CONCORD, N.C. -- The winner of tonight's Coca-Cola 600 might not be the fastest, but the team that makes the fewest mistakes on pit road.

A smaller fuel cell will require teams to pit about every 35 laps. Teams could go about 65 laps on the larger fuel cells previously used. The smaller fuel cell means there will be at least 12 pit stops tonight.

That means more possibilities for miscues.

"You've got to minimize mistakes because you've got 11 chances, 12 chances to get caught speeding on pit road, leave a lugnut loose or run out of gas, all of those things you historically haven't had before,'' said Todd Berrier, crew chief for Kevin Harvick.

Said Jeff Kerr, jackman for Martin Truex's team about a long night for the crews: "The last two pit stops are usually the ones that count the most.''

Drivers also will face a challenge. They have to make it onto pit road safely, avoid speeding and stop in the right spot each time.

"Everybody is going to have to be on pit road pretty close to the same time, so it's going to be interesting to see how it works out,'' Matt Kenseth said.

Teams have a smaller fuel cell because NASCAR reduced it from 22 gallons to 13 after concerns over tire wear after last year's crash-filled races. A smaller fuel cell meant more chances to change tires. Goodyear came back with a harder compound tire that lasts much longer now and teams won't have to change tires every stop.

Crew chiefs and drivers predict there will be several gas-only stops and two-tire stops because the harder compound tires last so long.

New ride

Michael Waltrip, who failed to make the field in qualifying, will drive in tonight's race after buying Derrike Cope's ride.

The deal allows Waltrip to extend his consecutive starts streak to 262. It is the sixth longest among drivers. Mark Martin is No. 1. He'll make his 593rd career start tonight. Waltrip starts last.

Feeling better

Elliott Sadler suffered a bruised left thigh Friday when an attempted stunt went bad. Sadler intended to jump into a crowd gathered around a Speed Channel set at the end of a show. He slipped on the rain-slicked surface and fell, injuring his hip. He raced in Saturday's Busch event and will compete tonight.

Pit stops

Joe Nemechek's car was damaged when the blown-out side window from Reed Sorenson's car slammed into Nemechek's car during Saturday's practice. The impact shifted the radiator in Nemechek's car and caused the right front tire to blow. ... Kasey Kahne was the fastest in the final practice session with a lap of 178.471 mph. He was followed by Mark Martin (178.459 mph), Jeremy Mayfield (178.230), Carl Edwards (177.918) and Greg Biffle (177.860).