It has been a tumultuous few days for NASCAR. The sudden death of two time champion Kyle Busch has the entire NASCAR community in shock. And just in time for one of the biggest weekends in NASCAR, the much needed rains descend upon Charlotte Motor Speedway, wreaking major havoc for practice, qualifying, and racing on this triple header weekend.
Richard Childress Racing has announced that Austin Hill will be driving in place of Kyle Busch this weekend; but Hill will not be in the eight car, he will be driving the number 33 car. RCR has said that they are retiring the number eight car…for now…and are reserving the car for Brexton Busch when he is ready to advance to NASCAR. Brexton turned eleven on May 18.
In tribute, the drivers will be carrying number eight decals on their cars. Some of the drivers have “Rowdy” above their doors.
This weekend, Prime takes over the next fives race broadcasts with Adam Alexander, Dale Earnhardt Jr, and Steve Letarte in the booth.
Speaking on Kyle Busch, Steve Letarte noted that there isn’t a single person in the garage that Busch has not touched in some way from helping them get their start in NASCAR to fellow competitor and teammate.
Qualifying for the Coca-Cola 600 has been cancelled with the field being set by the NASCAR metric; putting points leader Tyler Reddick on the pole with Ty Gibbs starting alongside on the front row.
Track drying continues in hope of getting the track dry enough for some Cup Series practice.
With the track finally dry, a few drivers brave the green track to be the first to lay down some practice laps.
Memorial Day weekend, the driver are carrying the names of members of the military who gave their life in service of the nation and many are also carrying patriotic paint schemes.
The past two years Kyle Larson has “run the double”, this year he is focusing solely on the 600; but there is another driver who is going to attempt the to “run the double” and be the first to do so – Katherine Legge.
After a little over 15 minutes on the track, NASCAR has displayed the red flag for rain in the area.
After a short delay, the drivers are back on the track again.
Austin Dillon has a tire issue to bring out the red flag while NASCAR checks the track for debris.
The drivers are back on the track and running again.
A total of 39 teams have brought cars to Charlotte for the race with everyone starting the race.
Trackhouse Racing’s Connor Zilisch and Ross Chastain are running all three races this weekend.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr tops the leaderboard in single laps with a time of 29.069 seconds.
The starting lineup for the Coca-Cola 600:
Tyler Reddick
Ty Gibbs
Shane van Gisbergen
Michael McDowell
Chase Briscoe
Ryan Blaney
Chris Buescher
Austin Cindric
Austin Dillon
AJ Allmendinger
Denny Hamlin
Ryan Preece
Austin Hill
Daniel Suarez
John Hunter Nemechek
Chase Elliott
Christopher Bell
Kyle Larson
Zane Smith
Todd Gilliland
Erik Jones
Cole Custer
Carson Hocevar
Bubba Wallace
Connor Zilisch
Brad Keselowski
Ross Chastain
Noah Gragson
Alex Bowman
Riely Herbst
William Byron
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Joey Logano
Josh Berry
Ty Dillon
Timmy Hill
Katherine Legge
Cody Ware
Corey Heim
A 600 mile race, NASCAR has divided the race into four 100 laps stages. Drivers can run 65 to 70 laps on a single load of fuel and will have to make a pit stop in every stage.
As a part of the dedication, members of the Busch family were in attendance as a tribute and prayer were said and the playing of “Amazing Grace” on the Highland bag pipes.
The roar of the engines fill the air after a rousing command from the USO Members of the Year.
Before the green flag drops NASCAR performs the missing man formation – the pole position is left open – in honour of Kyle Busch.
Tyler Reddick brings the field down for the green flag start of the race before a sold out crowd. Tyler Reddick edges out for the lead as the drivers spread out three wide. Tyler Reddick leads laps one with Ty Gibbs on his bumper.
Lap two, Tyler Reddick leads the race with Ty Gibbs in second;; Michael McDowell, Ryan Blaney, and Shane van Gisbergen round out the top five.
