Ross Chastain exhibited outstanding speed during the Coca-Cola 600 practice session at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Friday, leading all competitors in long-run averages despite ranking ninth overall on the timing sheets. Driving the No. 1 Chevrolet, Chastain demonstrated remarkable consistency over 10, 15, and 20-lap stints, signaling strong potential for NASCAR’s longest race. However, tragedy struck after 20 laps when a sudden left-rear tire blowout caused him to lose control and crash violently into the outside wall on the backstretch.
The incident occurred in Turn 3 as Chastain’s car spun and then came to rest on the apron, requiring a tow back to the pit lane. The exact cause of the tire failure remains under investigation, but teams have noted that pushing extremely low air pressures aggressively has previously led to tire troubles this season.
Just down the backstretch, all of the air came out of it at once,
said Chastain after being discharged from the infield care center.
I tried to just keep it straight and braked as hard as I could in a straight line. But it was too late. I was okay until I got into the banking and then the whole car got on the ground and around it went.
—Ross Chastain, NASCAR driver
Issues for Kyle Busch in Practice Session
While Chastain endured the most significant mishap during the practice, Chevrolet teammate Kyle Busch faced a frustrating setback before he could even begin laps. Busch, who recently extended his contract with Richard Childress Racing through 2026, reported a steering issue that forced his team into emergency repairs, including replacing the power steering pump. This delayed Busch’s track activity during practice, making him the only Cup driver to miss laps before qualifying.
Despite the challenge, Busch managed to take part in qualifying, although the necessary repairs mean he is expected to start from the rear of the field on race day. Chastain, following his crash, will also start last, positioned 40th on the grid for the Coca-Cola 600.
Top Performers in Qualifying Speeds
Carson Hocevar set the fastest single-lap time during practice, driving the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsport. Following him were Ty Gibbs in the No. 54 Toyota fielded by Joe Gibbs Racing, and AJ Allmendinger driving the No. 16 Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing, cementing their status as serious contenders going into the Coca-Cola 600.
Implications for the Coca-Cola 600 and Team Strategies
Ross Chastain’s crash comes as a stark reminder of the risks teams face when balancing tire pressures for optimal speed and durability at Charlotte Motor Speedway. His domination in practice indicated strong race pace, but starting from the back due to damage will require an aggressive and carefully managed comeback. Meanwhile, Kyle Busch’s mechanical troubles highlight the importance of reliability, especially in such a grueling event.
The tire failure that impacted Chastain raises concerns about potential safety risks that teams and officials will likely address before the race. Achieving the right setup to avoid repeat problems while maintaining competitive speed will be crucial for many drivers. Both Chastain and Busch face uphill battles, but their teams will focus on recovery and strategy to contend in NASCAR’s longest race.
