This aerial panorama, taken by James Blakeway, captures NASCAR''s most challenging test of man and machine, the running of the legendary NASCAR Sprint Cup Series'' Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This 1.5 mile superspeedway, built in 1959 on the outskirts of the Queen City track, was once the site of a working plantation during the Civil War. On June 19, 1960, the new facility held its first race, the first World 600. During the ensuing years, the facility continuously established new industry standards, including the first to offer 40 condominiums high above turn one and the first modern superspeedway to host night auto racing.