Ryan Blaney and Shane van Gisbergen battle for fourth.
Lap four, Tyler Reddick has pulled out to a half second lead on ty Gibbs.
Lap seven, Tyler Reddick has increased his lead to over half a second on Ty Gibbs; Ryan Blaney, Michael McDowell, and Shane van Gisbergen round out the top five.
Like they did when Dale Earnhardt died, the broadcasters go silent in tribute of Kyle Busch on lap eight.
Lap 10, Tyler Reddick has a lead of over half a second on Ty Gibbs with Ryan Blaney nearly three seconds back in third; Michael McDowell and Shane van Gisbergen rounding out the top five.
Lap 14, Tyler Reddick holds a lead of just over half a second on Ty Gibbs; Ryan Blaney, Michael McDowell, and Shane van Gisbergen continue to round out the top five.
Lap 21, Tyler Reddick has led every lap so far and has a lead of over half a second on Ty Gibbs; Ryan Blaney, Michael McDowell, and Chase Briscoe round out the top five.
Lap 24 Michael McDowell has lost several spots over the last few laps and is now in eighth place.
Lap 25, the top five are Tyler Reddick, ty Gibbs, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, and Shane van Gisbergen.
Lap 27, leader Tyler Reddick has begin lapping slower traffic.
Lap 28, Tyler Reddick has increased his lead to over a second on Ty Gibbs with Chase Briscoe and Ryan Blaney in a battle for third; Shane van Gisbergen rounds out the top five.
Ryan Blaney is reporting some handling issues in his car.
Lap 31, Tyler Reddick’s lead is now under a second on Ty Gibbs; Chase Briscoe, Ryan Blaney, and Shane van Gisbergen round out the top five.
Denny Hamlin has entered the top 10 in ninth.
The first caution flag of the race comes out on lap 36 when Josh Berry gets loose and into the wall.
Drivers come down pit road for service with Tyler Reddick winning the race off of pit road.
Timmy Hill is the “lucky dog”.
Ryan Blaney lost 14 spots on pit road as his pit road issues continue.
Carson Hocevar had a slow pit stop and is mired back in the field.
Tyler Reddick brings the field down for the green flag restart with Chase Briscoe alongside on lap 40. Reddick and Briscoe go side by side with Ty Gibbs looking to make it a three way battle.
Lap 41, Tyler Reddick takes the lead.
The top five are Tyler Reddick, Chase Briscoe, ty Gibbs, Denny Hamlin, and Ryan Preece.
Lap 43. Ty Gibbs and Chase Briscoe battle for second.
Lap 45, Tyler Reddick has a third of a second lead on Chase Briscoe; Ty Gibbs, Denny Hamlin, and Ryan Preece round out the top five.
Lap 47, Katherine Legge is the only driver not on the lead lap.
Lap 48, Daniel Suarez comes down pit road for an unscheduled pit stop. He returns to the track in 38th place and is now one lap down.
Lap 52, Tyler Reddick has a near half second lead on Chase Briscoe; Ty Gibbs, Denny Hamlin, and Ryan Preece round out the top five.
In just 35 laps the tires are starting to cord.
The second caution flag of the race comes out after a big crash with Connor Zilisch and Austin Cindric. The front end of Cindric’s car is destroyed. Cindric is out of his car. Austin Cindric got loose and was spinning down the track when he got hit by Zilisch. There was also some damage to William Byron’s car after contact with Cindric.
Daniel Suarez is the “Lucky dog”.
Most of the field comes down pit road for service with Ryan Preece winning the race off of pit road.
After staying out on the track, Ross Chastain is the race leader and will bring the field down for the green flag restart. Tyler Reddick restarts the race in sixth place.
Ross Chastain brings the field down with Ryan Preece alongside on lap 60. Bubba Walalce gets into the wall but the track stays green. Zane Smith comes up to battle for the lead. Ryan Preece and Zane Smith battle for the lead.
