Ross Chastain has made history with his first win at the Coca-Cola 600, a crown jewel event in NASCAR. The victory came after a remarkable comeback, as Chastain started at the back of the field and took the lead from two-time Daytona 500 winner William Byron with six laps left.
Chastain’s team worked tirelessly to repair his car after a crash during practice on Saturday. NASCAR intervened, forcing them to build a new car instead of fixing the original one. This move proved to be a turning point in the event, as Chastain went on to win the race.
The win marks a significant milestone for Trackhouse Racing, and it’s been a long time coming. Chastain smashed watermelon to celebrate, a tradition that started after his first NASCAR Cup Series race and continues with each of his wins.
Byron was left disappointed, despite leading the most laps, 283. “He got a run on me and was able to get to the bottom of the track off of two,” he said. Kyle Larson’s day also ended in a wreck, and Jimmie Johnson suffered an early exit due to a rookie mistake.
Chastain expressed his gratitude towards his crew chief, Phil Surgen, and team members for their relentless efforts. The victory is a testament to the team’s dedication and hard work.
Source: https://www.espn.com/racing/story/_/id/45323249/ross-chastain-outraces-william-byron-wins-coca-cola-600