Cola 600s were won by eight diﬀerent drivers; Martin Truex Jr. is the only repeat winner in the last 13.
The Coca-Cola 600 was the longest race of the season based on time six of the last eight years (since stage era).
It is 579 miles from Indianapolis Motor Speedway to Charlotte Motor Speedway, approximately a 9 hour drive.
Hendrick Motorsports won the ﬁrst stage in each of the last five Coca-Cola 600s.
The stage three winner won the race in five of the last eight Coca-Cola 600s with stages.
The driver leading the most laps won five of the last seven Coca-Cola 600s.
The pole winner has won two of the last three Coca-Cola 600s with qualifying.
Seven drivers ended a 30+ race winless streak at the Coca-Cola 600, most recently Ryan Blaney in 2023.
Two of the four Coca-Cola 600s with the most cautions came in the last three years (18 in 2022, 16 in 2023).
Brad Keselowski is 33rd in points, 3 points behind Riley Herbst, only the top 32 in points are eligible for the in-season bracket challenge.
Kyle Larson won his 32nd Cup race at Kansas, he was 12 days younger than Joey Logano when he won his 32nd Cup race.
Kyle Larson’s 469 points scored in 2025 is the most by a driver through 12 races in the Next Gen era, Previous best: Kyle Larson – 467 (2024).
Kyle Larson’s three wins, eight top-ﬁve ﬁnishes, nine top-10 ﬁnishes and 817 laps led in 2025 are his most ever through 12 races in a season.
Kyle Larson surpassed 10,000 career laps led at Kansas, he is the 21st driver to pass 10,000 laps led and the third active (Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin).
Kyle Larson led 100+ laps in a race 32 times in his career, he won three of the ﬁrst 16 and 12 of the last 16.
Kyle Larson led 24.5% of the laps this season, the most through 12 races since Kevin Harvick led 26.4% in 2015.
Hendrick Motorsports’ 1,387 laps led in 2025 leads all teams by 670 laps and are the team’s most since 2010.
Hendrick Motorsports led 41.6% of all laps in 2025, their highest percentage through 12 races since 1996 (44.1%).
At Kansas, John Hunter Nemechek got his fourth top-10 finish of 2025, tied for his most ever in a season (2024).
Legacy Motor Club earned their sixth top-10 ﬁnish of the season at Kansas, tying their 2024 total, there three top-five finishes in 2025 are more than 2023 and 2024 combined.
The largest cutline deﬁcit overcome in in the stage era to point into the Playoﬀs after 12 races is Matt Kenseth in 2017 and Ryan Newman in 2019 (20 points each).
A driver pointed into the Playoﬀs from below the cutline after the 12th race of the season only 6 times in the stage era:
- 2017: Matt Kenseth (-20, race 12)
- 2018: Alex Bowman (-9, race 14)
- 2019: Ryan Newman (-20, race 17), William Byron (-15, race 12), Clint Bowyer (-2, race 24)
- 2023: Bubba Wallace (-6, race 12)
In the Playoﬀ era, a driver won the Coca-Cola 600 from below the cutline twice (Hamlin 2022, Dillon 2017)
Over the last six races, Ross Chastain is ﬁnishing 17.7 positions better than his starting position.
Chase Elliott is the only driver yet to ﬁnish worse than 20th this season, the third time in his career he ﬁnished inside the top-20 in the ﬁrst 12 races of a season.
Jimmie Johnson will become the 21st driver to start 700 Cup races this weekend, none of the previous 20 won in their 700th career start.
Daniel Suarez will make his 300th career Cup Series start this weekend, eight drivers won in their 300th start, most recently Brad Keselowski at Talladega in October 2017.
Ryan Preece will make his 200th career Cup Series start this weekend, four drivers won in their 200th start, most recently Kevin Harvick at Watkins Glen in August 2006.
Ty Gibbs will make his 100th career Cup Series start this weekend, ﬁve drivers won in their 100th start, most recently Erik Jones at Darlington in September 2019.
Richard Childress Racing has only one top-ﬁve ﬁnish after 12 races for the ﬁrst time since 2019.
Joe Gibbs Racing led only 21 laps on 1.5 mile tracks in 2025, the team’s fewest through four 1.5 mile track races since 1994.
Zane Smith’s average ﬁnish through 12 races in 2025 is 9 positions better than it was through 12 races in 2024.
Alex Bowman (two) and William Byron (two) are the only repeat pole winners in 2025.
The 320 lead changes through 12 races in 2025 are the ﬁfth most all-time.
The 287 lead lap ﬁnishers in 2025 are the most ever through the ﬁrst 12 races of a season.
The race winner led less than 10 laps six times this year, more than any other season through 12 races.
Four races ended with a last lap pass in 2025, the most ever through 12 races.
The 10 diﬀerent pole winners through 12 races in 2025 is tied for the most all-time (1960, 1991, 2014), no season had 11 diﬀerent pole winners in the ﬁrst 13 races.
Team Penske has four top-ﬁve ﬁnishes in the last three races including two wins, in the ﬁrst nine races of 2025 the team had only three top-ﬁve ﬁnishes.
Brad Keselowski is looking for his ﬁrst top-10 ﬁnish of 2025, he had four top ﬁves and ﬁve top 10s after 12 races in 2024.
Chris Buescher’s 60-point penalty after Kansas moved him from 14th (+33), in the Playoﬀ Standings to 24th, (- 27).
Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Technical Issues in 2025: Ryan Preece DQ at Talladega after ﬁnishing second; Chris Buescher penalty post Kansas (60 points, -5 Playoﬀ Points).
Ryan Preece has four top-10 ﬁnishes this season, his most ever is ﬁve in 2024.
Denny Hamlin failed to ﬁnish in the last two races, the ﬁrst time since 2013, he has never a DNF in three straight races.
This is the ﬁrst time Brad Keselowski had three straight DNFs.
23XI Racing as a team has one top-10 ﬁnish in the last four races of 2025 (eighth by Wallace at Talladega).
29 top-10 ﬁnishes are the most ever by Hendrick Motorsports through 12 races.
Hendrick Motorsports lead all teams with ﬁve poles in 2025, 18 top-5, 29 top-10s, 1, 387 laps led and 11 stage wins.
Hendrick Motorsports won the pole for ﬁve of the last eight races of 2025.
Hendrick Motorsports is the only team with at least one car ﬁnishing in the top-ﬁve in all 12 races in 2025, no other team had at least one car ﬁnish top-10 in all 12 races this year.

