Ross Chastain overtook William Byron with only five laps left to capture a historic victory at the Coca-Cola 600 held at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday night. Starting from the back of the pack, Chastain became the first driver to win this race after previously winning the Coca-Cola 600. Byron, who had won the first three stages and led for 283 laps, began the race in 40th place but ultimately lost the lead to Chastain, who led for just eight laps in securing his first NASCAR Cup Series win of the season.
This victory was a major triumph for Trackhouse Racing and a tough loss for Charlotte native Byron, who had just signed a four-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports. Byron dominated the early stages but ended up battling with Denny Hamlin over the final 100 laps. The two exchanged the lead multiple times and both pitted with 52 laps remaining for their last fuel stop. Unfortunately for Hamlin, he couldn’t get enough fuel and had to drop out of contention, finishing 16th.
Chastain, driving a backup car, earned his sixth Cup Series win and his first Crown Jewel victory, while Chase Briscoe finished third. Kyle Larson’s day started to unravel after arriving by helicopter from the Indianapolis 500, following a crash in his ‘double’ attempt at the races. Larson, who began near the front, hit the wall on lap 38 and later got involved in a wreck with Briscoe, Ryan Branny, and Daniel Suarez, which pushed him out of the race with a 37th-place finish.
Jimmy Johnson’s hopes for a record-breaking fifth Coca-Cola 600 victory ended early when he crashed on turn 4 in the second phase, causing major damage to his car and forcing him to finish last in 40th place. Johnson admitted it was a rookie mistake due to the unique traffic situation in this race.
As is tradition during Memorial Day weekend, a moment of silence was observed to honor service members who have lost their lives.
Fan Take: Ross Chastain’s impressive win from the back of the pack is a thrilling reminder of NASCAR’s unpredictability and the sheer competitiveness of the sport. This race not only showcases emerging talents but also keeps longtime fans excited for what’s next in the Cup Series.
