First Annual World 600

On June 19th, 1960 the first annual World 600 was held at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The race, now called the "Coca-Cola 600" is the longest Nascar race at 600 miles on a 1.5 mile speedway. Charlotte Motor speedway was constructed in 1959 and the first World 600 was delayed three weeks due to construction on the track. With 35,462 fans in attendance, Joe Lee Johnson was declared the winner of the race. It also marks the last time a number 89 car would win a cup series race, to this day. It is also important to note that Charlotte is a very big city in racing. In 1949 Charlotte hosted the first ever professional stock car race, and ten years later Charlotte Motor Speedway was built. Today Charlotte is still huge in motorsports and Nascar specifically as 90% of race teams are located there, as well as the Nascar Hall of Fame.