In spring 1959, Curtis Turner returned to Charlotte after visiting Daytona International Speedway and conceived the idea of building a major racing facility in the area. He partnered with Bruton Smith to construct the Charlotte Motor Speedway and signed a contract with NASCAR to host a 600-mile Memorial Day race. Construction was plagued with difficulties — a layer of granite beneath the topsoil drove costs from an estimated $750,000 to nearly two million dollars, and dynamite alone for the first turn ran to $70,000. A snowstorm delayed concrete pouring, and with two weeks remaining before the inaugural race, the paving subcontractor threatened to quit over unpaid bills. The first event at the newly completed track was held on June 19, 1960.
From 1960 to 1984 the race was known as the World 600. In 1985 the name was changed to the Coca-Cola World 600, and in 1986 it was shortened to the Coca-Cola 600. A brief period from 2002 to 2002 saw the name become the Coca-Cola Racing Family 600, before reverting to the Coca-Cola 600 in 2003.
The race consists of 400 laps and holds the distinction of being NASCAR's only race with four scoring stages rather than three — each stage 100 laps in length, making it the highest points-yielding event on the calendar. The maximum points a driver can collect when sweeping all stages stands at 70; Kyle Busch accomplished this in 2018 and Kyle Larson in 2021.
The race starts around 6 p.m., with roughly the first third run in full daylight, the second third at dusk, and the final third under lights. This transition creates a unique challenge for teams, as the considerable temperature drop at night significantly affects track conditions and tire behavior. Lights were installed at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 1992, enabling the evening schedule that became standard by 2001.
The race's evening start time created the conditions for drivers to attempt "Double Duty" — competing in the Indianapolis 500 earlier the same day and flying immediately to Charlotte for the 600. No driver has ever won both races, either on the same day or across their careers. Kyle Larson attempted the feat in 2024, but rain prevented him from competing in the 600. Experts have long debated the health and safety implications of racing 1,100 miles in a single day, but no governing body has prohibited the practice.
The 1961 race saw David Pearson win his first Grand National race after losing almost an entire multi-lap lead when a tire popped at the white flag. The 1964 race was marred by a severe fire crash involving Fireball Roberts, who suffered fatal burns and died on July 2 of that year. Richard Petty recorded his first World 600 victory in 1975, lapping the entire field. Notably, Dale Earnhardt made his Cup Series debut at the same race, finishing 21st.
Darrell Waltrip became the race's dominant figure, winning in 1978, 1979, 1985, 1988, and 1989 — a record five victories. His 1989 win came after also winning the Daytona 500 that season, positioning him for the Winston Million bonus, which he ultimately did not claim. Jeff Gordon won the first race of his career at the 600 in 1994 after a strategic two-tire pit stop on the final call. Bobby Labonte scored his first Winston Cup win at the event in 1995. Matt Kenseth became the first rookie to win the race in 2000.
In 1984, President Ronald Reagan became the first sitting U.S. president to attend a NASCAR race at the Firecracker 400 at Daytona, while at Charlotte, Bill Elliott entered the 1985 race with a chance at the Winston Million bonus but faded to 18th.
Martin Truex Jr. set an event record in 2016, leading 392 of 400 laps and 588 of 600 miles en route to his first 600 victory. The 2020 race, ending in overtime under COVID-19 fan restrictions, set the record for the longest NASCAR race at 405 laps and 607.5 miles. The 2022 race pushed that record further with two overtime finishes producing 619.5 miles.
The race features a longstanding tribute to the United States Armed Forces. "Amazing Grace" and "Taps" are performed prior to the national anthem, and after the second stage all drivers shut off their engines for a moment of silence honoring fallen service members.
The Coca-Cola 600 is considered one of the top five annual NASCAR events and was historically part of the sport's unofficial "grand slam" alongside the Daytona 500, Talladega 500, and Southern 500. It has been the site of numerous first career victories, including those of David Pearson, Jeff Gordon, Bobby Labonte, Matt Kenseth, and Austin Dillon.