1999 NASCAR Coca-Cola 500
The 1999 NASCAR Coca-Cola 500, officially the '99 NASCAR Coca-Cola 500, was the fourteenth and final race of the 1999 NASCAR Winston West Series season. It is notable for being the first points paying NASCAR event held outside of North America. It was also the last NASCAR race held in Japan. The race was held on Saturday, November 20, 1999, at [Twin Ring Motegi|Twin Ring Motegi, Tochigi|Motegi Superspeedway], a 1.549 mi oval shaped racetrack in Motegi, Tochigi, Japan. The race took the scheduled 201 laps to complete. The race was won by Kevin Richards, his third win of the season. Richards led the final four laps en route to victory, while Sean Woodside secured the championship in fifth place, only needing to finish 28th or better to win the title. The race ended under caution, with Austin Cameron finishing second, Eric Norris in third, Brendan Gaughan in fourth, and Woodside rounding out the top five.
Report
Background
Mobility Resort Motegi is a motorsport venue located in Motegi, Tochigi Prefecture, Japan. Called Twin Ring Motegi at the time of the race, the venue's name came from the facility having two race tracks: a 2.493 km oval track and a 4.801 km road course. It was built in 1997 by Honda Motor Co., Ltd., as part of the company's effort to bring the Championship Auto Racing Teams series to Japan.
Qualifying
Mike Wallace won the pole with a speed of 156.167 mph. Hideo Fukuyama and Sammy Potashnick started from the back due to needing a backup car.
Note: Only the first 10 positions are included for the driver standings.