Ross Chastain Coca-Cola 600 victory celebration took center stage following his remarkable win at Charlotte Motor Speedway last week. The Trackhouse Racing driver revealed that his team celebrated into the early hours after securing the historic triumph, which marked his first victory in a crown jewel race.
The #1 Chevrolet Camaro driver made racing history by winning the 600-mile event after starting from last place, a feat not achieved since Bobby Allison’s 1969 Richmond Fairgrounds victory. Chastain’s impressive climb through the field showcased resilience and skill, culminating in a late-race pass to claim the checkered flag.
Details of the Team’s Victory Celebration
After the intense race weekend, Chastain shared insights on how Trackhouse Racing marked their big win. The 32-year-old Florida native described how the celebration extended well past the race itself, emphasizing the team’s energy and enthusiasm for Memorial Day. Highlighting his experience, Chastain told reporter Stephanie Otey:
“We stayed up all night. We took full advantage… the Memorial Day, for everybody to recover. We’re in victory lane for hours after the race.” —Ross Chastain
He also explained why the Coca-Cola 600 holds special importance compared to other events. Unlike most NASCAR races, this one awards a championship ring to its winner, reflecting its elite status among crown jewel races.
“And this is one of the few races that we call champion, the Daytona 500, the World 600, as I call it, the Coca-Cola 600, is one of those. So we don’t give rings out in this sport for everything, but a couple of races we do. It says champion on the side of it, and that makes it even more special.” —Ross Chastain
Overcoming Challenges to Claim Victory
The journey to victory was particularly challenging for Chastain. After crashing in qualifying, he started at the very back of the field and had to rely on a backup car that the team worked on through the night prior to the race. The extensive preparation paid off as Chastain passed William Byron with only six laps remaining to secure the win.
William Byron had dominated the race, leading 283 of 400 laps and winning all three stages. Despite the strong competition, Chastain managed to outpace the leading drivers and coaches himself into victory lane. In a post-race interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, he expressed his disbelief at the outcome:
“To stand here in victory lane now, with this big ring, this Busch Light (beer), a big slice of watermelon that I just ate… it’s unbelievable. It really doesn’t make sense that we were able to drive up and pass two cars that were way better than us all night.” —Ross Chastain
Other notable contenders included Chase Briscoe, who started on pole and finished third, indicating one of his strongest performances this season. Denny Hamlin also challenged for the lead in the closing laps but was set back by a pit road error late in the race.
Upcoming Challenges and the Season Outlook
Following his breakthrough Coca-Cola 600 victory, Chastain heads to Nashville Superspeedway for the Cracker Barrel 400 scheduled for Sunday evening. He enters the race with confidence, having won on the 1.33-mile Tennessee track in 2023 over competitors Martin Truex Jr. and Denny Hamlin.
This victory also marks a turning point in Chastain’s 2025 season, securing his first regular-season win and putting him back on track for the NASCAR playoffs after missing out last year. His last postseason appearance was two years ago, ending in the Round of 12.
Chastain’s win at a crown jewel race not only elevates his status among top drivers but also adds momentum as he continues his championship campaign. The combination of overcoming adversity, team dedication, and strategic driving highlights the significance of this milestone in his career.