After a one-year hiatus under the name of NASCAR Banking 500, the 2010 race is back under its familiar name - Bank of America 500. It is the 31st race in NASCAR's Sprint Cup Series Schedule and the 5th race in the ten-race Chase for the Sprint Cup playoff. http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/

In 2009, the race was won by Jimmie Johnson.http://www.nascar.com/races/cup/2009/31/data/results_official.html In fact, Johnson has won the October race at Charlotte Motor Speedway three times.http://www.nascar.com/kyn/nbtn/cup/data/tracks/lms_winners.html The four-time defending Cup champion Johnson is on track for his fifth championship in a row, leading the 2010 Sprint Cup chase as NASCAR arrives in Charlotte. But he isn't the only star driver - he's joined by Denny Hamlin, Kevin Harvick, four-time NASCAR Cup winner Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart, and more.http://espn.go.com/racing/standings

In the modern era, considered to have begun in 1971, there have been two races a year at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The October race has gone by many names in addition to its current name. From 1995-2005, it was called UAW-GM Quality 500. Before that, it was called Mello Yello 500 (1990-1994), All Pro 500 (1989), Oakwood 500 (1986-1988), Miller 500 (1983-1985), National 500 (1980-1982, 1972-1976), Napa 500 (1979 and 1977), and National 400 (1978).

In 1992, a revolutionary light system was installed at Charlotte Motor Speedway, allowing the superspeedway to host the first modern night race. http://www.charlottemotorspeedway.com/media/facts/At a cost of just under US$2 million, this permanent reflective lighting uses mirrors that simulate daylight with no glare, no shadows, and no light poles to obstruct viewing.http://www.nascar.com/races/tracks/charlotte/index.html