Kyle Larson makes second attempt at ‘The Double’

2021 NASCAR Cup Series champion.
Won at Miami, Bristol and Kansas this season in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Three wins, eight top-ﬁves, nine top-10s and 817 laps led in 2025 are his most ever through 12 races in a season.
Eight stage wins in 2025 are the most ever by a driver through 12 races in a season.
Won six of the last eight stages this season including sweeps at Bristol and Kansas.
Led 221 laps at Kansas, the most in a race on a 1.5-mile track in the Next Gen era.
Won the 2021 Coca-Cola 600 from the pole, led 327 laps and swept all three stages.
Last six starts in the Coca-Cola 600: Three top-10s (1 win), three ﬁnishes of 30th or worse (all accident DNFs).
Did not start the 2024 Coca-Cola 600 due to a rain-delayed start to the Indianapolis 500.
Qualiﬁed 21st for this year’s Indianapolis 500.
10 wins on 1.5-mile tracks, all since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2021.
Won ﬁve of the last 12 races on 1.5-mile tracks and led in 17 of the last 18 races on 1.5-mile tracks, all but Kansas last Fall.
NCS career totals: 32 wins, 22 poles in 378 starts. Has scored 26 wins since joining Hendrick Motorsports in 2021 (most of all drivers by 13 wins).
Drivers to ﬁnish top ﬁve in both the Daytona 500 and Indy 500: AJ Foyt Jr., Al Unser, Dan Gurney, Donnie Allison, Mario Andretti, Paul Goldsmith, Tony Stewart (AJ Foyt and Mario Andretti won both).

NASCAR & Charlotte, Etc.

