Coca-Cola 600

Ross Chastain authored one of the greatest underdog stories in NASCAR history, driving a backup car from dead last -- 40th on the grid -- to victory lane in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, NASCAR's longest and most grueling race. After wrecking his primary No. 1 Chevrolet in Saturday practice, the Trackhouse Racing crew worked through the night to prepare a backup machine that could not qualify, forcing Chastain to start from the rear. What followed was a 600-mile masterclass in patience and car development as Chastain methodically worked his way through the field over the course of 400 laps.

William Byron appeared to have the race in hand, leading a staggering 283 of 400 laps and sweeping the first three stages in a dominant display. Byron and Denny Hamlin engaged in a thrilling third-stage battle, swapping the lead nine times before Byron reasserted control. But tires and track position told a different story in the closing laps. Chastain's car came alive in the cool of the night, and he dove below Byron entering Turn 1 on Lap 395, sliding up through Turn 2 to clear the Hendrick Motorsports driver and lead the final six laps to the checkered flag.

The victory made Chastain the first driver in NASCAR's modern era to win a Cup race from the last starting position, breaking a record that had stood since Bobby Allison's Richmond victory in 1969. It was also the lowest starting spot ever for a Coca-Cola 600 winner. Chase Briscoe posted a season-high third, A.J. Allmendinger scored his first top-five since October 2023, and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top five. The 34 lead changes among 11 drivers made it one of the most competitive Coca-Cola 600 events in recent memory.