Christopher Bell wins rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600: A lightning delay that turned into a heavy rainstorm made a winner of Christopher Bell in Sunday’s Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Not that Bell didn’t deserve the victory in the rain-shortened race, which NASCAR was forced to call after 249 of 400 laps were complete.[Read More]
#20-Christopher Bell won the rain-shortened Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The win is his 2nd win of the year, 2nd at Charlotte (1st on the oval) and 8th career win.
#6-Brad Keselowski finished 2nd followed by #24-William Byron, pole winner #54-Ty Gibbs, #45-Tyler Reddick, #11-Denny Hamlin, #9-Chase Elliott, #1-Ross Chastain, #48-Alex Bowman, and #4-Josh Berry.
The race was called with 249 laps complete. NASCAR tried to dry the track for over an hour but was not making enough progress to get the race restarted at a reasonable hour.
#5-Kyle Larson finished the Indianapolis 500 in 18th on Sunday afternoon and just made it to the track before rain hit. Justin Allgaier, substituting for him, finished 13th.
Stage 1 was won by #24-William Byron. Stage 2 was won by #20-Christopher Bell. Because the race was cut short, Bell is also credited with the Stage 3 win.
There were 21 lead changes among 10 drivers and 7 cautions for 45 yellow flag laps. There was also a brief red flag during the second stage break for NASCAR’s moment of silence.
The average speed of the race was: 123.053mph.
See race details at: Race Results, Driver Points Standings, Owner Points Standings, Cumulative Report, Penalty Report.
Race Fast Facts – Charlotte:
Christopher Bell won the Coca-Cola 600, his eighth victory in 158 Cup Series races.
This is his second victory and seventh top-10 finish in 2024.
This is his first victory and third top-10 finish in six races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Brad Keselowski (second) posted his 11th top-10 finish in 25 races at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his seventh top-10 finish in 2024.
William Byron (third) posted his fourth top-10 finish in eight races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Josh Berry (10th) was the highest finishing rookie.
Denny Hamlin leads the point standings by 5 points over Martin Truex Jr.
(NASCAR)
Cup Series Playoff Standings after Charlotte:
Race 14 of 26 in the regular season
1) #11-Denny Hamlin [3 wins], 492 [points leader]
2) #24-William Byron [3 wins], 453
3) #5-Kyle Larson [2 wins], 486
4) #20-Christopher Bell [2 wins], 377
5) #9-Chase Elliott [1 win], 471
6) #45-Tyler Reddick [1 win], 430
7) #6-Brad Keselowski [1 win], 388
8) #99-Daniel Suarez [1 win], 276
9) #19-Martin Truex, Jr., 487
10) #54-Ty Gibbs, 430, -52
11) #48-Alex Bowman, 406, -86
12) #1-Ross Chastain, 389, -103
13) #12-Ryan Blaney, 376, -116
14) #23-Bubba Wallace, 355, -137
15) #8-Kyle Busch, 346, -146
16) #17-Chris Buescher, 345, -147
See the Driver Points Standings and Owner Points Standings.
Race updates:
11:30pm/et – NASCAR pulls the plug and declares the race over. High humidity was causing the track to dry too slowly.
11:00pm/et – Track drying continues.
10:39pm/et – The lightning hold has been lifted. Track drying is underway with jet dryers and air titans.
10:25pm/et – NASCAR is sending Air Titans out onto the track. It could be midnight before the track is dry. It would take approximately 90 minutes to finish the remaining laps.
10:17pm/et – Rain has nearly stopped but more than 15 minutes remain on the current lightning hold.
10:03pm/et – It’s still raining at the track. Once it stops it will likely take about 90 minutes to dry the track.
9:47pm/et – NASCAR says the track is lost. This will be an extended delay if they are able to continue. Lots of lightning in the area and the hardest rain hasn’t hit the track yet.
Lap 250 – Red flag is out. Lightning in the area. Fans asked to exit the grandstands. Larson is in his pit stall and will replace Allgaier if the race restarts.
Lap 245 – Caution is out for rain. Current top 10: Bell Keselowski Byron Gibbs Reddick Hamlin Elliott Chastain Bowman and Berry. Just as the caution came out, Kyle Larson’s helicopter was about to land just outside the track.
Lap 240 – Bell leads Keselowski by a half second. Third place Byron is 1.6 second back.
Lap 236 – Green flag flies. Bell and Keselowski out front. Rain is nearby.
9:20pm/et – Kyle Larson’s plan has landed in Concord. He will now helicopter to the track.
Lap 235 – Restart waved off due to reports of rain.
Lap 232 – Leader pit again knowing this could be the last stop if rain hits hard. Bell off first again, then Keselowski Reddick Gibbs and Byron.
Lap 229 – Caution for a spin by Corey LaJoie between turns 1 & 2.
Lap 226 – Bell continues to lead Keselowski Byron Reddick and Wallace. Rain is getting near the track and it could be enough to end the race.
