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Time of India
3 days ago
- Automotive
- Time of India
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.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How William Byron lost the Coke 600 after dominant performance
William Byron led 283 of 400 laps at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday. He started from third position, winning Stage 1, Stage 2, and Stage 3. But on the final run of the race, Ross Chastain completed his last-to-first charge, coming from the very back of the field in a backup car to snatch the win away from Byron. The final pass for the lead came after 591 of the 600-mile event was complete. But what led up to that pivotal moment? Let's take a look... The final round of green-flag stops William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet; Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet; Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota Logan Riely / Getty Images Logan Riely / Getty Images Advertisement On Lap 349, Byron pitted from the race lead. Denny Hamlin followed him down pit road, but Chastain did not. He stayed out, leading his first laps of the night as he pushed the run further by two crucial laps. When Byron cycled back to the front, Chastain was almost three seconds behind, but he quietly made his march forward as the focus turned to Hamlin, who had been the only driver to challenge Byron consistently throughout the race. However, the No. 11 team failed to get Hamlin's car full of fuel during the final stop, taking him out of contention for the race win as he was forced to make an extra pit stop. Chastain made a critical pass on Hamlin with 27 laps remaining, and at the same time, Byron had to take evasive maneuvers up the road, giving up a lot of time. Reddick's mistake Tyler Reddick, who was at the tail-end of the lead lap after a speeding penalty, lost control and nearly crashed directly in front of Byron. The Hendrick Motorsports turned hard to the left as Reddick slapped the wall, going all the way to the apron and giving up almost a second of his advantage. Advertisement Chastain was now in the runner-up position with just one second between himself and Byron -- and 25 laps still to go. He quickly caught Byron, but struggled to fight through the dirty air as Byron aggressively defended the top spot. Falling back to cool down the tires, Chastain made another charge as the lapped car of Joey Logano started taking clean air away from Byron as well. The car wasn't running terribly slow either with Logano able to maintain his position ahead of the leaders. Struggling with traffic William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet; Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet; Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images Advertisement As they raced through Turns 3 and 4, Byron got loose in the wake of Logano's car, allowing Chastain to rapidly close. However, he had Hamlin, who had just pitted again (now a lap down), to his inside. Byron crossed the line with six laps to go and Chastain was glued to his rear bumper, but with Hamlin to his inside, Chastain appeared to be trapped. Despite that, he still made a bold move to the inside of Byron at the entry of Turn 1, helped by the fact that Hamlin gave him plenty of room. Chastain performed a slide job, throwing his No. 1 Chevrolet deep into the corner before sliding up directly in front of the No. 24 Chevrolet. Byron lifted, hitting the wall at the exit of Turn 2 as Hamlin overtook both cars and disappeared into the distance. Byron had five laps to respond and while he got close, he was never able to get fully back alongside, even hitting the wall a second time on the final lap. That was the end of it, allowing Chastain to claim an impressive victory, utilizing those two-lap fresher tires to hold back the dominant driver of the night. Byron explains Coke 600 loss William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet David Jensen / Getty Images David Jensen / Getty Images Advertisement "It's just frustrating," said Byron after the race. "I don't really have many words for it. I wish I won. [Chastain] was catching me, I was trying to defend, I put a couple good defensive moves on but I got loose in (Turns) 3 and 4, and that was really it. He got that run down the frontstretch and I tried to protect the inside, but it wasn't enough." Revealing more about what he was battling inside the car, Byron said he was "getting a little bit tight," partly due to the awkward aero spot he was in with the traffic ahead of him as he tried to fend off Chastain. "Then the scenario there with the cars we were around, it was tough. So, yeah, he got a run on me and was able to get to the bottom and clear me off of (Turn) 2. Disappointing just to lead that many laps and such a great effort by our whole team. Yeah, I guess just could have anticipated that last run a little better. I ran in dirty air for a long time and heated my tires up. "Then we lost a chunk of time, and the 45 [Reddick] about crashed in front of us. Yeah, sucks." Advertisement Byron won the first crown jewel of the year, claiming victory in the season-opening Daytona 500. While he was hoping to add another major win to resume this weekend, he did manage to secure a four-year contract extension with Hendrick Motorsports. Read Also: The Double DNF: Kyle Larson's day ends in a Coke 600 pile-up Ross Chastain stops fan who reached into his car and stole his hat after Coke 600 win Ross Chastain makes history, fighting from last to first to win the Coca-Cola 600 To read more articles visit our website.
Fox News
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Fox News
Ross Chastain makes history, goes from worst to 1st to win NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600
Ross Chastain passed William Byron with five laps left and won the Coca-Cola 600 on Sunday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway, becoming the first driver to win the event after starting at the back of the field. 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 became the first driver to sweep the first three stages at NASCAR's longest race, but found himself in a battle with Denny Hamlin in the final 100 laps. They exchanged the 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." 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 of his car and prevent any 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 Briscoe, Ryan Blaney and Daniel Suarez, sending him behind the wall. He finished 37th. 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 in 40th place. "I make 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." 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. Reporting by The Associated Press. Want great stories delivered right to your inbox? Create or log in to your FOX Sports account, and follow leagues, teams and players to receive a personalized newsletter daily!
National Post
5 days ago
- Automotive
- National Post
Ross Chastain goes from worst to 1st to win NASCAR's Coca-Cola 600
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. Article content Then, with sense of ferocity, Chastain slammed it to the track, smashing it to pieces. Article content 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. Article content But this win was extra special, his first at crown jewel event. Article content '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.' Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content 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. Article content Article content Chastain said his crew stayed up all night to build him another car after a crash in practice on Saturday. Article content '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.' Article content 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. Article content '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.' Article content 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
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
From last to first: Chastain gets victory at Coca-Cola 600
Ross Chastain may have started off the Coca-Cola 600 at the back of the pack, but all that matters is where he was on the last stretch. Chastain chased down William Byron to take the win in Charlotte late Sunday, earning his celebratory victory lap and watermelon smash. That's after Chastain missed the qualifiers, forcing him to start in 40th. Advertisement The win qualifies Chastain for the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. For drivers and fans, the weather fortunately held off long enough for everything to go off without a hitch. Thousands showed up and spotted military demonstrations as the race honored our men and women in uniform. 'Interacting with the promoters and everything, really energetic, a lot of stuff for my grandson -- that's probably most exciting, all the energy,' one fan said. The Coca-Cola 600 has been unlucky with rain over the last two years -- it was shortened by over 100 laps last year and had to run on Monday in 2023. The next NASCAR Cup Series race is this Sunday in Nashville. Byron remains at the top of the driver leaderboard for the season so far. (VIDEO: NASCAR drivers to honor fallen heroes in yearly Memorial Day tradition)
