Parks Pit Report: Coca-Cola 600

It is hard to exactly describe what this weekend means to the world of motorsports, both to fans and those directly involved.  It is one day a year where three of the biggest events happen back-to-back.

It starts early in the day with Formula 1, racing in Italy on the streets of Monaco.

Then in the afternoon, it’s quite possibly the most famous race in all the world.  The 33-driver field straps into their open wheel cars at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in a quest to capture the victory in the Indianapolis 500, where they get to wear a wreath, take a swig of milk, and eventually kneel down to kiss the bricks.

But then NASCAR takes the evening and night festivities to the ultimate level.  This particular weekend the sport takes to the track in the ultimate test of man, machine, endurance, and equipment.  Over 60 percent of the races on the schedule are at a 400-mile distance or less, with another 10 races or so that go the 500-mile distance.  However, this event is unlike anything that the sport does.

That extra 100 miles, that longer distance, is the true test on a driver being mentally tough, the car being able to run that extra distance, and the team being able to stay at the top of their craft for that final run.

It’s a race that sees four different track conditions.  The green flag waves shortly after 6 p.m., with the sun still shining down on the track.  After 150 miles, the sun begins to fade behind the grandstands, while the clouds provide one of the more beautiful sunsets around the track.  Once the halfway point is met, the lights are on but the skies still show some redness and hints of orange.  Twilight seems to set in at that point.

Then, the final 150 miles, the skies are dark, with the only lighting coming from the lights around the track, eventually leading to fireworks in the skies.

It’s also the ultimate tribute on a more somber holiday.  NASCAR brings out over 6000 active members of the Armed Forces to honor what they give to their country, and then have them stand at attention following the invocation.  At that point, tears begin to flow.  The group of bagpipe players begin their tradition of belting out “Amazing Grace”.  Then, seven members stand guard, as they hear “Ready…aim…fire!” on three occasions, before putting their firearms at their sides.

In the most tear-jerking moment, one musician comes out with a trumpet, and plays “Taps” to honor those that have fallen in keeping the country free.

NASCAR then decided to make this race one to remember not just before the flag, but during each lap.  On the front of each car, where the drivers’ name would normally be placed, instead was the name of a soldier who had paid the ultimate sacrifice in defending the stars and stripes.  One team went a step further, with their hauler driver making the decision of who to put on the car (as he was a former Marine himself), electing to put “The Unknown Soldier” on the panel, honoring those that gave their lives, but still have yet to be identified.

There never has, never was, and never will be a race such as the Coca-Cola 600, both in how it’s run, nor the pageantry that precedes it.  I’ve had the honor of being at this race on two occasions, and it still gives me chills when it comes on the schedule.

It really is unlike any race on the schedule, and will continue to be the ultimate test for drivers, teams, and equipment.  It is the Coca-Cola 600.  Enough said.

RESULTS:  1-Edwards  2-Biffle  3-Earnhardt Jr.  4-Kenseth  5-Truex Jr.  6-Newman  7-Keselowski  8-Hamlin  9-Harvick  10-Kurt Busch

NOTABLE FINISHES:  11-Kyle Busch  13-Logano  15-Gordon  21-Stewart  40-Johnson

CAUTIONS:  8 for 39 laps.  Lap 27-30 (Competition); 91-94 (#48 spin-T4); 137-141 (#51 accident-T3); 231-235 (#6 accident-T4); 275-278 (#48 spin-T4); 283-291 (Oil on track from #21); 329-332 (#46 spin backstretch [20]); 338-341 (Debris-T4).

LEAD CHANGES:  22 among 9 drivers.   M. Kenseth POLE; C. Edwards 1-2; M. Kenseth 3-27; D. Gilliland 28; M. Kenseth 29; J. Logano 30-43; D. Hamlin 44-63; K. Harvick 64-78; Kurt Busch 79; B. Keselowski 80; K. Harvick 81-90; M. Truex Jr. 91; B. Keselowski 92-93; J. Logano 94-96; Kurt Busch 97-189; C. Edwards 190-191; M. Truex Jr. 192-236; Kurt Busch 237-260; M. Truex Jr. 261-329; D. Hamlin 330-362; M. Truex Jr. 363-378; K. Harvick 379; C. Edwards 380-400.

TIME OF RACE:  4 Hrs, 3 Mins, 34 Secs.

AVERAGE SPEED:  147.803 MPH

MARGIN OF VICTORY:  4.785 Seconds

CHASE GRID:  1. Johnson, 393 points-3 wins; 2. Harvick, 473 points-2 wins; 3. Logano, 407 points-1 win; 4. Earnhardt Jr, 401 points-1 win; 5. Keselowski, 381 points-1 win; 6. Kenseth, 372 points-1 win; 7. Kurt Busch, 327 points-1 win; 8. Hamlin, 321 points-1 win; 9. Edwards, 312 points-1 win; 10. Truex Jr, 432 points; 11. McMurray, -79; 12. Gordon, -86; 13. Kahne, -87; 14. Newman, -89; 15. Almirola, -93; 16. Menard, -96.