Lap 207 – Green flag for the start of the third stage.
Lap 203 – Leaders back on pit road for service. Bell off pit road first followed by Byron Wallace Elliott and Keselowski.
Lap 202 – Red flag out as cars are brought to pit road and turned off for NASCAR’s moment of silence for Memorial Day.
Lap 201 – Stage 2 ends under caution. Bell wins it. Then Byron Wallace Hamlin Keselowski Bowman Elliott Berry Chastain and Reddick. The race is now official.
Lap 197 – Caution is back out for Harrison Burton. He wrecked on the backstretch. The second stage will end under caution.
Lap 190 – Christopher Bell takes the lead from Byron. Elliott has been into the wall. He dropped to 7th.
Lap 177 – Back to green: Byron Elliott Hamlin Wallace Bell.
Lap 172 – Caution out for Noah Gragson wrecking on the backstretch. He will be done for the night.
Lap 171 – Byron around Elliott to move to the lead.
Lap 169 – Chase Elliott now the leader with Byron Wallace Truex and Hamlin rounding out the top 5.
Lap 165 – Back to green. Truex leads Berry. 36 laps remaining in stage 2 (and until an official race).
8:13pm/et – Kyle Larson is expected to land at the Concord Airport around 9:20pm/et. He will then helicopter to the track. There are reports that rain is about 60-80 minutes away.
Lap 161 – Most leaders back on pit road for service. Off pit road: Gibbs Bell Byron Keselowski and Wallace. Truex Berry Suarez and Elliott stayed out.
Lap 159 – Caution is out because Blaney’s car is sitting on pit road and NASCAR needs to remove it.
Lap 154 – Berry pits and Bell retakes the lead. He’s followed by Wallace Keselowski Byron and Chastain.
Lap 150 – Blaney is done for the night.
Lap 147 – Blaney back on pit road. He had a loose tire and hit the wall.
Lap 146 – Uncontrolled tire penalty for Blaney.
Lap 142 – Pit stops are beginning.
Lap 140 – Current top 5: Bell Chastain Gibbs Bowman Keselowski. Expect green flag pit stops to begin again soon.
Lap 122 – Bell takes the lead from Chastain.
7:44pm/et – The Indianapolis 500 has ended. Josef Newgarden wins it. Larson finished 18th after a speeding penalty took him out of the top 10. He will now return to Charlotte for the remainder of the race.
Lap 112 – Chastain to the lead.
Lap 111 – Green flag for the start of the second stage. Gibbs Chastain Gragson Hamlin McDowell Logano Byron Bell Wallace Keselowski the top 10.
Lap 105 – Most leaders back on pit road. Gibbs Chastain Gragson and Hamlin stay out. McDowell and Logano, with two tires, are the first off pit road.
Lap 101 – Caution for the end of stage 1: Byron wins it. He’s followed by Gibbs Bowman Bell Truex Wallace Blaney Keselowski Berry and McDowell.
Lap 95 – Bryon back to the lead.
Lap 94 – Green flag with 7 laps left in stage 1.
Lap 90 – Leader pit. Off pit road: Gibbs Byron Bell Bowman and Wallace.
Lap 87 – Caution for #66-BJ McLeod. He spins in turn 4.
Lap 73 – Byron takes the lead from Ty Gibbs.
Lap 52 – As pit stops have cycled through, Ty Gibbs retakes the led with Byron Bell Hamlin and Truex rounding out the top 5.
Lap 46 – Uncontrolled tire penalty for Kyle Busch.
Lap 44 – Gibbs pits from the lead.
Lap 41 – Some drivers pitting under green.
Lap 31 – With 30 laps complete, the top 10 are: Gibbs Byron Bell Truex Bowman Wallace Suarez Chastain Hamlin Elliott.
Lap 11 – Gibbs Byron Bell Truex and Bowman are the top 5.
Lap 2 – Gibbs leads the first lap. Tyler Reddick serves his pass through penalty.
6:28pm/et – Green flag at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Coca-Cola 600. Ty Gibbs and William Byron on the front row. 100 laps in the first stage. 200 laps to an official race. Rain could impact the race tonight.
6:16pm/et – Engines fired at Charlotte. Some rain could be in the air within the hour.
6:00pm/et – Pre-race ceremonies have begun for the Coca-Cola 600.
5:45pm/et – Pre-race ceremonies coming up in 15 minutes. Everything still on schedule at Charlotte. Chances of rain are increasing for later this evening.
4:45pm/et – Green flag at Indianapolis. In Charlotte, everything is still on schedule for a 6:22pm/et green flag.
4:39pm/et – Engines are fired for the Indianapolis 500. Kyle Larson will start the race in 5th.
4:35pm/et – IndyCar says the race will end at 8:15pm/et if it has not run the full 200 laps by that time.
4:07pm/et – NBC Sports reports that Larson still plans to return to Charlotte as soon as possible after the Indy 500 and get into the No. 5 Cup car to finish the race.
