Ross Chastain surged from the back of the field to win the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, outdueling William Byron in a dramatic six-lap sprint to the finish.
Chastain, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet for Trackhouse Racing, started 40th after a crash in practice and took the lead with six laps remaining, ending an 18-race winless streak and earning his sixth career Cup victory. It was his first win in eight career starts at the 1.5-mile oval and the first time a driver has won the crown jewel event from last place.
Byron, who dominated the race by winning all three stages and leading 283 laps, finished second, just 0.673 seconds behind. Chase Briscoe, AJ Allmendinger, and Brad Keselowski rounded out the top five.
Watermelon, for everyone! 🍉
We live in the greatest country, protected by our nation’s greatest men and women. I’m here to take it all in. 🇺🇸#MelonPartner #WatermelonEveryday #BeASponge pic.twitter.com/fZ7a7kREhW
— Ross Chastain (@RossChastain) May 26, 2025
Chastain became the eighth driver to lock into the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs and the first to win the Coca-Cola 600 in a backup car since Byron’s Daytona 500 win in 2024.
