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NBC Sports
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- NBC Sports
Cup drivers recap Charlotte Race won by Chastain
Hear from Brad Keselowski, Chase Briscoe, AJ Allmendinger, Michael McDowell and Ryan Preece following the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Toronto Sun
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Toronto Sun
Ross Chastain goes from worst to 1st to win NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600
He is the first driver to win the event after starting at the back of the field Published May 26, 2025 • 5 minute read Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Jockey x Folds of Honor Chevrolet, celebrates in victory lane after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina. Photo by David Jensen / Getty Images North America CONCORD, N.C. — Ross Chastain stood on top of his No. 1 Chevrolet in his white fire suit and held a watermelon above his head as the crowd at the Charlotte Motor Speedway roared with delight in anticipation. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Then, with sense of ferocity, Chastain slammed it to the track, smashing it to pieces. Chastain began smashing watermelon as a way to uniquely honor his family's legacy as eighth-generation watermelon farmers. The tradition began after his first NASCAR Cup Series race and has continued after every win as his own unique way to celebrate his strong ties to watermelon farming. But this win was extra special, his first at crown jewel event. 'This thing is fresh from Florida,' Chastain said with a laugh. 'It just came up from our family farm. Man, for the Florida watermelon industry, that's your watermelons you're getting right now, so y'all better go buy a dang watermelon to celebrate. I want to see videos of smashed watermelons flood the socials. I want to see it. Florida watermelons are in season.' Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Chastain passed two-time Daytona 500 winner William Byron with six laps left and won the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, capping a remarkable comeback and becoming the first driver to win the event after starting at the back of the field. NASCAR said he's the first driver to win from an official starting position of last since Bobby Allison at the Richmond Fairgrounds in 1969. William Byron won the first three stages and led 283 laps, but surrendered the lead to Chastain, who started in 40th place and led just eight laps in his first NASCAR Cup Series victory of the year. It was a huge boost to Trackhouse Racing, and a bitter disappointment for Byron, the Charlotte native who had signed a four-year contract extension Friday with Hendrick Motorsports. Byron has finished in the top three in the last three Coca-Cola 600s without winning. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Ross Chastain, driver of the #1 Jockey x Folds of Honor Chevrolet, celebrates with a burnout after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 25, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina. Photo by Logan Riely / Getty Images North America Chastain said his crew stayed up all night to build him another car after a crash in practice on Saturday. 'To drive on that final run in the 600 and pass two cars that had been better than me all night, wow,' said Chastain, who celebrated by standing on his car and slamming a watermelon down on the track as has become his tradition following a victory. 'Holy cow! We just won the 600.' Chastain said the plan was the fix the original car after the wreck, but NASCAR intervened. It might have been a good thing they did. 'We thought we were going to have to fix the primary and NASCAR said, no, there is something bent (so) go build another one,' Chastain said. 'That's how we did that.' Chastain's crew chief, Phil Surgen, said it was 'deflating' when a tire went down and Chastain crashed during practice because their original car had been running so well, finishing fastest among the field in 10-, 15- and 20-lap averages This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. But he said more than 30 employees came into the nearby race shop to work on the car, with nearly a dozen staying until 2:30 a.m. to get it ready to race. The car they used was slated to be a backup car at the Nashville race, but didn't have an engine and needed several other additions. 'This group of guys I have got is relentless and no doubt everybody was going to give it their best,' Surgen said. 'Guys were at concerts and ballgames and dropped what they were doing to come in and help.' Trackhouse Racing owner Justin Marks called it a 'master class' effort by the team. Byron left the track disappointed over his inability to maintain the lead. 'He was catching me and I was trying to defend and I was getting a little tight,' Byron said. 'He got a run on me and was able to get to the bottom of the track off of two. It's disappointing to lead that many laps.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Byron became the first driver to sweep the first three stages at NASCAR's longest race, but found himself in a battle with Denny Hamlin the final 100 laps. They exchanged lead a few times before both drivers pitted with 52 laps for one final fill up on gas. But Hamlin didn't get enough fuel in his car and would have to pit again, falling out of contention. He would finish 16th. Chastain, running in a backup car, ran down Byron for his sixth Cup Series win and first crown jewel victory. Pole-sitter Chase Briscoe finished third. Kyle Larson's day ended the way it started at the Indianapolis 500 — with a wreck. Larson arrived at Charlotte Motor Speedway via helicopter more than an hour ahead of the start of the race after crashing out at the Indianapolis 500 in his failed second attempt to complete 'The Double.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In North Carolina, he started on the front row and ran out to the early lead before hitting the wall in Turn 3 on Lap 38. A few laps later his car got loose, sending him spinning across the front straightaway and bringing out the race's first caution flag. But Larson was able to regain control and prevent further damage to his No. 5 Chevrolet before heading to the pits for adjustments that forced him to the back of the field. But Larson got caught up in a wreck involving Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe and Daniel Suarez, sending him behind the wall. He finished 37th. Johnson makes early exit Jimmie Johnson's bid for a record-tying fifth Coca-Cola 600 victory ended early in the second stage when he hit the wall in Turn 4, causing severe damage to his No. 84 Toyota and knocking him out of the race. The seven-time Cup Series champion finished last. 'I made a rookie mistake,' Johnson said, who was making his 700th career Cup Series start. 'The traffic situations are different with this car and I reacted in a way I shouldn't have.' Halftime tribute Keeping with tradition, drivers pulled their cars down pit road to a complete stop for a moment of silence as part of the Memorial Day weekend tribute to 'honor and remember' those service members who've lost their lives. Check out our sports section for the latest news and analysis. Care for a wager? Head to our sports betting section for news and odds. Sunshine Girls Opinion Sunshine Girls Canada Editorial Cartoons
