Charlotte fall race overshadowed by Coca-Cola 600

There are a few tracks in NASCAR that play host to a prestigious Sprint Cup race along with a lesser-known race. Daytona is one example, with the Daytona 500 standing over the Coke Zero 400. Another case that no longer exists is Darlington, which along with the original Southern 500 has a spring race that is moving to Labor Day weekend. Talladega could count too, as what was then known as the Winston 500 was part of NASCAR's Grand Slam and later No Bull 5 money bonus programs. Then there's Charlotte, nicknamed NASCAR's backyard, where the Cup series races on Saturday evening in a 500-mile race that is largely overshadowed by the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day weekend, the longest race in all of NASCAR.

The Coke 600 is held on the same day as IndyCar's Indianapolis 500, adding even more prestige to the race. But Saturday's race is just a normal one, with the exception of the fact that it marks the halfway point of the Chase for the Sprint Cup, and of the second round of the new Chase format. It's also been held at night since 2003, and is the only night race of the Chase, so perhaps it is something special after all. But it still doesn't compare to the glory of its spring counterpart.