Historical & Significant Events at Charlotte Motor Speedway:

Charlotte Motor Speedway was designed and built in 1959 by Chairman Emeritus and NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee O. Bruton Smith. The late Curtis Turner, one of stock car racing’s earliest stars and another Hall of Fame inductee, served as Smith’s primary business partner.
Smith, a native of Oakboro, N.C., was an automobile dealer and short-track stock car racing promoter at Concord Motor Speedway and the Charlotte Fairgrounds.
Turner, a Virginian who amassed his money in the lumber industry, became one of the first drivers on the NASCAR circuit after the sanctioning body debuted in 1949.
Together, they built their dream of a 1.5-mile superspeedway on the outskirts of the Queen City and, on June 19, 1960, the first World 600 was contested at the new facility.
In 1961, like many superspeedways of the era, the track fell into Chapter 11 reorganization from which it eventually emerged despite lagging ticket sales. After his departure from the speedway in 1962, Smith pursued other business interests in Texas and Illinois. Working within Ford Motor Company’s dealership program, Smith became quite successful and began purchasing shares of stock in Charlotte Motor Speedway. By 1975 Smith had again become the majority stockholder in the speedway, regaining control of its day-to-day operations.
He hired H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler as general manager and the two began to implement plans for needed improvements and expansion.
During the ensuing years, Smith and Wheeler demonstrated a commitment to customer satisfaction, building a facility that continuously established new industry standards. Thousands of grandstand seats and luxury suites were built. Food concessions and restroom facilities were added and modernized to increase the comfort of race fans. Smith Tower, a 135,000-square-foot, seven-story facility connected to the speedway’s grandstands, was erected and opened in 1988. The building houses the speedway’s corporate offices, ticket office, souvenir gift shop, leased office space and The Speedway Club, an exclusive dining and entertainment facility.
In 1984, under the direction of Smith, Charlotte Motor Speedway became the only sports facility in America to offer year-round living accommodations when it built 40 condominiums high above turn one. Twelve additional condominium units were added in 1991.
Another innovation was a $1.7 million, 1,200-fixture permanent lighting system developed by MUSCO Lighting of Oskaloosa, Iowa. The revolutionary lighting process uses mirrors to simulate daylight without glare, shadows or obtrusive light poles.
The lighting system was installed in 1992, allowing Charlotte Motor Speedway to be the first modern superspeedway to host night auto racing.
Ever cognizant of the competitors as well as the spectators, the speedway added a new $1 million, 20,000-square-foot NASCAR Cup Series garage area in 1994.
Other additions and improvements include the development of the speedway’s 2,000-plus acres. In addition to the speedway, the property, some of which is leased, includes an industrial park that serves as home to several motorsports-related businesses, a modern landfill facility operated by BFI and a natural wildlife habitat.
In addition to the 1.5-mile quad oval, the Charlotte Motor Speedway complex includes a 2.25-mile road course and a six-tenths-mile karting layout in the speedway’s infield; a quarter-mile asphalt oval utilizing part of the speedway’s frontstretch and pit road; and a one-fifth-mile oval located outside Turn 3 of the superspeedway.
Two NASCAR Cup Series races, two NASCAR Xfinity Series races and one NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race are among the major events held at the speedway. The Richard Petty Driving Experience and the NASCAR Racing Experience also use the track extensively throughout the year.
Other events on the various tracks include a summer short-track series for Legend Cars and Bandoleros and World Karting Association regional, national and international races.
