Ross Chastain Smashes Watermelon After Loopy Last-to-First Win at Coca-Cola 600

Ross Chastain earned one of the thrilling victories in NASCAR historical past with an inconceivable transfer from final to first on the Coca-Cola 600, his first crown jewel win and sixth Cup Series victory of his profession.

Driving a backup automotive, Chastain defied a pre-race crash in apply, a midnight sprint by his staff, and stiff competitors to earn a victory for the ages at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

From Last to First: Historic Coca-Cola 600 Comeback

According to an early ESPN report, Chastain began fortieth within the race after his foremost automotive wrecked throughout Saturday morning apply. The automotive was deemed unsafe by NASCAR officers, leaving Trackhouse Racing to rebuild a backup car initially ready for subsequent week’s race at Nashville.

Against all odds, the 32-year-old racing driver achieved a historic efficiency, incomes himself the excellence of being the primary driver to win NASCAR’s longest race from behind the sphere since Bobby Allison achieved it in 1969.

His win was sealed by a dramatic final-race move on two-time Daytona 500 champion William Byron, who led an astonishing 283 laps and swept the primary three phases of the race.

Chastain Shows Why He’s the Newest ‘Watermelon Man’

Chastain paid tribute to his household’s custom along with his now-famous watermelon smash victory get together, a ritual born from his heritage as an eighth-generation Florida watermelon farmer.

“This thing is fresh from Florida. It just came up from our family farm. Man, for the Florida watermelon industry, that’s your watermelons you’re getting right now, so y’all better go buy a dang watermelon to celebrate,” he mentioned.

He added, “I want to see videos of smashed watermelons flood the socials. I want to see it. Florida watermelons are in season.”

Team Trackhouse’s Tireless Effort Pays Off

Crew chief Phil Surgen unveiled the urgency behind the scenes, disclosing that greater than 30 staff converged on the store, with some staying previous 2:30 a.m. to get the backup automotive collectively.

Without an engine and different elements, simply hours from racing, the staff banded collectively to get Chastain again in motion.

Trackhouse Racing co-owner Justin Marks hailed the trouble as a “master class,” praising the staff’s grit and resilience below strain.

Heartbreak for William Byron and Denny Hamlin

William Byron, who simply signed a four-year extension with Hendrick Motorsports, fell tantalizingly in need of a hometown win however could not maintain off Chastain’s closing rush.

Byron mentioned that his newest loss was disappointing as a result of he led many laps however couldn’t win ultimately.

Denny Hamlin additionally fell out of competition after overestimating gas on his final pit cease, ending sixteenth.