Jimmie Johnson's bid for a record-tying fifth Coca-Cola 600 victory will come in his 700th career NASCAR Cup Series start on Sunday at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
The seven-time champion will be the 21st driver in Cup Series history to reach 700 starts – with the milestone race coming at the same venue in which Johnson debuted in NASCAR's top series in October of 2001.
Johnson is set for his second and final race this year, following a third-place finish in the season-opening Daytona 500. Prior to hopping in his No. 84 LEGACY Motor Club Toyota for practice on Saturday, Johnson met with media members to discuss the weekend's festivities.
"I was talking with (former crew chief) Cliff Daniels about 700 and he reminded me I'm old," Johnson said, "and I said, 'You're right – but you've been around here for a lot of this, so you're old, too.'
"It's wild how my first start ends up being the same place as my 700th. It means a ton to me. I am a numbers guy and to have these numbers play out this way, it's really sweet. I'm excited to get going."
Johnson also touched on the importance of competing in one of racing's crown-jewel events on Memorial Day weekend.
"I think this weekend is the culmination of everything from a patriotic point of view for a racing enthusiast," Johnson said. "I love endurance races, and this is our marathon. Before I ever came here to drive, I was intrigued by a 600-mile race. It's certainly hard on the drivers, but it's probably more hard on the party animals in the infield."
Logano Chases Coke 600 Victory And Vending Machine
Three-time and defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano has achieved nearly everything a driver could accomplish in his sterling career, but a Coca-Cola 600 continues to evade the veteran driver.
The pilot of the No. 22 Team Penske Ford has one Charlotte victory – at the track's fall race in 2015 – and three top-fives in the Coca-Cola 600, but no Bruton Smith Trophy.
"You want to win every race because they all mean a lot," Logano said Saturday, "but when you think of the Coca-Cola 600, you want to win that a little more. I look at it as one of the three or so biggest races to win. It's got some more prestige. I'd like to win one of these and finally get one of those (vintage) Coca-Cola (vending machines, annually presented to the winner). I've seen them and I've been close, but I don't have one."
Logano was in the FS1 broadcast booth for Friday's NC Education Lottery 200 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race. The challenging track conditions as Charlotte's pavement weathers and ages, Logano said, continues to create thrilling action for race fans.
"The racing we've seen on this track is fantastic," Logano added. "(Friday) was a really fun race to watch and I think (Saturday's BetMGM 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race) will be, too. The Cup cars have put on a good race the last few years. It's challenging for the drivers. The bumps and everything in (Turns) 3 and 4, that pavement is rough. You do that for 600 miles and you don't feel too good for a while after that. That's part of the challenge.
"But it puts on a great race."
Taylor To Perfection: Gray Paces BetMGM 300 Qualifying
Taylor Gray captured the pole for Saturday's BetMGM 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race with a 30.598-second, 176.482 mile-per-hour lap in qualifying.
The driver of the No. 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota will lead the field to green at 4:30 p.m. ahead of Connor Zilisch, Austin Hill, William Byron and Brandon Jones.
"Honestly, (Turns) 3 and 4 in my lap were probably the more tame end," said Gray, who captured his second career Xfinity Series pole. "My (Turns) 1 and 2 were probably more aggressive. I felt like I had to be (aggressive) to get a good run off Turn 2. I can't thank everyone from Joe Gibbs Racing enough. We have to execute today but obviously, we've got a good starting spot."
