Full Throttle

NASCAR’s longest race of the season became a day longer last night when the Coca-Cola 600 was postponed by rain for the first time in 50 years.

“We have a ton of family members and friends in town this weekend, and of course the big plan was for us all to be here tonight and playing around by the lake tomorrow,” said Kurt Busch, who will start 17th. “You just gotta feel for the fans, though. I’m sure a lot of them were counting on tomorrow for a travel day. The weather has put a kink in a lot of plans.”

As I write this a bit over 5 hours from the scheduled 12 noon Monday start Momma Nature still has a few “kinks” up her sleeve.

The forecast calls for scattered showers this morning…then numerous showers and scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. Highs around 80. Southeast winds around 5 mph. Chance of rain 70 percent.

“The Coca-Cola 600 has always been one of the most grueling events on the NASCAR schedule and I can honestly say that every winner of this race was a tremendous competitor,” said Bobby Allison. “I’m proud to serve as Grand Marshal, to be a part of Coca-Cola’s rich tradition with NASCAR and represent all the drivers who have made it to Victory Lane at this great race.”

Bobby Allison took a pre-race parade lap in the actual Coca-Cola sponsored 1969 Mercury Cyclone® he drove to win the 1971 Coca-Cola 600 at Lowe’s Motor Speedway in Concord, N.C.

Former Winners of the Coca-Cola 600:

2008: Kasey Kahne (2)
2007: Casey Mears
2006: Kasey Kahne
2005: Jimmie Johnson (3)
2004: Jimmie Johnson (2)
2003: Jimmie Johnson (race shortened to 276 laps/414 miles due to rain)
2002: Mark Martin
2001: Jeff Burton (2)
2000: Matt Kenseth
1999: Jeff Burton
1998: Jeff Gordon (3)
1997: Jeff Gordon (2) (race shortened to 333 laps/499.5 miles due to lateness caused by a rain delay and a 1 a.m. curfew)
1996: Dale Jarrett
1995: Bobby Labonte
1994: Jeff Gordon
1993: Dale Earnhardt (3) (race changed to an evening/night race)
1992: Dale Earnhardt (2)
1991: Davey Allison
1990: Rusty Wallace
1989: Darrell Waltrip (5)
1988: Darrell Waltrip (4)
1987: Kyle Petty
1986: Dale Earnhardt

Coca-Cola World 600
1985: Darrell Waltrip (3)

World 600
1984: Bobby Allison (3)
1983: Neil Bonnett (2)
1982: Neil Bonnett
1981: Bobby Allison (2)
1980: Benny Parsons
1979: Darrell Waltrip (2)
1978: Darrell Waltrip
1977: Richard Petty (2)
1976: David Pearson (2)
1975: Richard Petty
1974: David Pearson (race scheduled for 360 laps/540 miles due to energy crisis)
1973: Buddy Baker (2)
1972: Buddy Baker
1971: Bobby Allison
1970: Donnie Allison
1969: LeeRoy Yarbrough
1968: Buddy Baker (race shortened to 255 laps/382.5 miles due to rain)
1967: Jim Paschal (2)
1966: Marvin Panch
1965: Fred Lorenzen (2)
1964: Jim Paschal
1963: Fred Lorenzen
1962: Nelson Stacy
1961: David Pearson
1960: Joe Lee Johnson