Tyler Reddick Leads 40-Car Coca-Cola 600 Grid as Kyle Busch Tributes Shadow Charlotte
Updated
Updated · USA TODAY · May 24
Tyler Reddick Leads 40-Car Coca-Cola 600 Grid as Kyle Busch Tributes Shadow Charlotte
17 articles · Updated · USA TODAY · May 24
Tyler Reddick will start first in Sunday’s 67th Coca-Cola 600 after rain washed out qualifying, extending a 2026 run in which he has won five of 12 Cup races.
Charlotte’s 400-lap, 600-mile race begins at 6 p.m. ET with no national TV broadcast, streaming instead on Amazon Prime Video after pre-race coverage starts at 5 p.m.
A 40% afternoon thunderstorm chance could disrupt NASCAR’s longest race, with storms considered likely by 9 p.m. ET at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Katherine Legge adds another storyline by attempting the Indy 500-Coca-Cola 600 double, something Kyle Larson failed to complete in both 2024 and 2025.
Kyle Busch’s absence remains the weekend’s defining backdrop after the two-time champion died Thursday at 41, prompting NASCAR tributes throughout the Charlotte event.
Kyle Busch won a race just six days before dying. How did a common illness turn fatal so fast?
A top athlete died from sepsis within hours. Could new NASCAR health protocols have saved Kyle Busch?
Kyle Busch’s Death at 41: NASCAR’s 234-Time Winner, Sepsis Risks, and the Enduring Impact on Racing
Overview
On May 24, 2026, the NASCAR community was struck by profound grief following the sudden loss of Kyle Busch. The Coca-Cola 600, usually a highlight of the racing season, became a somber memorial as fans, teams, and drivers gathered in sorrow to honor his legacy. Tributes poured in from across the motorsports world, recognizing Busch not only as NASCAR’s all-time leader with 234 wins but also for his fiery energy and unyielding passion for racing. This collective remembrance underscored his status as a true champion whose impact on the sport will be deeply missed.