Much to consider

By Tania Ganguli

May 24, 2009 12 AM PT

What to watch for in today’s Coca-Cola 600:

The race

The Coca-Cola 600 is today at 2 p.m. PDT at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. The former Charlotte Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile quad-oval that seats 165,000. This year it celebrates its 50th anniversary. It’s also the 50th running of the race, which was called the World 600 in its first year in 1960. The track filed for bankruptcy the next year but has recovered nicely since that time in the heart of NASCAR’s hub.

What makes it special?

To compete with the Indy Racing League’s marquee race, this event is designed to be bigger and bolder. At 400 laps for 600 miles, it’s the longest race on NASCAR’s 36-race circuit. Because the race starts in the daylight and ends at night, it is grueling for teams, which have to alter setups as the race progresses.

Who’s starting in front?

Stewart-Haas Racing’s Ryan Newman starts this race from the pole for the fifth time in his career. Newman is an extraordinary qualifier, and this season he has been running almost as well as he’s started. He hasn’t won yet but is eighth in points after missing the Chase last season.

Are they the favorites?

Pole position means very little in a race this long. The last driver to win from the pole was Jimmie Johnson, in 2004. Still, Newman has been very close to a win several times this season. His teammate/boss, Tony Stewart, won the All-Star race last week and nearly won the 2008 Coca-Cola 600. Either driver could win this race.

Who else might contend?

With the roll Hendrick Motorsports has been on this season, one of its top three drivers would be a fairly safe bet in the race. Johnson and Jeff Gordon each has five wins at Lowe’s Motor Speedway and Mark Martin has four. Martin and Johnson were the two fastest cars in the first practice Thursday.

Is there a dark horse?

Watch out for Jeff Burton, who won here last fall in the Richard Childress Racing No. 31 Chevrolet.

Burton has 15 top-10 finishes, eight top fives and three wins at Lowe’s Motor Speedway. His average finish in this event is 16.73.

tganguli@orlandosentinel.com