Ross Chastain Wins the Coca-Cola 600 After Starting 40th in a Backup Car
After a tough start to the 2025 season, Ross Chastain brings Trackhouse Racing its first win of the year and his first Crown Jewel victory. The No. 24 Chevy of William Byron swept all three stages and lost the lead to Chastain with six laps to go. Chastain made the pass going into turn one as a recently lapped Denny Hamlin ran the bottom.
Chastain hunted Byron through the second half of the final stage as Denny Hamlin ran out of fuel.
Chastain then had to hold off Byron through the final five laps as Byron reeled him in in the final three laps, but ultimately Chastain pulled away as Byron kissed the wall.
Chastain started the race in 40th position after going to a backup car after a qualifying crash on Saturday. He only led the final eight laps in the race, six on the final run once he got by Byron. This is the first time since 2012 that a driver won from 40th or back, and the first time since Byron last year someone won in a backup car.
Marty, I'm going to soak this in.
"Yes," Chastain told Amazon Prime when asked if he thought he could win in the backup car. "When I left the shop last night, I went over and sat in this car for the first time it was about 10 PM when I left, [the team] worked this car until at least 2:30, and they were back at 5:30 AM. Most of them drive 30-40 minutes home, shower, I don't even know if they slept, they were back there at 5:30 to get this thing ready. That's the dedication it takes from Trackhouse. There were people there who had their Saturdays off, and they came in."
Chastain, with watermelon still dripping from his mouth, went on the honor the McCrae family who's patriarch he carried in memory with him through this Memorial Day special race.
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