Ross Chastain Clinches Victory at Coca-Cola 600 in Dramatic Comeback
CONCORD, NC — Ross Chastain emerged victorious in a thrilling finale at the Coca-Cola 600, executing a remarkable drive from 40th place in a backup car to claim Trackhouse Racing’s first win of the 2025 season.
Chastain began the race in the rear due to vehicle issues but steadily climbed the ranks, finishing Stage 1 in 20th, Stage 2 in 7th, and Stage 3 in 5th. In the closing laps, he not only overtook Denny Hamlin, who was on the brink of running out of fuel but also bested the seemingly dominant William Byron.
"My team worked tirelessly to get this car ready after a late-night buildup," Chastain said. "To be able to drive on that final run and pass cars that had been stronger all night is a testament to their effort."
Chastain’s move for the lead, made with just six laps remaining, was pivotal. He caught Byron, who had led 283 of the 400 laps and won all three stages, and made a decisive move that resulted in Byron hitting the wall. Chastain sealed the win and celebrated the victory by smashing a watermelon, a symbolic act of victory for the driver.
Following Chastain were Byron in second and Chase Briscoe in third, with AJ Allmendinger and Brad Keselowski rounding out the top five. Notably, Byron’s strong performance fell short despite his dominating lead.
Race Summary:
- Stage 1: Byron took the lead early, with a three-wide move on lap 2. Kyle Larson led until hitting the wall, which caused a caution.
- Stage 2: A major incident occurred when Jimmie Johnson spun and collected Connor Zilisch and Cole Custer. Byron maintained a stronghold on the lead as pit strategies unfolded.
- Stage 3: Incidents escalated, including a crash involving Ryan Blaney and Daniel Suarez, culminating in multiple DNFs affecting Larson’s weekend.
- Stage 4: The final stage saw Byron and Hamlin battle for supremacy until Hamlin’s fueling issues allowed Chastain to close the gap and secure the win.
Chastain’s triumph at the Coca-Cola 600 exemplifies resilience and strategic racing, solidifying his position as a formidable competitor in the NASCAR Cup Series.
