Ross Chastain is formally a winner of the Coca-Cola 600, preventing again from unbelievable odds in a complete staff effort to win NASCAR’s longest race. And whereas it was elation for him, it was a bitter disappointment for Hendrick Motorsports, and never simply because William Byron misplaced after dominating many of the race. Kyle Larson’s ‘Double’ try resulted in two DNFs, Denny Hamlin ran out of gasoline, and the NASCAR Cup Sequence aired solely on streaming for the very first time.
So, let’s check out the most important winners and losers from 600 miles at Charlotte:
WINNER: Each single one who labored on Ross Chastain’s backup automobile
Watch: Ross Chastain makes daring transfer to win 2025 Coca-Cola 600
Almost 30 folks dropped what they have been doing to assist in getting ready Chastain’s backup automobile after a follow crash, burning the midnight oil and dealing previous 2am to get the automobile race-ready. Even the crew chief was working on lower than three hours of sleep. And but, they did not simply reach making the automobile aggressive, however they gave Chastain a No. 1 Chevrolet he was in a position to drive from final to first — which has by no means been accomplished earlier than within the Coca-Cola 600. A real Herculean effort by all the group.
LOSER: Kyle Larson’s double catastrophe
Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet
Photograph by: Logan Riely / Getty Pictures
Larson has formally run the Indy-Charlotte Double on the identical day, turning into the fifth drier to take action, however he came visiting 500 miles shy of operating the total distance. He recorded two DNFs to indicate for his efforts, crashing out of the Indy 500 and later the Coca-Cola 600. At Charlotte, he took the lead early, however really hit the wall and spun whereas in full management of the race. The staff spent many of the race attempting to repair the toe, just for him to be collected in a race-ending crash simply after the midway level. Do not be stunned if we by no means see Larson try the ‘Double’ once more after how his final two outings have gone.
WINNER: AJ Allmendinger carries Kaulig to its finest run in years
AJ Allmendinger, Kaulig Racing Chevrolet
Photograph by: James Gilbert / Getty Pictures
Allmendinger is quietly some of the versatile racers on the market. A winner in NASCAR, IMSA, CART and several other different disciplines, the 43-year-old confirmed as much as NASCAR’s longest race and delivered an unbelievable efficiency. After qualifying fifth for the Coca-Cola 600, he stayed proper there all the night time, ending fourth in his finest Cup end on a non-drafting oval since Homestead in 2022. It is also his finest end ever within the 600, rebounding from back-to-back races with DNFs.
LOSER: Denny Hamlin for operating on empty
Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photograph by: Getty Pictures
Hamlin appeared to have the second-best automobile all night time and was the one driver to persistently problem Byron for the race lead, however when the checkered flag flew, he was in sixteenth place. Hamlin was operating second after the ultimate spherical of pit stops, however his Joe Gibbs Racing pit crew didn’t correctly join the second gasoline can and have been unable to get the tank full. Compelled to make an unscheduled pit cease, he might solely watch as 600 miles of exhausting work evaporated in entrance of his eyes.
WINNER: Brad Keselowski lastly places a full race collectively
Brad Keselowski, Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Ford
Photograph by: David Jensen / Getty Pictures
This has been a horrendous season thus far for Keselowski, and whereas Sunday’s exhibiting will not save him from the factors gap he is now in, it’s definitely a step in the suitable course. The veteran driver charged from thirty fifth on the grid, avoiding the entire drama to complete a quiet fifth, scoring each his first high and first high ten of the 2025 season. Possibly the No. 6 RFK Racing Ford is lastly turning issues round.
LOSER: The fan who stole Chastain’s hat
Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet
Photograph by: Logan Riely / Getty Pictures
After battling Byron for the win, Chastain confronted a unique form of battle on pit highway after the race. An audacious fan reached into the automobile and stole the hat from atop his head. Chastain revealed later simply how vital his race-winning hats are to him and the way he might hardly consider it because the fan tried to run off. Fortunately, he obtained the hat again ultimately, however what a weird finish to his in any other case good day.
WINNER: Prime Video for taking NASCAR protection to the subsequent degree
Chase Briscoe, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota
Photograph by: Logan Riely / Getty Pictures
Cable TV beware. The NASCAR Cup Sequence ran a race solely on streaming for the very first time and it was a success. With an expert broadcast and tons of each pre and post-race protection, Prime Video is receiving overwhelming reward. All the closing run of the race went uninterrupted with zero commercials, and it appeared like the published would by no means finish as they interviewed a number of drivers and the highest two finishers twice! The published was partaking and the commentator staff, which included Dale Earnhardt Jr., saved these watching on the sting of their seats. And the promotion main as much as the occasion was additionally spectacular, together with the manufacturing of a extremely acclaimed documentary on the late, nice Dale Earnhardt. The one destructive is that Prime did not buy greater than 5 races this summer time!
LOSER: No matter was happening at Workforce Penske
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse Chevrolet, Ryan Blaney, Workforce Penske Ford
Photograph by: David Jensen / Getty Pictures
Penske had a foul week that culminated with a tough day at each Indianapolis and Charlotte. On the 600, Ryan Blaney crashed out of the race and completed thirty eighth. Austin Cindric’s automobile obtained broken in some unspecified time in the future and he limped round to a Thirty first-place end, 12 laps down. After which there’s Joey Logano, who was deep within the pack for many of the race, however he was no less than in a position to battle his manner as much as an unimpressive seventeenth as he was final automobile on the lead lap. That is definitely one ‘Month of Might’ Roger Penske will certainly wish to neglect.
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