Ross Chastain's grit shakes up NASCAR power rankings; Larson leads odds despite 'double' setback
Ross Chastain
's remarkable victory at the
Coca-Cola 600
has reignited his championship aspirations and reshaped the
NASCAR power rankings
. Starting from the back in a backup car, Chastain surged through the field to overtake
William Byron
in the final laps, securing his first win of the season and a guaranteed spot in the playoffs.
Kyle Larson
remains the frontrunner in the championship odds, despite this triumph. His recent attempt at the grueling "Double", competing in both the Indianapolis 500 and NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600 on the same day, ended in disappointment with crashes in both events.
Nevertheless, Larson's dominant performances earlier in the season, including wins in Kansas and Bristol, keep him at the top of the odds board.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Bank Owned Properties For Sale In Legian (Prices May Surprise You)
Foreclosed Homes | Search ads
Search Now
Undo
Christopher Bell
follows closely, having achieved three consecutive victories earlier this season and maintaining consistent top-10 finishes. William Byron, despite leading 283 laps in Charlotte before being overtaken by Chastain, holds the championship lead and remains a strong contender.
As the series heads to
Nashville Superspeedway
for the Cracker Barrel 400, the competition intensifies. The race, scheduled for Sunday, June 1, at 7:00 PM ET, marks the fifth Cup Series event at the 1.33-mile concrete oval in Lebanon, Tennessee. Larson, Bell, and Byron are among the favorites, but Chastain's recent victory positions him as a formidable challenger.
Live Events
The Coca-Cola 600 also marked a significant moment in NASCAR's broadcasting history, being the first race streamed exclusively on Prime Video. The event attracted an average of 2.72 million viewers, with a notably younger audience demographic, signaling a shift in how fans engage with the sport.
The battle for playoff positions intensifies, with only eight drivers having secured wins in the first 13 races. The upcoming races, including the Cracker Barrel 400, will be crucial in determining the championship landscape.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
32 minutes ago
- Time of India
Will Kyle Schwarber play tonight against Milwaukee Brewers? Latest update on Philadelphia Phillies star's injury report (May 30, 2025)
Image Source: Getty Philadelphia Phillies fans want to know if their star player, Kyle Schwarber, will play tonight against the Milwaukee Brewers at 6:45 p.m. ET. The game will be shown on MLB Network, NBCS-PH, and FDSWI at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. Schwarber's big hits and leadership are key for the Phillies, who have a strong 36-20 record. His recent injuries worried fans, but new updates give hope he'll be on the field. Schwarber expected to play despite recent injuries The Philadelphia Phillies are ready to face the Milwaukee Brewers, and fans are excited about Kyle Schwarber's status. A recent post on X by @JClarkNBCS says Schwarber is in the lineup, batting second as the designated hitter for the 6:45 p.m. ET game. It is good to see Schwarber playing well again, following his groin strain and elbow pain last season. In 2024, he missed several games after hurting his groin playing against the Miami Marlins. In September of 2024, there was an accident as he tried to reach first with the Tampa Bay Rays; he hurt his elbow. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Schwarber would recover fast, and his spot in tonight's lineup shows he's feeling better. Fans are thrilled to see their slugger back, ready to hit home runs and help the team win at home. Also Read: Bryce Harper warns Phillies on Kyle Schwarber's future and fans are nervous Phillies face challenges with key players sidelined The Phillies are excited about Kyle Schwarber's likely return but face challenges with other injuries as they take on the Milwaukee Brewers. Bryce Harper is day-to-day with an elbow issue, leaving his status uncertain for the 6:45 p.m. ET game. Aaron Nola, one of the team's main pitchers, is on the sidelines due to an ankle problem. Outfielder Garrett Mitchell is out for the Brewers because of an oblique injury and pitcher Brandon Woodruff is absent with a shoulder issue. Despite these setbacks, the Phillies trust Schwarber's leadership to keep them strong. He's hitting .261 with 15 home runs in 2025 and striking out less. His return boosts the team's chances in the NL East. Tonight, Taijuan Walker pitches against D.L. Hall for the Brewers. Fans hope Schwarber's powerful bat will lead the offense to a win at Citizens Bank Park, making his presence crucial for this key matchup.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
'Started as a fitness activity, became a weekend hang'
Many on-court rallies lead to off-court friendships When Ayush Aggarwal, a Delhi-based lawyer, moved to Noida, he searched for 'racquet sports facility near me' on his first weekend in the area. 'Making full use of my weekend, I chose to play racquet sports at a nearby arena. I met a few people, we formed a team, and we're now in touch over WhatsApp,' he says. Like him, many sports enthusiasts across the NCR are heading to sports facilities over the weekend. While they may be going there to reconnect with an old hobby, most of them are finding friendships on the badminton court or football field. 'Some corporate professionals like coming directly from the office to play football, cricket, etc together on Fridays, between 7pm-10pm' (Location: Rackonnect, Gurgaon) 'Even if we wrap up work at 3am, we meet for games at 7am' Weekend sports activities are doubling up as social time. 