Newsweek
26-05-2025
- Automotive
- Newsweek
Kyle Larson Speaks Out On Second Failed Double Attempt After Indy 500 Wreck
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson attempted The Double today for the second time, which consisted of completing the Indy 500 and the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 in the same day. After attempting the feat last year but failing to pull it off due to weather delays, the 32-year-old driver set his sights on making it happen this year. However, after starting from 19th on the grid, Larson crashed out of the Indy 500 on the 92nd lap at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. While speaking to the media after visiting the infield center, Larson explained: "It was a bit crazy there on the start. Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 Hendrick 1100 Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina. Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 Hendrick 1100 Chevrolet, looks on during qualifying for the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2025 in Concord, North Carolina."I got tight behind Takuma [Sato]. I was really close to him and I think I got loose and kind of got all over the place. Yeah, so I spun. Just hate that I got a little too eager there on the restart and caused that crash. So, hate it for everybody that also got caught up in it. "Just bummed out, so I'll try to get over this quickly and get on to Charlotte, and just forgot about it." 💔 for Kyle Larson — Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) May 25, 2025 During an interview with FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass, Larson commented on when he thought he would have been able to finish the race if he had not crashed. He said: "I don't know. I wasn't too focused on that." Kyle Larson on his wreck. Obviously he is bummed. Also he didn't know if he would have had to leave the race before it ended. @IndyCarOnFOX — Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 25, 2025 Addressing the initial delay of the start of the Indy 500 due to wet weather conditions, he added: "When I'm sitting there for 45 minutes, it was on my mind, but once we got racing, I wasn't really worried about that." Larson arrived at Charlotte Motor Speedway in time to start the Coca-Cola 600. The Hendrick Motorsports driver currently leads the drivers' NASCAR Cup Series standings. NASCAR Cup Series: Current standings 1. Kyle Larson – 469 2. William Byron – 434 3. Christopher Bell – 384 4. Chase Elliott – 378 5. Ryan Blaney – 362 6. Tyler Reddick – 357 7. Denny Hamlin – 346 8. Alex Bowman – 325 9. Joey Logano – 318 10. Bubba Wallace – 310 11. Ross Chastain – 300 12. Chase Briscoe – 278 13. Austin Cindric – 273 14. Ricky Stenhouse Jr – 258 15. Ryan Preece – 251 16. Josh Berry – 244 17. Kyle Busch – 244 18. John H. Nemechek – 234 19. Carson Hocevar – 230 20. Michael McDowell – 228 21. Austin Dillon – 227 22. Zane Smith – 227 23. Todd Gilliland – 227 24. Chris Buescher – 224 25. AJ Allmendinger – 218 26. Ty Gibbs – 217 27. Daniel Suárez – 209 28. Justin Haley – 206 29. Erik Jones – 196 30. Ty Dillon – 188 31. Noah Gragson – 181 32. Riley Herbst – 151 33. Brad Keselowski – 148 34. Cole Custer – 139 35. Shane Van Gisbergen – 138 36. Cody Ware – 68 37. Jimmie Johnson – 34 38. Corey LaJoie – 24 39. JJ Yeley – 9 40. Katherine Legge – 7 41. Casey Mears – 2 42. Burt Myers – 1 43. Chad Finchum – 1 44. Martin Truex Jr – 1
Fox Sports
25-05-2025
- Automotive
- Fox Sports
Kyle Larson's double quest ends with crash at Indy 500
INDIANAPOLIS — Kyle Larson's quest to run 1,100 miles in one day ended after 91 laps of the Indianapolis 500 when he wrecked just short of halfway through the race. Larson finished 27th in the Indy 500 and left soon after the crash for Charlotte Motor Speedway to compete in the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600. "I'm just bummed out," Larson said. "I'm just very disappointed." The Hendrick Motorsports driver will be the fifth to start both races in the same day, but only one driver – Tony Stewart — completed all 1,100 miles when he did it in 2001. "The best therapy is to get back behind the wheel," Larson said after his second-ever INDYCAR race. "So thankfully, I only have a few hours until I'll be back behind the wheel. Once we crank the engines up there, I'll forget about it." Larson's wreck happened when he was following Takuma Sato and he tried to duck to the left and ended up spinning. The wreck also took out Kyffin Simpson and Sting Ray Robb. "We were just bunched up on the restart and I was really close to Takuma in front of me and got kind of aero-tight behind him and as I peeked left, the nose grabbed [toward the surface] and I spun," Larson said. "I hate that I caused that crash and hate that others got collected in it. I hate it for ... everybody that put a lot into making this effort possible." The day had not gone great for Larson, who stalled the car earlier on pit road, which had put him in the middle of the pack. Before the race started, things also weren't going his way. Drizzle delayed the green flag by 48 minutes and there was a good chance Larson was going to have to leave retire from the race before it ended. NASCAR rules require a driver to start every race to be eligible for the playoffs. If they miss a race, they must get a waiver from the rule. Last year, after more than a week of deliberation as Larson never competed in the Charlotte race following a rain-delayed Indy 500, NASCAR granted the waiver. Larson, the Cup Series points leader, said he didn't know if he was going to have to retire early Sunday. "I don't know, wasn't too focused on that," said Larson, who was driving an Arrow McLaren car at Indy. "When I was sitting there for 45 minutes [before the race], it was on my mind. But once we got racing, I wasn't really worried about that." Bob Pockrass covers NASCAR and IndyCar for FOX Sports. He has spent decades covering motorsports, including over 30 Daytona 500s, with stints at ESPN, Sporting News, NASCAR Scene magazine and The (Daytona Beach) News-Journal. Follow him on Twitter @ bobpockrass . recommended Get more from NTT INDYCAR SERIES Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
