Ross Chastain’s day began from fortieth place in a backup automobile, however he steadily labored his approach up by means of the sector, making full use of the 600 mile occasion. He was twentieth by the top of the Stage 1, seventh by the top of Stage 2, fifth by the top of Stage 3, and in Victory Lane after the checkered flag.
“After I left the store final evening, I went over and sat on this automobile for the primary time,” mentioned Chastain. “It was about 10 o’clock after I left. They labored till 2:30. They have been again at 5:30 this morning. Most of them drive 30, 45 minutes residence. A bit bathe, I believe. I do not even know in the event that they slept. Again there at 5:30. They get this factor prepared, and that is the dedication it takes from Trackhouse.
“There was folks there that had their Saturdays off yesterday, they usually got here in. For this Jockey Chevy and the McCrea household, to hold them — he was using with me, Mr. McCrea. His household is right here with Allie and mother and sister, brother. That is what this weekend is all about is to consider and bear in mind those that sacrificed a lot for us … The McCrea household advised me to be a sponge. That was one thing that their dad advised them quite a bit. I bought to inform you, I did not really feel very similar to a sponge tonight. I used to be rattling round on the market.”
Persevering with on his cost by means of the sector, Chastain mentioned: “To drive on that remaining run within the World 600 and go two automobiles that had been approach higher all evening. [Crew chief] Phil Surgen wished me to pit two laps earlier. I went two laps longer simply out of somewhat little bit of confusion. Man, that paid off on the finish. These Goodyear Eagles held on longer as a result of they have been somewhat bit more energizing. Holy cow, we simply gained the World 600!”
Snatching the win away from a dominant Byron
It was a sensational drive in a backup automobile, incomes Trackhouse Racing its first win of the 2025 season. Within the remaining run, he needed to battle his approach round Denny Hamlin, who was going to expire of gasoline anyway. However his true battle got here when he caught the dominant No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet of William Byron.
The 2 drivers battled fiercely within the closing laps with Chastain making the successful transfer with six laps to go. He slid up the observe and Byron tagged the wall. He was not in a position to reply as Chastain drove off with the win, smashing a watermelon in celebration as soon as once more.
Byron ended the race second after main 283 of 400 laps. He additionally gained all three phases earlier than dropping out to Chastain, who led simply eight. Polesitter Chase Briscoe completed third, AJ Allmendinger fourth, and Brad Keselowski fifth. Chase Elliott, Michael McDowell, Christopher Bell, Ryan Preece, and Noah Gragson crammed out the rest of the highest ten.
Stage 1
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Picture by: Logan Riely / Getty Photos
Briscoe began the race from pole place, however did not even lead the primary lap as Larson surged ahead. As they battled, it opened the door for Byron to make an enormous three-wide transfer for the lead on simply the second lap of the race, taking excessive spot.
Larson didn’t let his teammate maintain it for lengthy, retaking the lead and setting the tempo for the primary half of the stage. Nonetheless, Larson hit the wall whereas main by a number of seconds, knocking the toe out. Quickly after, he absolutely misplaced management and spun, exiting Flip 4.
Throughout pit stops, the pole-sitter needed to go to the rear of the sector after the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing staff misplaced management of a tire.
The No. 66 staff additionally misplaced a wheel on observe, which is able to imply additional penalties and suspensions subsequent week.
Byton went on to dominate the remainder of the stage forward of Reddick and Bell, however the stage truly ended underneath warning as one other Hendrick driver discovered hassle. Bowman caught the wall exiting Flip 4, knocking the toe out as properly. He instantly spun, triggering the second warning of the race.
Stage 2
Connor Zilisch, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, Jimmie Johnson, LEGACY MOTOR CLUB Toyota, Cole Custer, Haas Manufacturing unit Crew Ford
Picture by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Photos
The start of the second stage featured the primary multi-car incident of the race. Making his 700th profession begin, Jimmie Johnson misplaced management and spun sideways, accumulating Connor Zilisch and Cole Custer. They have been in a position to proceed, however Johnson was not. He grew to become the primary driver to fall out of the race, ending fortieth.
The remainder of the stage noticed Byron persevering with his domination, even by means of a cycle of inexperienced flag pit stops. Hamlin displaced Reddick within the runner-up spot, however he wasn’t in a position to run down Byron both. Shane van Gisbergen had a formidable save on the frontstretch after contact from behind.
On the very finish of the stage, Kyle Busch spun on the troublesome Flip 4, going for a journey by means of the infield grass.
Stage 3
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet, Ryan Blaney, Crew Penske Ford
Picture by: David Jensen / Getty Photos
Ty Gibbs had a pair large moments within the early laps of the third stage, however he held onto it as he makes his a centesimal begin within the Cup Sequence. Busch’s troubles continued as he bought into the wall once more earlier than carrying on.
Hamlin remained a lot nearer to Byron because the battle for the race lead heated up, Even Hocevar joined the fray.
Zane Smith took a big effect on the backstretch, slamming nose-first into the wall. However the greatest incident of the stage got here in a while as Blaney, Suarez and Briscoe ran out of room whereas working three extensive. Suarez and Blaney wrecked out of the race, taking Larson with him. Justin Haley additionally bought a chunk of it, however he was in a position to proceed.
Larson’s ‘Double’ ends with a double DNF, ending twenty seventh within the Indy 500 and thirty seventh within the Coke 600.
Stage 4
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Picture by: James Gilbert / Getty Photos
The ultimate stage started with Hocevar blowing the engine whereas battling for the race lead, ending his sturdy run. It was then Byron and Hamlin once more battling for the race lead by means of the ultimate stage.
Throughout the remaining spherical of pit stops, Byron was in a position to get a snug margin to Hamlin, nevertheless it did not matter both approach. Hamlin’s groups did not get the automobile filled with gasoline whereas Chastain, who pitted two laps after the leaders, quietly chipped away on the three seconds between himself and Byron.
The go for the win got here with simply six laps to go in NASCAR’s longest race.
Learn Additionally:
On this article
Nick DeGroot
NASCAR Cup
Ross Chastain
William Byron
Trackhouse Racing Crew
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