Keys to Success in NASCAR’s Longest Race

On Sunday, NASCAR will complete the one of the greatest days in motorsports with the Coca-Cola 600. The longest race of the NASCAR season has been one for the record books the last few seasons and on Sunday, things won’t be any different.

This weekend’s race will be the first time that the 600 or any race will be decided in four 100-lap stages. If you compare the last few Coca-Cola 600s, survival will be key on Sunday whether it be a wreckfest like a few of the races this season, or if it will be just the long and grueling 600-mile race with a lack of cautions.

Last year saw complete domination by Martin Truex Jr., with Truex leading 392 of the 400 laps. When one driver can dominate a 600-mile race, not only is the driver on his game, but the pit crew is flawless. Survival and lack of mistakes don’t just rest on the driver, but also the pit crew. With more pit stops than a usual race, it’s hard for the crew to not get worn down and make mistakes. It also shows a great deal of concentration for the driver when entering and exiting pit road not to gain a speeding penalty or commitment cone violation.

In the last five editions of this race, cautions have been unpredictable. Last season had the least amount of cautions with four, but both the 2014 and 2015 races featured eight. The 2013 race had 11 cautions, while 2012 had five. Being mindful of when cautions will hit will be very beneficial for each team.

Unlike recent years, saving your tires won’t be as important because of the guaranteed cautions every 100 laps. Though not important, it could be a secret key to success. If you can conserve your tires you will be in good hands at the end with at least one set of tires to use if the caution comes out late. Speaking of late cautions, in the last five May races at Charlotte, the average lap the final caution comes out would be at Lap 356, giving drivers a 44-lap battle for the victory.

Experience isn’t always key, in fact six drivers have secured their first career victory in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series. David Pearson (1961), Jeff Gordon (1994), Bobby Labonte (1995), Matt Kenseth (2000), Casey Mears (2007) and David Reutimann (2009), who won the rain-shortened event. Ryan Blaney, Daniel Suarez, Erik Jones and Chase Elliott join a couple of other drivers entered in Sunday’s race who are searching for their first victory of their career.