While the NFL caps each season with its biggest event, the Super Bowl,
Coca-Cola 600
Considered one of the toughest races in NASCAR, the Coca-Cola 600 covers 600 miles over 400 laps on a 1.5-mile oval track at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. The track first opened in 1960, with Joe Lee Johnson winning the track’s first Cup Series race. Darrell Waltrip‘s five career Coca-Cola 600 victories are the most all time.
Southern 500
The first Southern 500 was run in 1950. It’s the oldest 500-mile race on the NASCAR Cup Series slate. Held at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina, the race runs for 367 laps along a 1.366-mile asphalt track. Jeff Gordon won the Southern 500 six times, more than any other driver.
Brickyard 400
The latest addition to the list of NASCAR’s crown jewels, the Brickyard 400 takes place along the famous bricks at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The race became a Cup Series fixture in 1994. Jeff Gordon grabbed the checkered flag after the 160 laps in Indianapolis a record five times.
Which driver has the most career crown jewel race wins?
Jeff Gordon has the most career crown jewel race victories with 17. Gordon won the Southern 500 six times, Brickyard 400 five times and the Coca-Cola 600 and Daytona 500 three times apiece.
How many drivers have achieved the NASCAR grand slam (won all four crown jewel races in the same season)?
No Cup Series driver has won all four modern crown jewel races in a single season. Jeff Gordon won three (Daytona 500, Coca-Cola 600 and Southern 500) of the four in 1997.
How many drivers have achieved the NASCAR career grand slam (won all four crown jewel races in a career)?
Four drivers — Dale Earnhardt, Jeff Gordon, Kevin Harvick and Jimmie Johnson — have won all four of NASCAR’s current crown jewel races over their careers.
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