Ross Chastain makes history, winning the 2025 Coca-Cola 600 from 40th place in a dramatic race filled with lead changes, strategy, and late-race twists.

Ross Chastain — He tracked William Byron in the final laps before passing him for the win with six laps to go to score his first Cup crown jewel victory. The victory came after he wrecked in practice the day before and went to a backup car, forcing him to start at the rear of the field.

Ross Chastain ran down William Byron over the final 37 laps to capture the NASCAR Cup Series' longest race, Sunday night's Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Ross Chastain passed William Byron with five laps left and won at Charlotte Motor Speedway, becoming the first driver to win the Coca-Cola 600 after starting at the back of the field.

This is Chastain's sixth career win and his first of the 2025 season. In fact, the victory is Trackhouse Racing's first win of the year. Denny Hamlin, who finished 16th, was forced to pit from third in the closing laps as the team failed to get the car full of fuel.

NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain, right, is handed a watermelon to smash on the front stretch of Charlotte Motor Speedway after winning the Coca-Cola 600 in Concord, NC on Sunday, May 25, 2025. JEFF SINER [email protected]

NASCAR will compete at Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend, with the famed Coca-Cola 600 taking center stage Sunday evening. The ARCA Menards Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and Xfinity Series will serve as the preludes to the main attraction.