This weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series event, the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, marks a significant milestone for several drivers, including Jimmie Johnson, who will be celebrating his 700th NASCAR Cup Series start milestone. Alongside Johnson, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Preece, and Ty Gibbs are also set to reach key career benchmarks during the race, each highlighting different stages of their Cup Series journeys.
Milestone Career Starts for Four Drivers at the Coca-Cola 600
The 2025 Coca-Cola 600 will feature four drivers marking special numerically significant starts in the NASCAR Cup Series. These milestones reflect their ongoing careers and achievements as they compete in one of the sport’s premier events.
Ty Gibbs Approaches His 100th NASCAR Cup Start
Ty Gibbs, the 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, will make his 100th Cup Series start in this weekend’s race. Having transitioned to full-time Cup racing in 2023, Gibbs races for Joe Gibbs Racing, the team owned by his grandfather. Over his career so far, he has earned 13 Top-five finishes and 25 Top 10s but is still seeking his first Cup Series victory.
This season, Gibbs’ best performance came at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he finished third. Driving the #54 car this weekend, Gibbs aims to secure his maiden win coinciding with this milestone start.
Ryan Preece Reaches 200th Cup Series Start
Ryan Preece, competing this year with Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing, celebrates his 200th start in the NASCAR Cup Series at Charlotte. Preece has previously driven for Stewart-Haas Racing and JTG Daugherty Racing, piloting cars #37 and #47 between 2019 and 2021. Despite consistent performances, he is still in pursuit of his first Cup victory.
Preece has accumulated five Top-five finishes and 20 Top 10s during his career. Like Gibbs, his highest finish this year was third place, which he achieved at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in March.
Daniel Suarez Marks 300th NASCAR Cup Start
Daniel Suarez will make his 300th Cup Series start in the #99 car at this weekend’s race. Suarez made history in 2022 when he became the first Mexican-born driver to win a NASCAR Cup Series race at Pocono Raceway. Now in his ninth season, Suarez represents Trackhouse Racing after previous stints with Joe Gibbs Racing and Stewart-Haas Racing.
Throughout his career, Suarez has secured two victories, including his most recent win at the Atlanta Motor Speedway event in February 2024. Additionally, he boasts 23 Top-five finishes and 71 Top 10s, establishing himself as a consistent competitor in the series.
Jimmie Johnson Celebrates His 700th Career NASCAR Cup Start
Seven-time NASCAR Cup Series Champion Jimmie Johnson will reach a major personal milestone by making his 700th start at the Coca-Cola 600. Driving part-time for his own team, Legacy Motor Club, Johnson pilots the #84 car in what is his second and final start of the 2025 season.
Johnson has a celebrated history at Charlotte Motor Speedway, having won the Coca-Cola 600 four times during his career. Over 699 previous starts, he has amassed an impressive 83 wins, 233 Top-five finishes, and 375 Top 10s. Earlier this year, Johnson finished third at the Daytona 500, underscoring his continued competitiveness despite reduced schedule participation.
The Significance of These Milestones for Drivers and the Sport
Reaching milestone starts is a testament to the dedication and durability of these drivers in the challenging NASCAR Cup Series. For Jimmie Johnson, the 700th start represents a remarkable span of success and longevity, highlighting his status among the sport’s all-time greats. Meanwhile, Daniel Suarez, Ryan Preece, and Ty Gibbs mark important career progressions as they strive for breakthrough victories and sustained success.
The presence of these milestones at the Coca-Cola 600 underlines the race’s prominence as a stage where history is made and celebrated. Fans and competitors alike will watch with anticipation as these drivers pursue victory and personal achievements, adding another chapter to NASCAR’s rich narrative.