In May 2000, The Dirt Track at Charlotte, a state-of-the-art, four-tenths-mile clay oval was completed across U.S. 29 from the speedway. The stadium-style facility has nearly 14,000 seats and plays host to Dirt Late Models, Modifieds, Sprint Cars, Monster Trucks and the prestigious World of Outlaws World Finals.
Corporations such as Lowe’s Home Improvement, Coca-Cola, Sprint and Nationwide have rented the speedway to film television commercials or to entertain employees and clients with food, music and race car rides.
Motion pictures such as “Days of Thunder,” “Speedway,” “Stroker Ace” and “Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby,” and even music videos like Tracy Lawrence’s “If the Good Die Young” have been filmed at the speedway. In 2006, Charlotte Motor Speedway became the first motorsports facility to host the world premiere of a major motion picture. More than 30,000 fans along with stars such as Paul Newman, Owen Wilson, Bonnie Hunt and Larry the Cable Guy were on hand for the debut of “CARS,” an animated hit from Disney/Pixar. Additional rental dates are reserved for race team testing and automobile manufacturer research.
Charlotte Motor Speedway also annually presents two of the nation’s largest car shows and swap meets, the Charlotte Auto Fair in April and September. With track rentals and events, the speedway is used more than 300 days per year for all of its attractions, which includes Speedway Christmas – a holiday-themed light show spanning three miles over the speedway’s infield, grandstands and concourse which in 2017 attracted a record 120,000 cars from mid-November through Dec. 31.
The track added a new garage area for the NASCAR Xfinity Series, a state-of-the-art media center and additional restrooms and showers for use by those enjoying the action from the speedway’s infield. In 2012, the speedway opened first-of-its-kind corporate hospitality in the infield. Six elevated Pit Road Suites, located directly behind pit road, offer fans the best view in motorsports, bringing them closer to the action than ever before.
Charlotte Motor Speedway added the Bellagio of drag strips to its complex with the completion of zMAX Dragway in 2008. The state-of-the-art facility has been praised as the finest drag racing facility in the world by both fans and competitors alike, and opened to a sellout crowd of more than 30,000 for the NHRA Carolina Nationals in September 2008.
Building on the basic philosophy of putting fans first, Charlotte Motor Speedway continues to be the world’s leader in entertainment within its unrivaled motorsports complex.
In 2011, the speedway revamped its Fan Zone, a paved, 10-acre area located right outside the speedway’s main entrance. During major events, the Fan Zone provides fans with hours of fun, from the Fanatics NASCAR merchandise tents to interactive games and displays and the Play Zone, a kid-friendly area with bounce houses, face painters and a petting zoo.
That same year, Charlotte Motor Speedway revolutionized the fan experience by installing the world’s largest HDTV along the backstretch of the legendary superspeedway. At an incredible length of 200 feet wide, standing 80 feet tall and weighing 165,000 pounds, the video board covers an expansive 16,000 square feet. Fans seated throughout the frontstretch from Turn 4 to Turn 1 have clear viewing angles of the gigantic board that features 720P high-definition visuals illuminated by more than nine million light emitting diode, or LED, lamps.
Charlotte Motor Speedway ushered in a new chapter of its illustrious history in 2018, when the 2.28-mile, 17-turn ROVAL™ road course oval debuted in the Bank of America ROVAL™ 400. The unique circuit hosted the first road course race in the history of the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Featuring twisting, left-right turns, chicanes on the frontstretch and backstretch and a 45-foot elevation change, the ROVAL™ quickly gained a reputation as one of NASCAR’s most challenging tracks. It remains the only road course in NASCAR in which race fans can see every turn from the main grandstands.
Since its inception in 1960, Charlotte Motor Speedway has always put fans first. After more than six decades of innovative firsts in entertainment and fan engagement, the speedway known as America’s Home for Racing continues to be an iconic trailblazer in sports, entertainment and fan amenities.

