Ross Chastain achieved an incredible victory at the 2025 Coca-Cola 600, starting from 40th place in a backup car and working his way to the front to claim the win. His remarkable comeback highlighted the endurance required in NASCAR’s longest race at Charlotte Motor Speedway, showcasing the significance of strategy and perseverance.
Chastain’s Gradual Surge Through the Field
Beginning the race at the back of the pack, Chastain steadily improved his position throughout the demanding 600-mile event. By the end of Stage 1, he had advanced to 20th place, climbed to seventh by the conclusion of Stage 2, and positioned himself fifth after Stage 3. His consistent progress culminated in a victory in the final laps.
Reflecting on the effort, Chastain acknowledged the dedication of his team, stating,
“When I left the shop last night, I went over and sat in this car for the first time, It was about 10 o’clock when I left. They worked until 2:30. They were back at 5:30 this morning. Most of them drive 30, 45 minutes home. A little shower, I think. I don’t even know if they slept. Back there at 5:30. They get this thing ready, and that’s the dedication it takes from Trackhouse.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver
He further expressed the emotional significance of racing for the Jockey Chevy and the McCrea family, explaining,
“There was people there that had their Saturdays off yesterday, and they came in. For this Jockey Chevy and the McCrea family, to carry them — he was riding with me, Mr. McCrea. His family is here with Allie and mom and sister, brother. That’s what this weekend is all about is to think about and remember the ones that sacrificed so much for us … The McCrea family told me to be a sponge. That was something that their dad told them a lot. I got to tell you, I didn’t feel much like a sponge tonight. I was rattling around out there.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver
Chastain’s resilience and adaptability were apparent throughout the race, especially during the final stretch. He described the closing laps,
“To drive on that final run in the World 600 and pass two cars that had been way better all night. [Crew chief] Phil Surgen wanted me to pit two laps earlier. I went two laps longer just out of a little bit of confusion. Man, that paid off at the end. These Goodyear Eagles held on longer because they were a little bit fresher. Holy cow, we just won the World 600!”
—Ross Chastain, Driver
A Dramatic Battle for the Win
The victory was nothing short of sensational as Chastain made his charge in a backup car, bringing Trackhouse Racing its first win of the 2025 season. The final laps involved a tense duel, first with Denny Hamlin, who was running low on fuel and soon to fall out of contention, then with William Byron, the dominant driver in the race.
Byron, driving the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet, led 283 of the 400 laps and controlled all three stages before being overtaken. The intense battle between Chastain and Byron culminated with just six laps remaining when Chastain executed a decisive move by sliding up the track. Byron’s car made contact with the wall, ending his chances as Chastain drove away to secure the win. Chastain celebrated by smashing a watermelon, continuing a unique tradition of his.
Finishing second, Byron’s outstanding performance was overshadowed by his late-race misfortune. Chase Briscoe, who started on pole, took third place, followed by AJ Allmendinger in fourth and Brad Keselowski rounding out the top five. The rest of the top ten included Chase Elliott, Michael McDowell, Christopher Bell, Ryan Preece, and Noah Gragson.
Stage 1 Highlights and Early Incident
The race began with Chase Briscoe in pole position, but Kyle Larson surged ahead immediately, denying Briscoe the lead even on the first lap. William Byron quickly made a bold three-wide pass on lap two to claim the lead, but Larson reclaimed it shortly after. Larson’s strong pace was short-lived as he hit the wall while leading by several seconds, causing him to lose control and spin out in Turn 4.
Pit stop issues saw Briscoe drop to the rear of the field after a tire mishandling by the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing team. The No. 66 team also lost a wheel on track, triggering expected penalties.
Byron controlled the remainder of Stage 1, leading ahead of Tyler Reddick and Christopher Bell. However, the stage ended under caution due to William Bowman’s collision with the wall at Turn 4, which caused him to spin and brought out the second caution flag.
Stage 2: Multi-Car Incident and Continued Byron Dominance
The second stage was marked by the first significant accident of the race involving multiple drivers. Celebrating his 700th career start, Jimmie Johnson lost control and spun, collecting Connor Zilisch and Cole Custer. Johnson was unable to continue, finishing last in 40th place, while Zilisch and Custer managed to stay in the race.
Despite the incident, Byron maintained dominance, holding off Denny Hamlin, who secured the runner-up spot but could not close the gap. An impressive save from Shane van Gisbergen on the frontstretch highlighted his driving skill after contact from behind. Near the end of the stage, Kyle Busch spun at the challenging Turn 4, briefly sliding through the infield grass but remaining in the race.
Stage 3: Intense Battles and Key Accidents
The third stage started with Ty Gibbs, marking his 100th start in the Cup Series, holding position amid early challenges. Kyle Busch’s difficulties continued as he hit the wall once again but stayed on track.
The lead battle grew fiercer with Hamlin closing in on Byron, while even smaller names like Derek Hocevar entered the contest for strong finishes. Mid-stage, Zane Smith experienced a hard impact with the wall on the backstretch, damaging his car.
A significant crash unfolded when Ryan Blaney, Daniel Suarez, and Chase Briscoe ran out of room racing three-wide, causing Suarez and Blaney to crash out along with Larson, who was caught in the wreck. Justin Haley was also involved but continued the race.
Kyle Larson’s attempt at “The Double” (competing in both the Indy 500 and the Coca-Cola 600 on the same day) ended with two DNFs, as he finished 27th at Indy and 37th at Charlotte.
Final Stage Drama and Chastain’s Winning Move
The last stage began with Hocevar’s engine failure while in contention for the lead, removing him from the race. The showdown resumed between Byron and Hamlin for several laps.
During the final pit stops, Byron gained a solid lead over Hamlin, but Hamlin’s crew could not fill his car with enough fuel, ultimately dooming his chance. Meanwhile, Chastain, who pitted two laps after the leaders, used fresher tires to steadily close the gap on Byron.
With six laps remaining in NASCAR’s longest race, Chastain passed Byron with a skillful move on the track’s high side, causing Byron to hit the wall. This maneuver sealed Chastain’s stunning win and marked a dramatic end to an intense race.
Chastain’s victory not only signaled a breakthrough moment for Trackhouse Racing during the 2025 season but also underscored the dynamic nature of endurance racing, where patience, teamwork, and a touch of fortune can transform a last-place start into a first-place finish.
