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NASCAR Sends Message to Ross Chastain After Historic Coca-Cola 600 Win

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Rex Villas | Last updated May 26, 2025 7:41 AM ET

Winning the 2025 Coca-Cola 600 was a tall order for Ross Chastain, not just because he was up against a talented field. Chastain missed the qualifying for the event, forcing him to start 40th in the race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Sunday.

But Chastain still found a way to finish first and take the checkered flag, thus becoming just the first driver ever to win the Coca-Cola 600 despite starting in the back of the field, according to Fox Sports.

Following his victory, Chastain got a big shoutout from NASCAR via Instagram.

“CHASTAIN STEALS THE SHOW IN CHARLOTTE! @rosschastain wins the #CocaCola600 in thrilling fashion!” NASCAR wrote in a post.

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William Byron of Hendrick Motorsports won all three stages of the 600-mile race, but he surrendered the lead to Chastain of Trackhouse Racing with only six laps to go.

When it was all said and done, Chastain led the race for only eight laps, while Byron, who finished second, paced the rest of the field for 283 laps. Chase Briscoe of Joe Gibbs Racing placed third.

Making Chastain’s victory even more impressive is the fact that he raced using a backup car. He crashed his No. 1 Chevrolet during practice, so his team had to go the extra mile to prepare a new car for him to use in the race.

“That’s the dedication it takes from Trackhouse,” Chastain said after the race (h/t Nate Ryan of NBC Sports). “There were people that had Saturdays off, and they came in for this Chevy. To drive on that final run and pass two cars that had been way better all night ... Holy cow, we just won the World 600!”

In 14 starts in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series, Chastain has a win to go with three top 5s and seven top 10s.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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