3:35pm/et – Hendrick Motorsports confirms Kyle Larson will start the Indianapolis 500.
3:00pm/et – Indianapolis Motor Speedway officials are shooting for a 4:45pm/et green flag.
2:55pm/et – Joey Logano will start the race tonight from the rear after the team had to change the diffuser on the car.
2:40pm/et – Track drying continues in Indy. IMS President Doug Boles says he was told Kyle Larson will stay in Indianapolis to compete in the race there. Justin Allgaier will start the Coca-Cola 600 in place of Larson if he is not there for the race. Larson will need a waiver from NASCAR to miss the race (but that’s not expected to be an issue).
2:30pm/et – Rain has ended at Indianapolis and track drying is beginning.
1:30pm/et – Still raining at Indianapolis. Everything remains on hold.
12:25pm/et – The forecast for the Charlotte area has taken a turn. There is now an increasing chance of rain throughout the evening. It doesn’t appear that there will be any issue with the race starting on time, but it could be impacted before halfway,
11:17am/et – Storms are nearing the Indianapolis area. The start of the Indianapolis 500 will be delayed.
7:40am/et – Weather looks good in Charlotte today, with a 30% chance of rain at 7:00pm, but otherwise no concerns. The same isn’t true for Indianapolis, where Kyle Larson’s effort to do the double looks in doubt. There’s a 90% chance of rain at noon there. Chances drop after that, but it could be too late for Larson to complete both races.
Race Details:
Broadcast: FOX, PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Distance: 400 laps / 600 miles
Stages: 100 / 200 / 300 / 400
Average time of race: 4:43:34
Pit road speed: 45 mph
Caution vehicle speed: 55 mph
Fuel window: 65 laps
Timing (all times local & subject to change)
Please note: As traditionally done in years past during the Coca-Cola 600, a moment of silence to recognize the fallen will be observed at the completion of Stage 2. Competitors will be brought down pit road and engines will be shut off.
Invocation: 6:00:20 p.m.
National Anthem: 6:03:40 p.m.
Command: 6:11:30 p.m.
Green Flag: 6:22:00 p.m.
Paint Schemes
Cars to the rear: #5-Allgaier (driver change), #17-Buescher (backup car), #22-Logano (unapproved adjustments), #45-Reddick (inspection penalty)
Pit Stall Selections: The selections of pit stalls for the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway have been made.
Pole winner #54-Ty Gibbs chose pit stall 1.
Outside pole sitter #24-William Byron took the 15th stall, with an opening in front of it.
See all pit choices on the Charlotte Pit Stall page.
#54-Ty Gibbs won the Busch pole for the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway with a speed of 183.955mph for his first career pole.
#24-William Byron will start second followed by #20-Christopher Bell, #19-Martin Truex Jr., #9-Chase Elliott, #8-Alex Bowman, #1-Ross Chastain, #45-Tyler Reddick, #34-Michael McDowell, and #5-Kyle Larson.
See the complete qualifying results and the Coca-Cola 600 Starting Lineup.
Charlotte Motor Speedway – Qualifying Fast Facts:
Ty Gibbs won the Pole Award for the Coca-Cola 600 with a lap of 29.355 seconds, 183.955 mph.
This is his first pole in 65 NASCAR Cup Series races.
This is his first pole and eighth top-10 start in 2024.
This is his first pole in two races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
William Byron (second) posted his eighth top-10 start of 2024 and his seventh in eight races at Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Christopher Bell (third) posted his third top-10 start at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It is his seventh in 14 races this season.
Josh Berry (13th) was the fastest qualifying rookie.
(NASCAR)
Qualifying Order
Practice for the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is over. The results:
#24-William Byron 181.317
#45-Tyler Reddick 180.114
#23-Bubba Wallace 180.060
#77-Carson Hocevar 179.336
#54-Ty Gibbs 179.062
Slowest: #16-Shane Van Gisbergen 173.466
Most laps run: #10-Noah Gragson, 34 laps
Best 10 consecutive lap avg (of 30 drivers): #5-Kyle Larson 177.415mph
Notes: #24-Byron spun in practice. #17-Buescher had a tire go down and got into the wall. He suffered heavy damage and will likely go to a backup car.
See the fastest speeds, best 10 consecutive lap average, laps run on the Coca-Cola 600 Practice speeds page.
Crew Rosters
The entry list for the Coca-Cola 600 NASCAR Cup Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway is posted, 39 teams/drivers [for 40 spots] are listed.
Drivers of note: #15-Kaz Grala, #16-Shane Van Gisbergen, #44-J.J. Yeley, #50-Ty Dillon, #84-Jimmie Johnson.
UPDATE: 40 teams are now listed with the addition of B.J. McLeod in the #66 for MBM Motorsports.
See the full entry list on the Coca-Cola 600 Entry List page.
Goodyear Fast Facts — Charlotte Motor Speedway
Race rules and information:
