Coca Cola 600 name returns until 2013.

The longest continuous single-race sponsorship deal in NASCAR will continue for another ten season's after Coca Cola and the Lowe's Motor Speedway reached an agreement to run the Coca Cola 600 until 2013.

The annual Memorial Day weekend classic has been the longest race on the Winston Cup calendar since the 1.5-mile Charlotte Motor Speedway opened in 1960, it has been known as the Coca Cola 600 since 1986, one year after the soft-drinks company initially sponsored the race under the Coca Cola World 600 title.

The 400 lapper was known simply as The World 600 between 1960-1984.

The new agreement serves as an expansion of the long-standing relationship between Coca-Cola and LMS, a partnership that began when the speedway opened in 1960. Financial terms were not disclosed

"We're thrilled to extend our association with such a prestigious race - the longest and most challenging event on the circuit," said Bea Perez, vice president of sports marketing, Coca-Cola North American Division. "This agreement is part of our commitment to bringing fans closer to the passion and excitement of NASCAR racing for years to come."

"Coca-Cola has been a loyal partner of the speedway since the gates opened 43 years ago," said H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, president of Lowe's Motor Speedway. "Coca-Cola has played a major role in promoting our facility and the sport of NASCAR. We're excited to have one of the world's top sports marketers on board as sponsor of the 600 for another decade."

The new agreement between Coca-Cola and LMS includes a substantial commitment from Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated, headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina.

"The Coca-Cola 600 and the events that surround it have become a tradition for race fans and Charlotte-area residents," said Frank Harrison III, chairman and CEO, Coca-Cola Bottling Company Consolidated. "We'll continue to use this partnership to bring the spirit of NASCAR to life for race fans - both inside the track and beyond."

Coca-Cola classic is the Official Soft Drink of NASCAR. Through its association with tracks and race teams, The Coca-Cola Company and its bottling partners have been involved in NASCAR for more than 40 years. The Company sponsored cars from 1969-76 and 1990-94 under the Coca-Cola and Mello Yello brands, respectively.

Their most prominent off-track promotion at the moment is the Coca Cola Racing Family, a collection of more than a dozen of the sport's top drivers who appear in their advertising campaigns across many forms of media. Included in this group are 2002 Winston Cup Champ Tony Stewart and the ever-popular Bill Elliott.

Members of the Coca Cola Racing Family are easy to spot as they are the ones who always drink the black stuff in victory lane as opposed to the far more beneficial (thirst wise) water or Gatorade. One high-profile non-member is Jeff Gordon, who is strongly backed by Pepsi.