| Thoroughbred Horse Racing has its celebrated Triple | | | | grand event in '02. Had NASCAR's longest race kept |
| Crown (Kentucky Derby, Preakness, Belmont | | | | its original name, which denoted the world's longest |
| Stakes). Professional tennis cherishes its Grand Slam | | | | regularly-run race of its kind, the World 600 at |
| (Australian, French Open, Wimbledon, U.S. Open), four | | | | Lowe's Motor Speedway (formerly Charlotte Motor |
| tournaments that only five men and women have | | | | Speedway), held near the unofficial start of summer, |
| won in a calendar year. So does PGA golf (Masters, | | | | would easily be the second leg of a Triple Crown. |
| U.S. Open, British Open, PGA Championship), four | | | | The perfect date for the final leg would be the Labor |
| tournaments that no man has captured in a single | | | | Day weekend race, particularly if that were still the |
| season. | | | | date of the Southern 500. But NASCAR killed that |
| Sports where every participant gathers for each | | | | event-after renaming it the Mountain Dew Southern |
| event have traditionally recognized a handful of | | | | 500-in 2005. With the 10-race Chase starting two |
| prestigious races or tournaments that stand above | | | | weeks later, a late August/early September date |
| the rest. NASCAR has added to its schedule through | | | | would be ideal. |
| the years after chopping it to one race per week | | | | Were a "Grand Slam" more preferable to a Triple |
| when the "Modern Era" began in 1972. But with 36 | | | | Crown, the July 4th weekend race, once called the |
| events covering 10 months in the Sprint Cup Series, | | | | Firecracker 400 and since changed to Coke Zero 400 |
| what distinguishes one date from the rest? | | | | Powered by Coca-Cola, would work, but that would |
| Currently only the season-opening Daytona 500, the | | | | give Coco-Cola two major plugs-although Coke is the |
| "Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing," is recognized for | | | | "official soft drink of NASCAR"-and also give Daytona |
| special prominence, although certain racetracks have | | | | two dates in the Crown/Slam. And Daytona officials |
| a measure of renown. "The Brickyard" at Indianapolis, | | | | would balk at losing that date to Talladega. A road |
| due to its status as home of the open-wheeled | | | | course has been suggested as a final leg to give |
| Indianapolis 500, is one such venue. The "Track | | | | drivers a true test at versatility, but road course |
| That's Too Tough to Tame" at Darlington, along with | | | | events haven't caught on fast with NASCAR's fan |
| the fame awarded at Talladega SuperSpeedway, | | | | base. Chase races are not worthy of consideration |
| bring added significance during the 10-month race | | | | given the emphasis on gathering points above winning |
| season. | | | | any one event. |
| If NASCAR wanted its own version of the "Triple | | | | The Daytona 500, World 600, Firecracker 400 and |
| Crown," the first pick is a no-brainer. The Daytona | | | | Southern 500 are the events that spark the most |
| 500, a.k.a. "The Great American Race," is the most | | | | memories and stir the biggest debates, but a Grand |
| watched and esteemed motorsports event on the | | | | Slam is not doable just yet. With a tweak here and |
| continent. Beyond that, there are few races most | | | | there, the best bet for a NASCAR Crown or Slam is |
| fans can even identify by name. The Pocono 500 | | | | three or all of the following: the Daytona 500, won in |
| comes to mind because it's about the only other | | | | '08 by Ryan Newman; the Coca-Cola 600, won by |
| event to keep its original name through the years, | | | | Kasey Kahne; a re-named Brickyard 400 at |
| while other race names are in constant change due | | | | Indianapolis, won by Jimmie Johnson in a race marred |
| to corporate sponsorship. Still, the Pocono race only | | | | by bad tires; and the final event before the Chase, |
| started in '82, missing out on the sport's Golden Era, | | | | which would return winning to the forefront over |
| and takes place two weeks after the better known | | | | positioning for the "playoffs." Currently that's the |
| Coca-Cola 600. | | | | Chevy Rock & Roll 400 at Richmond-another |
| The argument that a Talladega race should be | | | | prestigious track. Give the race a better name or |
| included is valid, but the Aaron's 499-no | | | | switch dates with a re-named Talladega event, and |
| attention-grabber and with no real tradition-doesn't fit. | | | | decide if a Slam is preferable to a Crown. Otherwise, |
| And the April date is too soon and October race too | | | | the first three options have merit for a true Triple |
| late. | | | | Crown. |
| The Coca-Cola 600, called the World 600 until '85, | | | | That would mean horsepower over horses. Our |
| runs on Memorial Day weekend and competes | | | | four-hoofed friends haven't won a Triple Crown of |
| head-to-head with the Indy 500. The all afternoon | | | | their own since 1978. |
| drive began to outdraw the Indy Racing League's | | | | |