NASCAR & Charlotte, Etc.

Latest News & Events at Charlotte Motor Speedway:

U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth will join military representatives from the U.S. Army, Marine Corps, and Navy, to serve as grand marshals for the 66th running of the Coca-Cola 600 when NASCAR returns to America’s Home for Racing on the eve of Memorial Day. Hegseth, who was sworn in as the nation’s top defense official in January, oversees the Department of Defense and serves as the principal defense policy maker and advisor to the President. Prior to his service in the Trump administration, Hegseth was commissioned as an infantry officer in the U.S. Army National Guard after graduating from Princeton University in 2003. He participated in a number of active-duty deployments during his time in service, including operations in Guantanamo Bay, Iraq and Afghanistan. Hegseth also served in multiple staff positions in the National Guard and has authored several books.
Mission accomplished. Ahead of the Coca-Cola 600 each Memorial Day Weekend, Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Mission 600 set out to honor the men and women of the U.S. Armed Forces by pairing Coca-Cola Racing Family and other drivers alongside units from different branches of service. Defending Coca-Cola 600 winner Christopher Bell and fellow Coca-Cola Family Racing drivers Joey Logano, Daniel Suárez, Austin Dillon and Chase Elliott visited regional military bases to educate the NASCAR community about the day-to-day lives of the men and women who serve. The campaign included visits to Camp Lejeune, Fort Bragg, Arlington National Cemetery, Naval Station Norfolk and U.S. Coast Guard Station Wrightsville Beach. Mission 600 serves as a prelude to Charlotte Motor Speedway’s patriotic pre-race salute to the troops prior to the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend. With representation from all six branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, the salute embodies the patriotism and service of the nation’s men and women in uniform.
The 43rd annual Speedway Children’s Charities Gala presented by Sonic Automotive, EchoPark Automotive and Sonic Powersports is set for May 21 at the all-new Ten Tenths Clubhouse. Poised to be one of the most memorable nights in SCC’s storied history, the gala will honor “The King” himself, Richard Petty – a legend whose impact on motorsports is as iconic as his trademark hat. Set in the stunning new Ten Tenths Clubhouse, a venue that blends motorsports legacy with automotive luxury, this event offers a one-of-a-kind atmosphere, setting the perfect stage to honor a towering figure in racing history, all while raising vital funds for area children in need. Headlining the evening will be GRAMMY Award-winning group Old Crow Medicine Show, whose string of hits from “Wagon Wheel” to “Sweet Amarillo” is sure to bring down the house.
Few feats in motorsports demand more grit, stamina and sheer determination than “The Double” – the daring attempt to race in both the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 on the same day. Sunday, May 25, Hendrick Motorsports standout Kyle Larson will once again chase 1,100 miles, looking to conquer what the team has dubbed “The Hendrick 1100.” Larson first attempted the challenge in 2024, but rain dampened the effort, delaying the start of the Indianapolis 500 and ultimately ending his chance at completing all 1,100 miles. This year, Larson returns hungrier than ever with eyes set on redemption and a place in motorsports history.
As anticipation builds for the 66th running of the Coca-Cola 600, race fans across the region have a full slate of opportunities to engage with their favorite teams and drivers during fan days at shops in the area (schedule below).

Thursday, May 22:

NASCAR Night at the Ballpark: Teaming up with the Kannapolis Cannon Ballers for a special NASCAR Night, Charlotte Motor Speedway will bring Ty Dillon out to throw out the first pitch at Atrium Health Ballpark at 6:30 p.m.
JR Motorsports Fan Day: Fans are invited to join JR Motorsports from 8:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for a jam-packed day featuring autograph sessions, a live SiriusXM broadcast, a special announcement, and live tapings of Bless Your ‘Hardt and Door Bumper Clear. Scheduled to appear: Carson Kvapil, Justin Allgaier, Sammy Smith, Connor Zilisch, Connor Hall, and Caden Kvapil—plus special leadership appearances from Dale Earnhardt Jr., Kelley Earnhardt Miller and Wyatt Miller.
Haas Factory Team Fan Day: Head to the Haas shop from 2:00 – 2:45 p.m. for an autograph session with Cole Custer, Sam Mayer and Sheldon Creed. No wristbands are required.
HYAK Motorsports Fan Day: From 1-4:00 p.m., fans can take part in a Lake Norman Animal Shelter adoption fair, merchandise sales, hauler tours, product giveaways and an autograph session with Ricky Stenhouse Jr. from 1:00-2:00 p.m.
Front Row Motorsports Fan Day: Head to the FRM race shop for an open house, sponsor activations and vendors. Scheduled drivers include Todd Gilliland, Noah Gragson, Zane Smith, Layne Riggs and Chandler Smith.
Spire Motorsports Fan Day: Spire Motorsports is rolling out the fun with an autograph session, “Spire-o-Kart” tournament and sponsor activations from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Friday, May 23

RFK Racing Fan Day: Start your morning with RFK Racing’s fan festivities. Enjoy guided shop tours, interactive displays, SiriusXM coverage, and two big announcements, one from a partner and one from the team. The autograph session kicks off at 9:00 a.m. with Brad Keselowski, followed by Chris Buescher and Ryan Preece at 10:00 a.m.

Saturday, May 24

Hendrick Motorsports Fan Fest: Fan Fest returns to Hendrick Motorsports on both Friday (10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) and Saturday (8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.), featuring appearances from Hendrick drivers, Jeff Gordon and Chad Knaus. Enjoy live SiriusXM coverage, food trucks, the team store, and kid-friendly activities throughout campus. On-site parking is available.