What Is 2010 Bank of America 500

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2010 Bank of America 500 was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held on October 16, 2010, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Kevin Harvick won the 334-lap race, leading 136 laps, with Jimmie Johnson finishing second and Kyle Busch third.

Key Facts

Race date: October 16, 2010
Track: Charlotte Motor Speedway, Concord, North Carolina
Winner: Kevin Harvick, driving the No. 29 Chevrolet for Richard Childress Racing
Distance: 500 miles (334 laps) on a 1.5-mile quad-oval track
Jimmie Johnson finished second, extending his series lead at the time

Overview

The 2010 Bank of America 500 was a pivotal event in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, serving as the fifth race in the 10-race Chase for the Championship. Held at Charlotte Motor Speedway, the event drew over 150,000 fans and featured 40 drivers competing for critical playoff points.

This race was notable for dramatic weather delays and multiple lead changes, highlighting the unpredictability of restrictor-plate racing. Positioned late in the season, it played a crucial role in shaping the championship standings, particularly for Jimmie Johnson and Kevin Harvick.

Kevin Harvick claimed victory after starting in 14th position, marking his third win of the 2010 season and boosting his playoff momentum.
The race lasted 3 hours and 52 minutes, delayed by two red flags totaling over 40 minutes due to heavy rain showers.
18 lead changes occurred among 10 different drivers, underscoring the intense competition throughout the 334-lap event.
David Reutimann recorded the fastest lap at 28.347 seconds (189.865 mph) on lap 42, showcasing peak track speeds under optimal conditions.
24 caution laps were logged, with the final caution coming on lap 331, setting up a dramatic two-lap sprint to the finish.

How It Works

The Bank of America 500 is part of NASCAR’s playoff structure, designed to test driver endurance, strategy, and team performance under pressure. Each element—from pit stops to tire choices—impacts final outcomes in tightly contested races.

Term:Chase for the Sprint Cup. Introduced in 2004, this playoff format narrows the field to 12 drivers after 26 races; the 2010 Bank of America 500 was the fifth of 10 Chase events, crucial for points accumulation.
Track layout: Charlotte Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile quad-oval with 24-degree banking in turns, requiring precise handling and aerodynamic setups to maintain speed through corners.
Pit strategy: Teams used a four-tire, fuel-only strategy during green-flag cycles, with average pit stop times averaging 12.8 seconds, making crew efficiency critical.
Weather impact: Rain delayed the start by 1 hour and 22 minutes, forcing NASCAR to implement a red flag and reschedule the broadcast window on ABC.
Points system: The winner earned 190 points, plus 3 bonus points for leading the most laps, vital for maintaining or improving playoff positioning.
Car specifications: Gen-4 NASCAR vehicles used in 2010 featured 850-horsepower V8 engines, manual transmissions, and weighed approximately 3,400 pounds with driver.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2010 Bank of America 500 compares to prior editions in terms of race metrics and outcomes:

Year	Winner	Track Length	Total Laps	Margin of Victory
2010	Kevin Harvick	1.5 miles	334	0.422 seconds
2009	Kurt Busch	1.5 miles	334	0.563 seconds
2008	Carl Edwards	1.5 miles	334	0.789 seconds
2007	Jeff Gordon	1.5 miles	334	0.321 seconds
2006	Kasey Kahne	1.5 miles	334	0.501 seconds

The 2010 race stood out for its weather-related delays and high number of lead changes. While lap counts and track length remained consistent, the tightening margins of victory reflect increasingly competitive fields and improved car parity in the Sprint Cup Series during this era.

Why It Matters

The 2010 Bank of America 500 had lasting implications for NASCAR’s championship narrative and team strategies in the Chase. Its outcome influenced media coverage, sponsor visibility, and fan engagement during a critical playoff window.

Kevin Harvick’s win elevated him from 4th to 2nd in the standings, increasing pressure on Jimmie Johnson, who still held a 7-point lead.
The race drew a 6.8 national Nielsen rating, making it one of the most-watched NASCAR events of 2010 outside the Daytona 500.
Bank of America leveraged the event for brand exposure, despite announcing its withdrawal as title sponsor after the 2010 season due to budget reallocations.
Charlotte Motor Speedway reported $42 million in local economic impact from the race weekend, including hotel stays and tourism spending.
The event highlighted sustainability efforts, with NASCAR recycling over 18 tons of waste and launching a track-wide eco-initiative.
It marked the final Bank of America 500 under that naming rights agreement, transitioning to the Bank of America 500 branding under new sponsorship in 2011.

Ultimately, the 2010 race exemplified NASCAR’s blend of sport, strategy, and spectacle, cementing its place in motorsports history and influencing future playoff formats.