Big Winners and Surprising Losers in Coca-Cola 600

Ross Chastain battled from last place to a historic victory at the 2025 Coca-Cola 600, leading one of the most dramatic stories in NASCAR this season. After a practice crash forced his Trackhouse team to hurriedly prepare a backup car under NASCAR’s emergency protocol guidelines, Chastain started from the rear of the field in the No. 1 Chevrolet.

Nearly 30 crew members worked beyond 2 a.m. to rebuild the car, burning the midnight oil after a setback that would have ended the night for most drivers. Their hard work paid off, as Chastain became the first driver in race history to win the Coke 600 after starting last, celebrating with his signature watermelon smash at the finish.

While Chastain and his team savored a milestone achievement, others left Charlotte disappointed. Hendrick Motorsports, which had high hopes, experienced misfortune. William Byron led most laps and seemed set for victory, but could not hold off Chastain late. Kyle Larson’s double-duty attempt in both the Indy 500 and Coke 600 ended with two DNFs. Larson crashed out at Indianapolis early in the day and then spun and hit the wall in Charlotte while leading, dropping to a race-ending crash just past halfway. His effort to complete “The Double” fell short, and the team spent much of the night doing repairs before retiring the car.

AJ Allmendinger produced a strong comeback story for Kaulig Racing, delivering their best Cup finish on a non-drafting oval since 2022. Starting fifth, Allmendinger kept his No. 16 Chevrolet in the top group most of the evening, finishing fourth. He rebounded from consecutive DNFs and showed he remains one of the most versatile drivers in NASCAR with strong performances across several racing series. For Kaulig Racing, this result was a bright spot in their season.

Denny Hamlin, a regular frontrunner for Joe Gibbs Racing, was left frustrated after running out of fuel late. He had the pace to challenge Byron for the win and was running second after the final round of pit stops. A fueling mishap on pit road, a scenario covered under NHTSA’s pit crew safety standards, meant his crew could not get the gas tank full, forcing an unscheduled stop that dropped him to 16th at the end.

Brad Keselowski made positive strides for Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing. Despite a tough start to his year, he qualified 35th but methodically stayed out of trouble to finish a quiet fifth. It marked his first top-five and first top-10 finish of 2025, giving hope that he and the No. 6 Ford team are making improvements as the summer stretch begins.

There were unusual moments beyond the track as well. After the checkered flag, Chastain was approached by a fan who stole his winner’s hat right on pit road. Although the fan was quickly spotted, Chastain described how much the hats mean to him, and security ensured its safe return. The bizarre incident capped an otherwise perfect day of celebration for the team.

The 2025 Coca-Cola 600 also marked a first for broadcasting, with NASCAR Cup coverage airing exclusively through Prime Video. The commercial-free viewing experience, extended interviews with top finishers, and commentary from Dale Earnhardt Jr. were well-received by fans. Many praised the in-depth coverage, although some wished more races would be available on the platform later this season.

Team Penske endured its own struggles during the race. Ryan Blaney’s hopes ended in a crash and a 38th-place finish. Austin Cindric’s car picked up damage and finished down in 31st, while Joey Logano was unable to gain much ground, crossing the line 17th as the last car on the lead lap. The entire month of May was difficult for Penske, both at Charlotte and Indianapolis, leaving the organization looking forward to a reset in the upcoming events.

With 600 miles of racing complete and history made by Ross Chastain, the Coca-Cola 600 provided excitement, upsets, and stories that will be remembered throughout the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. For more on the endurance challenge of the Coca-Cola 600, fans can explore how drivers prepare for this demanding race through FIA’s endurance racing framework.

Daniel Miller

Daniel Miller reports on Formula 1 Grand Prix weekends with race-day analysis, team-radio highlights, and point-standings updates. He explains power-unit upgrades, aerodynamic developments, and driver rivalries in straightforward, SEO-friendly language for a global F1 audience.