William Byron and Michael McDowell make contact and get into bubba Wallace; sending Wallace into the wall. Wallace brings his car down pit road.
Lap 62, the top five are Zane Smith, Tyler Reddick, Ryan Preece, Chris Buescher, and Kyle Larson.
Lap 65, Zane Smith has a third of a second lead on Tyler Reddick; Ryan Preece, Kyle Larson, and Chris Buescher round out the top five.
Carson Hocevar makes an unscheduled trip down pir road with a possible flat tire.
Ross Chastain is falling through the field on old tires.
Lap 69, leaders have gotten single file but back in the field the drivers are battling three wide looking for some clean air.
Lap 70, Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick battle for second.
Lap 72, Tyler Reddick passes Kyle Larson for second with Zane Smith leading the race by over half a second.
Lap 76, the top five are Zane Smith, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson, Ryan Preece, and Denny Hamlin.
Lap 77, Zane Smith has pulled out to a near one second lead on Tyler Reddick; Kyle Larson, Ryan Preece, and Denny Hamlin round out the top five.
Lap 85, Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin battle for second. Zane Smith has pulled out to a lead of over a second.
With 14 laps remaining in stage one the top five are Zane Smith, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson ,and Ty Gibbs.
After staying out on the track in old tires, Ross Chastain is the last car on the lead lap in 33rd. place
Chase Elliott gets loose and into the wall to bring out the caution flag with 10 laps remaining in stage one. He says “they’re all flat”. He hits the inside wall head on. Elliott has to have his care towed off the track.
Drivers come down pit road for fresh tires and service with Erik Jones winning the race off of pit road after taking only two tires.
Zane Smith was caught speeding on pit road. Christopher Bell was charged with an equipment interference when a tire rolled into the next pit stall causing the tire changer to have to jump over the tire.
Bubba Wallace is the “lucky dog”.
Michael McDowell stays out on the track and leads the race. Kyle Larson passes for the lead with five laps remaining in stage one.
Denny Hamlin and Kyle Larson battle for the lead.
The top five are Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Chase Brisoce, Tyler Reddick, and Erik Jones.
Kyle Larson is the only car in the top five that is not a Toyota.
Kyle Larson wins stage one.
The top 10 at the end of stage one:
Kyle Larson
Chase Briscoe
Tyler Reddick
Denny Hamlin
Erik Jones
Ryan Blaney
Ty Gibbs
Ryan Preece
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Shane van Gisbergen
Carson Hocevar is the “lucky dog”.
Most of the field stayed out on the track but some of the drivers come down pit road for service.
Out of the race, Chase Elliott said that he made a mistake and paid for it.
Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag start of stage two with Chase Briscoe alongside on lap 109. Larson gets out in front for the lead. Drivers are three wide through the field.
Lap 110, Kyle Larson leads the race with Chase Briscoe in second; Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.
Chase Briscoe passes Kyle Larson for the lead.
Lap 115, Chase Briscoe has pulled out to a lead of over half a second place driver Denny Hamlin; Kyle Larson, Tyler Reddick, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.
After coming down pit road with a flat tire and going a lap down, Carson Hocevar is back on the lead lap and in the top 20
Lap 120, Ty Gibbs passes Kyle Larson for fourth.
Lap 122, there are 34 cars on the lead lap with three drivers out of the race.
Lap 123, Chase Briscoe has a lead of over half a second on Denny Hamlin; Tyler Reddick, Ty Gibbs, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.
Brad Keselowski reports that his cool suit is not working. He said that he is burning in the car. When a cool suit stops working, the water turns hot.
At eight o’clock the skies are still blue but the lights are beginning to come on as the track will start to change.
Austin Dillon makes an unscheduled trip down pit road for a flat tire.
Lap 139, Denny Hamlin has caught leader Chase Briscoe and begins to challenge for the lead.
Ty Gibbs has passed Tyler Reddick for third.
