by Steve Byrnes

When we were there during Memorial Day weekend, we talked a lot about keeping up with the track. This weekend, almost all of the action will be under the lights so the track won't be as weather sensitive. From that standpoint, it's maybe not as challenging a venue, but this is still a tricky racetrack.

A common question we get asked is whether or not success at 2-mile racetracks like Auto Club Speedway and Michigan International Speedway translates to 1.5-milers like Lowe's. Not that the two types of tracks are completely different, but the two sizes of tracks have different requirements. So if you are looking to do an apples to apples comparison, I would compare Lowe's to its sister tracks Texas Motor Speedway or Atlanta Motor Speedway. Having said that, if you ask any crew chief, driver or engineer, they will all tell you that the 1.5-mile tracks may all look the same but they all have their own nuances.

When I think of Lowe's Motor Speedway, I instinctively think of Jimmie Johnson and some of the dominant performances he and his team have had there. Last week's winner, Tony Stewart, has run well there off and on, so keep an eye on him. Carl Edwards has had success at 1.5-mile tracks, winning at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway earlier this year as well as Atlanta Motor Speedway in years past. I think he is poised to put up some big numbers in the coming weeks starting this weekend.

The basics

Track length: 1.5-miles
Banking in corners: 24 degrees
Banking in straights: 5 degrees
Frontstretch: 1,980 feet
Backstretch: 1,500 feet
First Cup race: June 19, 1960

Distance: 334 laps/500 miles
Defending polesitter: Ryan Newman
Defending race winner: Jeff Gordon

The record book

Most poles: David Pearson (14); Active leader — Ryan Newman (seven)
Most wins:Bobby Allison, Darrell Waltrip (six); Active leader — Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon (five)
Most top fives: Richard Petty, Bobby Allison (23); Active leader — Mark Martin (17)
Most top 10s: Richard Petty (31); Active leader — Mark Martin (21)

Lowe's fast facts