NASCAR Coca-Cola 600 preview: Favorite, underdog, top storylines

On Sunday, the stars of the NASCAR Cup Series will compete in the longest race on the NASCAR schedule: the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Here's what you need to know before the 66th running of the crown jewel event. 

Favorite: Kyle Larson (+600, per DraftKings)

It's surprising to see Larson, who also run the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, be declared the favorite simply for the fact that he'll already have 500 miles under his belt by the time the green flag waves at Charlotte. Nonetheless, the 2021 Coke 600 winner will undoubtedly have a fast car, and if exhaustion doesn't get to him, he'll be in the mix. 

Underdog: Ross Chastain (+2200, per DraftKings)

This is a race that fits right into Chastain's wheelhouse. Trackhouse Racing has struggled to find speed in races this year, but Chastain is usually able to find his way to a good finish in the waning moments. In a 400-lap event, there's plenty of time for the No. 1 team to adjust should Chastain's car not be to his liking, and with how good Chastain is on restarts, a late restart could be the opportunity he needs. 

Bell looks to keep momentum, win second straight World 600

All-Star Race winner and defending Coke 600 champion Christopher Bell already has three wins this season, and Charlotte gives him an excellent opportunity to make it four. Bell and the No. 20 went through a mini-slump after winning three races in a row, but the North Wilkesboro victory could be a sign of a return to form for a team capable of dominating on any given week. 

Reddick looks for win No. 1 

It's surprising that, 12 races into the 2025 season, Tyler Reddick is still searching for his first win. After making the Championship 4 in 2024, many assumed the floodgates would open for Reddick, but that hasn't been the case. Charlotte, however, is a track that suits him. Reddick has never finished worse than 14th in six starts at Charlotte and has never finished worse than ninth in the Coke 600. That includes consecutive top-five finishes in 2023 and 2024. This year, Reddick is looking to break through and finally reach victory lane.