'I go for badminton on weekends and holidays, sometimes after work too. For us, a group of seven now, playing badminton together takes priority over sleep. Even if we wrap up work at 2 or 3am, we meet on the court at 7am. Our families know each other, we celebrate occasions together, and even go to watch cricket matches, on cycling tours and more,' says Kunwardeep Budhraja, a sales lead based in Noida. 'Game meetups often turn into group brunches or picnics' Delhi-based merchandiser Arushi Gupta, who along with her four friends, started going to a sports facility on Sundays, now has a group of 15. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Buy Brass Idols - Handmade Brass Statues for Home & Gifting Luxeartisanship Buy Now Undo 'We unwind together on the court and chill with a glass of lemonade after our game. On the weekends, courts are usually full, so we pre-book them.' I found like-minded individuals who find comfort in intense games. We started as strangers, became friends, and today, one of them is my flatmate Ayush Aggarwal, a Noida-based lawyer 'Always formed healthy, strong connections through badminton sessions' For some, picking up a sport began as a way to unwind, but became a gateway to meaningful connections. Mrinal Pathak, a media professional, says, 'Wherever I've stayed for higher studies and for work, I've always formed healthy and strong connections through badminton sessions. As a kid, the sport helped me come out of my shell as an introvert. Even now, I sometimes struggle socially — but never on a court, so it helps me build connections. ' 'Cross-organisation friendships are brewing with sports' (Location: Games Forest, Gurgaon) Saniya Santhosh, a business analyst, shares her experience, 'I started playing badminton on the weekends to take a break after a hectic work week. While the people who show up on these games are a mix of amateurs and beginners, I've found partners whose timings and skills levelled with mine. What started off as a way to let off steam and remain fit, ended up becoming bonding sessions, leading to three of them becoming my buddies even off the court. Now, we watch movies together, catch up over coffee, and also visit each other's houses on special occasions.' Game meetups often turn into group brunches or picnics, where participants-turned-friends mingle and talk about everything, beyond the game Aditi Saxena, who goes to the frisbee club at Lodhi Gardens 'Cross organisation friendships are brewing with sports' Multi-sport facilities are facilitating people's need to embrace IRL connections. A facility manager at a Gurgaon venue shares, 'Fridays and Saturdays are the busiest. Cross-organisation friendships are also brewing at our sporting facility. Many of them, who started playing together, chill at the cafe to enjoy a post-game chai.' Nirvana Escapes founder Divish Manuja, who organises weekend sporting events in collaboration with sports venues, shares that these events go beyond fitness. 'These events have become a platform for people to break away from digital distractions and form real-world connections. Many participants have found close friends, workout buddies, and even creative collaborators through these meetups. Sport has this unique ability to dissolve barriers – be it age, profession, or language – and these hangouts are a testament to that," he says. Post-game hang is a thing (Pics: @ 'Some corporate professionals like coming directly from the office to play football, cricket, etc together on Fridays, between 7pm-10pm,' shares a Gurgaon-based facility manager.
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Inside the Alex Ovechkin email blunder: What it says about the Capitals, their future, and fan anxiety
Photograph: Nick Wass/AP For a few chaotic hours, Washington Capitals fans thought the unthinkable was happening: Alex Ovechkin, the face of the franchise and one of hockey's greatest goal scorers, was retiring. But then came the clarification, it was all a mistake. A sales email from the team's marketing department had accidentally described the 2025–26 season as Ovi's 'final year,' sparking a frenzy online and sending the Capitals' front office scrambling for damage control. While the Capitals were quick to say there's no truth to the rumor, the emotional storm this blunder unleashed offers a powerful glimpse into just how much Ovechkin means to the team, the city, and the sport and why his eventual retirement will hit so hard. What exactly happened with the Alex Ovechkin email? According to reports, the Capitals' ticketing department sent out a routine email blast encouraging fans to secure their seats for the 2025–26 season. But in the message, there was one huge problem: it implied that season would be Ovechkin's final year. Fans immediately took to social media, asking if the legendary winger was about to hang up his skates and whether this was how the team chose to break the news. The team rushed to correct the record, releasing a statement that the wording was an internal error and that Ovechkin has not made any decision about retirement. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo But by then, the emotional wave was already rolling. Ovechkin isn't just a superstar; he's a once-in-a-generation player whose name is basically synonymous with the Capitals. Since being drafted first overall in 2004, Ovi has smashed scoring records, brought Washington its first-ever Stanley Cup in 2018, and become the NHL's second all-time leading goal scorer, chasing Wayne Gretzky's legendary mark. To Caps fans, Ovechkin represents consistency, loyalty, and greatness, so the thought of him stepping away, even if only hinted at in an email, hit hard. For many, the panic wasn't just about losing a player, it was about facing the end of an era. As of now, Ovechkin has made no official statements about when he plans to retire. He's under contract through the 2025–26 season, and all signs point to him wanting to finish that deal especially with his quest to break Gretzky's all-time goal record still alive. Also read - Veteran Jonathan Toews ready for NHL return with Maple Leafs reportedly in the mix
