What Is 2011 Bank of America 500

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Last updated: April 15, 2026

Quick Answer: The 2011 Bank of America 500 was a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race held on October 15, 2011, at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina. Carl Edwards won the pole position, but Ryan Newman was declared the official winner after leading the most laps and finishing first on the track.

Key Facts

The 2011 Bank of America 500 took place on October 15, 2011, at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Ryan Newman won the race, driving the No. 39 Chevrolet for Stewart-Haas Racing.
Carl Edwards secured the pole position with a qualifying speed of 190.588 mph.
The race covered 334 laps on a 1.5-mile quad-oval track, totaling 501 miles.
Jimmie Johnson finished in 13th place, extending his record of top-15 finishes at Charlotte to 18 consecutive races.

Overview

The 2011 Bank of America 500 was a pivotal event in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, held during the second race of the Chase for the Championship. Positioned midway through the 10-race playoff, the race carried high stakes for title contenders aiming to solidify their standings.

Conducted at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, the event drew over 95,000 spectators and featured 40 drivers competing over 501 miles. The race was notable for its aggressive pit strategies, multiple lead changes, and dramatic late-race restarts.

Ryan Newman won the race, leading 133 of 334 laps and earning his first victory of the 2011 season.
Carl Edwards started from the pole position after posting a qualifying speed of 190.588 mph, the fastest of the weekend.
The race lasted 3 hours and 58 minutes, with an average speed of 126.4 mph due to 10 caution periods.
Four lead changes occurred among different drivers, highlighting the competitive nature of the field.
Jimmie Johnson, a five-time winner at Charlotte, finished 13th but remained a dominant historical figure at the track.

Race Format & Structure

The Bank of America 500 followed NASCAR’s standard points race format, with a 334-lap distance on a 1.5-mile intermediate oval. The race was divided into three stages, with stage breaks influencing pit strategy and tire wear.

Track Length: The Charlotte Motor Speedway is a 1.5-mile quad-oval with 24-degree banking in the turns, designed for high-speed racing.
Distance: The race covered exactly 501 miles over 334 laps, making it one of NASCAR’s longest events.
Caution Flags: There were 10 caution periods totaling 47 laps, primarily due to crashes and debris.
Lead Changes: A total of 16 lead changes occurred among 9 different drivers, indicating tight competition.
Top Finishers: Ryan Newman won, followed by Kevin Harvick in second and Kurt Busch in third.
Average Speed: The race averaged 126.4 mph, slowed by multiple yellow-flag periods and pit cycles.

Comparison at a Glance

Here’s how the 2011 Bank of America 500 compares to other NASCAR events in the same season:

Race	Date	Winner	Laps	Winner's Team
2011 Daytona 500	February 20, 2011	Trevor Bayne	208	Wood Brothers Racing
2011 Coca-Cola 600	May 29, 2011	Kyle Busch	400	Joe Gibbs Racing
2011 Brickyard 400	July 24, 2011	Paul Menard	160	Richard Petty Motorsports
2011 Bank of America 500	October 15, 2011	Ryan Newman	334	Stewart-Haas Racing
2011 Ford 400	November 20, 2011	Clint Bowyer	267	Michael Waltrip Racing

The 2011 Bank of America 500 stood out due to its position in the Chase and the high number of lead changes. Unlike shorter events like the Brickyard 400, it demanded endurance and strategic pit stops, making it a true test of team coordination and driver consistency.

Why It Matters

The 2011 Bank of America 500 had significant implications for the Sprint Cup championship standings and team morale heading into the final stretch of the season. It also showcased the competitive depth of mid-tier teams like Stewart-Haas Racing.

Ryan Newman’s win revitalized his season and proved that non-dominant teams could still win under pressure.
The race highlighted strategic pit calls, with Newman’s team opting for fuel-only stops during key cautions.
Carl Edwards maintained his championship lead despite finishing ninth, demonstrating consistency.
It marked the 18th consecutive top-15 finish for Jimmie Johnson at Charlotte, a record unmatched in NASCAR history.
The event drew a national television audience of 5.2 million viewers, reinforcing NASCAR’s mainstream appeal.
Charlotte Motor Speedway reported over $28 million in local economic impact from the race weekend.

Ultimately, the 2011 Bank of America 500 served as both a statistical milestone and a dramatic chapter in NASCAR lore, blending speed, strategy, and legacy.