From the May, 2006 issue of Stock Car Insider

Upcoming Events in the World of NASCAR

May in Charlotte is a beautiful! The azaleas are in bloom, the temperature is mild, and the delivery trucks are delivering the port-o-jons by the thousands. That's right, the whole town is gearing up for two action packed weeks of racing with the NASCAR Nextel Cup All-Star race and the Coca-Cola 600.

Thousands of people will be coming to town for the next two weeks to witness the longest NASCAR race, the Coca-Cola 600, making it the second largest sporting event in America.

This year's All-Star and 600 races will once again be nail biting terrific. Lowe's Motor Speedway's track was recently re-paved. The levigating days of last year are history, and the officials at Lowe's Motor Speedway are guaranteeing this year's races will be just as fast as last year's and safer.

However, despite what the track officials are saying, folks in and around the garages as well as Goodyear reps are saying the speeds this year will actually be slower. For the 2006 races at Lowe's Motor Speedway, Goodyear is supplying a stiffer compound tire which will ensure less blow outs on the track. What the drivers gain in safety, they lose in speed. Stiffer tires do not grip the track as well as a softer tire. Less grip means the drivers cannot carry as much speed in the turns which will also affect the top end speeds on the straightaways.

Some in the garages are nicknaming the stiffer tires, "restrictor tires". The tires will rob the cars of speed like the restrictor plates used at Daytona and Talladega rob the cars of horsepower. However, fans do not be dismayed. I very seriously doubt that we will perceive a 2-5 mph difference in speeds. The action, like every weekend in NASCAR, will be heart-pounding dramatic!

Expect Jimmie Johnson to have lots of fun the next two weeks. Of the current drivers with 5 or more starts at Lowe's Motor Speedway, he has the highest average finish of 7th.

Other drivers to note:

Tony Stewart - Average Finish 12th
Bobby Labonte - Average Finish 13th
Jamie McMurray - Average Finish 14th
Jeff Gordon - Average Finish 16th

Next Week's Schedule:
(all times CST)

Nextel Cup: @ Lowe's Motor Speedway
5/19/06 - 12:05pm NASCAR Nextel Cup All-Star Challenge Practice
5/19/06 - 07:10pm NASCAR Nextel Cup All-Star Challenge Qualifying
5/20/06 - 07:30pm NASCAR Nextel Cup All-Star Challenge

Busch Series - off until 5/27 at Lowe's Motor Speedway

Craftsman Truck Series: @ Lowe's Motor Speedway
5/19/06 - 10:50pm Quaker Steak & Lube 200 Practice
5/19/06 - 04:15pm Quaker Steak & Lube 200 Qualifying
5/19/06 - 08:45pm Quaker Steak & Lube 200