Four NASCAR Cup Stars Set for Huge Coke 600 Milestones

Four of NASCAR’s top drivers are set for big moments at Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The legendary event is the longest race on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar and will feature important career milestones for Jimmie Johnson, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Preece, and Ty Gibbs.

Jimmie Johnson, a seven-time Cup Series champion, is about to make his 700th career start. Johnson returns to the No. 84 Legacy Motor Club Toyota, a team he co-owns, after appearing with NFL legend Tom Brady in parade laps at the Indianapolis 500.

Johnson made his Cup Series debut in 2001 and becomes just the 21st driver in history to reach 700 starts. He has also claimed four Coca-Cola 600 wins—more than any current driver, and only Darrell Waltrip has more.

For a deeper look at NASCAR’s historical records, visit NASCAR’s official history page.

Johnson is running a part-time schedule this season and made it clear he does not plan for this to be his final race, denying speculation about his retirement. Among active drivers, only Kyle Busch has more career starts, with 726, while Denny Hamlin is set to reach the 700 mark next week.

Daniel Suarez, driver of the No. 99 car for Trackhouse Racing Team, will run his 300th Cup Series race on Sunday. Suarez made history in 2016 as the only foreign-born driver to win a national NASCAR championship, taking the Xfinity Series title.

Learn more about international drivers in NASCAR from the International Motorsports Hall of Fame.

He has grabbed two Cup wins so far but is still searching for his first trip to victory lane this year. His best result this season is a second-place finish at Las Vegas.

Ryan Preece, piloting the No. 60 Ford for RFK Racing, is set for his 200th Cup start. This season marks his strongest run to date, as he continues the chase for his first career win.

Preece finished second at Talladega earlier this season, although that result was erased due to his car failing inspection after the race. His consistency continues to improve as he racks up more starts in the series.

Ty Gibbs, in the No. 54 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, is preparing for his 100th Cup Series start. Gibbs, grandson of Hall of Fame team owner Joe Gibbs, has not yet won in Cup but finished second at Darlington last year.

For more on the Gibbs racing legacy, explore Joe Gibbs Racing’s official site.

He won the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series title and has already shown strong pace at Charlotte in the lower series. At just 21 years old, Gibbs is considered a promising talent for the future of the sport.

Racing fans will have the chance to watch these four drivers add to their career totals in one of NASCAR’s most storied races. The 66th Coca-Cola 600 is scheduled for Sunday, May 25, with a full field of 40 drivers.

For event details and ticket information, check the Charlotte Motor Speedway official site.

As NASCAR’s biggest names hit these new milestones, attention will also be on the action and strategy unfolding on the 1.5-mile Charlotte oval. The storylines at Charlotte reach beyond records and statistics.

Every milestone represents years of hard work and dedication for these drivers and teams. As the laps add up under the lights, fans can expect a mix of celebration, determination, and fierce competition in one of motorsport’s most grueling events.

For further insights into NASCAR’s endurance races, visit Motorsport.com’s analysis hub.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.