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CONCORD — It started as a dream, then it seemed as if it wouldn't become reality, but Lowe's Motor Speedway grew from the ground and created one of stock-car racing's most treasured traditions — the 600-mile race.

The original 600 was held three weeks late because of construction delays, but Joe Lee Johnson's victory started something special.

This weekend, they'll run the 50th version of this race, an event that has outgrown the once mighty Indianapolis 500. As you look ahead to this weekend's 600, here's a look back at some of the event's most memorable moments.

'63: LUCKY BREAK
Fred Lorenzen takes the lead from Junior Johnson with four laps to go when Johnson blows a tire and wins. Lorenzen goes on to become the first driver in series history to earn more than $100,000 in a season. This is the first of Lorenzen’s two victories in the 600, while Johnson never wins a 600.

'64: FRIGHTENING CRASH
Considered by many to be NASCAR’s first superstar, Fireball Roberts is severely burned in a crash early in the World 600. Ned Jarrett pulls Roberts from the burning car. Roberts survives a few weeks until he contracts pneumonia and sepsis. He slips into a coma and dies July 2. Roberts’ crash leads to safety advances. NASCAR requires all drivers to wear fireproof uniforms and gloves. NASCAR also requires rubber bladders inside fuel tanks to prevent fuel from spilling if the tanks are damaged.

'73: SPIN AND WIN

Buddy Baker dominates the first half of the race but blows a tire and spins out. He stays on the lead lap, chases David Pearson and eventually passes him to win the World 600 for the second consecutive year.

'76: NEW FACE

Women had raced in NASCAR before but none garner the attention Janet Guthrie does. After she fails to become the first woman to make the Indianapolis 500 starting lineup, Charlotte Motor Speedway officials put together a ride, knowing her appearance will draw fans. It does, as the race records its first sellout. Guthrie finishes 15th.

'77: PRE-RACE SHOWS BEGIN

It started with a dance team of 40 girls from Kilgore (Texas) College and has grown into a circus or car jumps or even military invasions. The pre-race shows are as big an event for some as the race itself each year.

'80: DUELING DRIVERS

Benny Parsons and Darrell Waltrip trade the lead five times in the last 26 laps of the race. Parsons slips by Waltrip with two laps left and goes on to win the race, denying Waltrip a third consecutive World 600 title. For Parsons, the win is his only 600 crown.

'01: BUSY DAY

Others had run in the Indianapolis 500 and Coca-Cola 600 in the same day but no one matched Tony Stewart's success. Stewart finishes sixth at Indy, completing all 500 miles. He flies to Concord and makes it to the track in time for the start. He finishes third, running all 600 miles, thus racing all 1,100 miles that day.

‘05: WILD DAY
The track’s surface is changed in the offseason and contributes to issues with tires as a record 22 cautions fly, turning the race into a 5-hour, 13-minute marathon. Joe Nemechek appears headed for the victory until he blows a tire and wrecks less than 10 laps from the finish. Bobby Labonte inherits the lead but can’t hold off Jimmie Johnson, who charges on the outside off turn 4 on the last lap to nip Labonte by half a car length at the finish line. The victory marks Johnson’s third in a row in the Coca-Cola 600.

FAMILY FIRSTS
Dale Earnhardt makes his Cup debut in 1975 in the World 600. He qualifies 33rd and places 22nd, finishing 45 laps behind winner Richard Petty. Earnhardt earns $2,425.
In 1999, Dale Earnhardt Jr. makes his Cup debut also at this event, called the Coca-Cola 600. Earnhardt Jr. qualifies eighth and places 16th, finishing three laps behind winner Jeff Burton. Earnhardt Jr. earns $36,250.

FIRST TIMERS
Five drivers score their first career Cup win in the 600: David Pearson (1961), Jeff Gordon (1994), Bobby Labonte (1995), Matt Kenseth (2000) and Casey Mears (2007).
Gordon’s win often is remembered because he cries in victory lane. Pearson, though, has the most dramatic win. He appears to be cruising to an easy victory when a right rear tire blows. Instead of pitting, Pearson, the only driver on the lead lap, creeps along as others race by trying to make up their laps and beat him to finish. Pearson crosses the finish line first as sparks fly from the worn rim.

Contact Dustin Long at 373-7062 or dustin.long@news-record.com