Videos, slideshows | Memories of LMS

Team owners, drivers and fans recall moments from the 50 years of racing at Charlotte's speedway.

Monday, May. 11, 2009

As two weekends of NASCAR racing set to unfold at Lowe's Motor Speedway, which is celebrating its 50th anniversary, we pause to reflect on 10 favorite memories from team owners, drivers and race fans about the storied track:

"My favorite 600 memory is obviously 1994 because that was my first-ever win I had in a Cup car. It was beyond a dream come true to win a race at the Cup level and to do it at Charlotte. Everybody knows how special Charlotte is, just its history within the sport but also because it's located in the backyards of all the race teams."

- Four time Cup champion, Jeff Gordon

"It used to be when we ran 600 miles, it was survival. Whoever could build a car and keep it out of the fence, keep the motor from blowing up and be there at the end of the race. It was sort of like running a 24-hour race -- if you survived you were going to be pretty good."

- Seven time Cup champion driver and team owner, Richard Petty

"My memories go back a long way, a lot further than a lot of others, but my memories go back to my dad (Ned) racing there and me, Kyle Petty and Ricky and Larry Pearson in the infield literally having a great time there. It started out that I enjoyed that place from the very start."

- 1999 Cup series champion, Dale Jarrett

"I have more trips to Victory Lane there than I have at any other race track, but I will tell you that the day Jeff Gordon and I won our first-ever Cup race, it was there on a two-tire call. We beat Rusty (Wallace) and that is something I will never forget."

- Former Cup crew chief and team owner, Ray Evernham

"It's been a track I've always loved. Luckily, I took to it and had the right equipment underneath me and was able to win a bunch of races there. Lately, I have been good for a top-five or so, but hopefully we can get that magic back."

- Three time Cup champion and five-time Charlotte winner, Jimmie Johnson

"The first time that I went there I made two laps, then I came on the radio and told my crew, 'This place is so cool.' It's definitely my favorite track."

- Four-time Charlotte winner, Mark Martin

"I kept thinking we needed to go to the heart of NASCAR. So, we packed up our truck and the kids and headed south for the Coca-Cola 600. We instantly fell in love with everyone. We have made this our annual family vacation - no Disney for us!"

- Linda Cutone, LMS ticket holder since 2006

"I believe my first race was in 1969 with my father. We've sat in the same place in the Chrysler grandstand ever since. David Pearson was my favorite driver and I remember that candy-apple red No.21 Wood Brothers Mercury sitting on the pole for years it seemed in the 1970s."

- LMS ticket holder Glenn Harris, Wendell, N.C.

"My father and I enjoyed (the 1996 all-star race) so much we made a pact to come back year after year. The only year I missed was 2005 when my father lost his battle with cancer. Before he passed, he asked if I would keep the tradition going after he was no longer here and I promised him I would. I have not missed a race since."

- LMS ticket holder Michael Kehr, Concord.

-- Compiled by Jim Utter

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