Lap 142, the top five are Chase Briscoe, Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, Tyler Reddick, and Kyle Larson.
Lap 144, Denny Hamlin passes Chase Briscoe for the lead.
Lap 144, William Byron is the first driver to make a green flag pit stop to begin the cycle.
Lap 147, the green flag pit stop cycle continues as more ddrivers come down pit road for service.
Lap 148, leader Denny Hamlin comes down pit road for his pit stop; Christopher Bell is the new leader.
Joey Logano has a slow stop.
Lap 152, Christopher Bell gives up the lead for his green flag pit stop. Carson Hocevar is the new leader.
The tow is out on Bubba Wallace’s car after his stage one incident.
Carson Hocevar has a slow stop with a Jack and lug nut issue.
Denny Hamlin has retakes the lead after green flag pit stops have cycled through.
Lap 158, the top five are Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, Kyle Larson, and Tyler Reddick.
There were a number of seriously corded tires during the last pit stop cycle.
Lap 166, Denny Hamlin has pulled out to a four second lead on Chase Briscoe; Ty Gibbs, Kyle Larson, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Daniel Suarez says he has a vibration and something isn’t right. The crew reports that the tires are secure.
There are 25 cars on the lead lap.
The top three cars are Joe Gibbs Racing cars.
Lap 172, Denny Hamlin has a four second lead on Chase Briscoe who has a four second lead on Ty Gibbs; Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Lap 174, Denny Hamlin is battling Austin Hill to put Hill a lap down.
Shane van Gisbergen has been in the top 10 all night so far. He reports that the car is a little tight.
Ty Gibbs has passed Chase Briscoe for second and is nearly four seconds behind leader Denny Hamlin.
Lap 184, the top five are Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson, and Tyler Reddick.
Just 13 laps remain in stage two; Denny Hamlin has pulled out to a four and a half second lead over Ty Gibbs; Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
There are 21 cars on the lead lap.
Alex Bowman has a trans-axle issue with no first or second gear.
Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick battle for fourth.
Nine laps remain in stage two; there are just 20 cars on the lead lap as leader Denny Hamlin marches his way through the field.
With five laps remaining in stage two, there are now just 18 cars on the lead lap.
Michael McDowell comes down pit road with three laps remaining in stage two.
Tonight Michael McDowell is making career start number 550.
Denny Hamlin has lapped over half the field and wins stage two in the process.
The top 10 at the end of stage two:
Denny Hamlin
Ty Gibbs
Chase Briscoe
Kyle Larson
Christopher Bell
Ryan Blaney
Chris Buescher
Shane van Gisbergen
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Drivers come down pit road shut the engines down as a large flag is unfurled – the Honour and Remember flag – for a moment of silence to remember those who have given their life in the service of their country.
The lights are out and a drone show appears. Including a U.S. flag.
Drivers come down pit road for service with Denny Hamlin winning the race off of pit road with four fresh tires.
There is some possible inclement weather on the way.
Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag start of stage three with Chase Briscoe alongside on lap 208. Briscoe comes up on the outside to battle Hamlin for the lead.
The top five are Denny Hamlin, chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson, Ty Gibbs, and Ty Reddick.
The caution flag comes out for a loose tire on the track from Katherine Legge’s car.
Some of the drivers come down pit road for fresh tires.
Denny Hamlin brings the field down for the green flag restart with Chase Briscoe alongside on lap 217. Hamlin edges out for the lead but Briscoe comes up on the outside . Tyler Reddick makes it a three wide battle with Reddick taking the lead.
Lap 218, the top five are Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson, and Ty Gibbs.
Lap 221, Denny Hamlin battle Tyler Reddick for the lead and gets back out in front.
Christopher Bell has moved up to seventh.
Lap 223. Tyler Reddick passes Denny Hamlin to retake the lead.
Denny Hamlin barely misses getting into the wall.
Lap 225, the top five are Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Chase Briscoe, and Ty Gibbs.
A very excited Shane van Gisbergen has worked his way to sixth place.
Joey Logano and Ross Chastain battle for tenth.
Lap 230, Christopher Bell finally gets around Shane van Gisbergen for sixth.
Lpa 232, the top five are Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Chase Briscoe, and Ty Gibbs.
Lap 240, Tyler Reddick has a lead of just over half a second on Denny Hamlin; Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson, and Ty Gibbs round out the top five.
Lap 245, Tyler Reddick has increased his lead to a second on Denny Hamlin.
Lap 149, Josh Berry begins the cycle of green flag pit stops as more drivers trickle in as the bad weather works its way to the track.
Tyler Reddick and Denny Hamlin make their pit stops. Christopher Bell is the new leader.
Lap 255, just three cars have yet to make their green flag pit stops. Once the pit stops cycle through, Tyler Reddick will retake the lead.
Lap 257 Christopher Bell makes his pit stop. Zane Smith makes his stop to complete the cycle.
Tyler Reddick has a near half second lead on Denny Hamlin; Chase Briscoe, ty gibbs, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.
Lap 268, Tyler Reddick has a one second lead on Denny Hamlin; Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.
Chase Briscoe passes Denny Hamlin for second.
There are just 19 cars on the lead lap.
Lap 276, Tyler Reddick holds a one second lead on Chase Briscoe; Denny Hamlin, Ty Gibbs, and Kyle Larson round ut the top five.
Joey Logano is celebrating his 37th birthday today.
Lap 284, Ty Gibbs passes Denny Hamlin for third.
Tyler Reddick and Chase Briscoe battle for the lead with slower traffic ahead.
With 16 laps remaining in stage three, Tyler Reddick leads the race with Chase Brisco on his bumper. Denny Hamlin moves up on the inside for a battle for the lead. Denny Hamlin takes the lead with Chase Briscoe on his bumper; Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, and Tyler Reddick round out the top five.
Lap 290, Chase Briscoe and Christopher Bell battle for second.
Lap 291, Chase Briscoe gets into the wall but he keeps going and the track stays green.
Denny Hamlin is putting slower traffic more laps down.
The top five are Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs, Chase Briscoe, and Tyler Reddick.
Seven laps remain in stage three, Denny Hamlin has a quarter of a second lead on Christopher Bell; Ty Gibbs, Chase Briscoe, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.
Five laps remain in stage three, Christopher Bell passes Denny Hamlin for the lead.
Three laps to go in stage three, Christopher Bell has a lead of over a second and a half on Denny Hamlin.
With a two second lead, Christopher Bell wins stage three.
The top 10 at the end of stage three:
Christopher Bell
Denny Hamlin
Ty Gibbs
Chase Briscoe
Chase Briscoe
Kyle Larson
Tyler Reddick
Shane van Gisbergen
Brad Keselowski
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Timmy Hill’s car is on pit road smoking heavily from a fire. Hill is out of the car.
Timmy Hill’s car has been towed away and the surface has been cleaned up; the drivers come down pit road for service with Christopher Bell winning the race off of pit road with teammate Ty Gibbs right behind.
Christopher Bell brings the field down for the green flag start of stage four with Ty Gibbs alongside on lap 313. Drivers are three and four wide in a battle for position. Ty Gibbs takes the lead.
The top five are Ty Gibbs, Tyler Reddick, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Shane van Gisbergen.
There is rain all around the track.
Ross Chastain brings out the caution flag when he spins out and gets into the wall after contact form Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Chastain walks away from the wreck.
Drivers come down pit road for service but not all of them. Kyle Larson wins the race off of pit road after taking only two tires.
After staying out on the track, Ty Gibbs brings the field down for the green flag restart with Shane van Gisbergen alongside on lap 327. Drivers get three wide. Shane van Gisbergen jumps out in front from the outside lane with Christoher Bell on his bumper.
The top five are Shane van Gisbergen, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Ty Gibbs.
Big crash involving Ryan Preece, Josh Berry, Chase Briscoe, and Chris Buescher.
A few drivers come down pit road for service; leaders stay out.
Shane van Gisbergen brings the field down for the green flag restart with Christopher Bell alongside on lap 337. SVG and Christopher Bell battle for the lead.
The top five are Christopher Bell, Shane van Gisbergen, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, and
Kyle Larson
Denny Hamlin and Shane van Gisbergen battle for second with Hamlin taking the spot.
There are just 17 cars on the lead lap.
Austin Dillon takes a smoking car to the garage after getting into the wall and the track stays green.
Lap 344, Christopher Bell has a half second lead on Denny Hamlin; Tyler Reddick, Shane van Gisbergen, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.
Just 52 laps remaining in the race; Christpher Bell has a lead of over half a second on Denny Hamlin; Tyler Reddick, Shane van Gisbergen, and Kyle Larson round out the top five.
Shane van Gisbergen and Kyle Larson battle for fourth.
The caution flag comes out for lightening six miles away from the track. There must be 30 minutes of no lightening before the race can proceed. If lightening strikes, the 30 minute clock begins again.
Pit road is open as word from the meteorologist that the area is clear – no lightening. The lightening is moving away from the track.
Drivers are on pit road for service. Taking only two tires, Daniel Suarez wins the race off of pit road.
Daniel Suarez brings the field down for the green flag restart with Christopher Bell alongside with 41 laps remaining in the race. Suarez gets out in front after a push from Kyle Larson.
The top five are Daniel Suarez, Christopher Bell, Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, and Tyler Reddick.
Denny Hamlin passes Kyle Larson for third.
The caution flag comes out with 39 laps to go for rain on the track.
NASCAR reports that there is very light rain all around the track. The drivers continue to circle the track under yellow flag conditions.
NASCAR is bringing the cars down pit road to wait out the rain and the red flag has been displayed.
The rain has stopped and NASCAR has pulled the red flag and displayed the yellow as they prepare to go racing again.
Daniel Suarez brings the field down for the green flag restart with Christopher Bell alongside with just 31 laps remaining in the race. Suarez gets out in front after a push from Kyle Larson.
The top five are Daniel Suarez, Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, Tyler Reddick, and Zane Smith.
Denny Hamlin moves up on the inside to battle for the lead.
The caution flag comes out for more rain.
The sprinkles have gotten much harder and they are losing the track.
NASCAR brings the drivers down pit road and the red flag is back out.
NASCAR is allowing the drivers to get out of their cars.
NASCAR has called the race and Daniel Suarez is the winner! Daniel’s family from Mexico is in town for a visit and at the track.
Daniel Suarez said that the win means a lot, Fellow drivers keep interrupting the interview for hugs and congratulations. Daniel said the win is for Kyle Busch.
Prior to the race, Daniel Suarez said that when he first came to NASCAR he called Kyle Busch every week for help and advice and Kyle would talk to him even though Daniel could not speak English.
Corey LaJoie said that the rain was no coincidence.
The unofficial results of the Coca-Cola 600:
Daniel Suarez
Christopher Bell
Denny Hamlin
Tyler Reddick
Kyle Larson
Ty Gibbs
Ryan Blaney
Joey Logano
William Byron
Zane Smith
Shane van Gisbergen
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Erik Jones
Michael McDowell
Brad Keselowski
Cole Custer
Alex Bowman
AJ Allmendinger
Corey Heim
Todd Gilliland
Riley Herbst
Bubba Wallace
Carson Hocevar
Noah Gragson
Ty Dillon
John Hunter Nemenchek
Austin Hill
Cody Ware
Josh Berry
Chris Buescher
Katherine Legge
Austin Dillon
Ryan Preece
Chase Briscoe
Ross Chastain
Timmy Hill
Chase Elliott
Austin Cindric
Connor Zilisch