NASCAR adds extra stage to Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte

NASCAR is changing the format for the Coca-Cola 600, two weeks before one of the biggest races of its season.

The May 28 race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is the longest on the Monster Energy Cup Series schedule, compelling NASCAR to announce Monday it will add a fourth stage that divides the race into 100-lap increments.

With the additional stage, the Coca-Cola 600 effectively has a greater impact on the championship than any other regular season race — including the Daytona 500 — as it now awards more points. A driver can now earn a maximum of 70 points if they were to win the first three stages and the race itself, as opposed to the maximum 60 points normally available.

Originally the Coca-Cola 600 was to consist of 100-, 100-, and 200-lap stages.

NASCAR introduced the three-stage format in January as a way to improve competition and create natural commercial breaks for its television partners. Drivers almost universally have praised the new format, as they’re now rewarded for their performance throughout a race and their accomplishments during the 26-race regular season (wins, points accumulated) are now applied to the first three playoff rounds.

“The stage racing format is delivering more dramatic moments over an entire race, fueling tremendous racing action this season,” said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR executive vice president, and chief racing development officer. “With a fourth stage added to the Coca-Cola 600, the historic event will have another layer of strategy for teams and even more excitement within the race for fans.”

Scott Miller, NASCAR senior vice president of competition, told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Monday that the sanctioning body doesn’t anticipate any format changes for any other races this season.