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Ross Chastain Wins Rain-Shortened Charlotte Race, Throws Watermelon

5/24/2026

29 5 Full Breakdown

Summary

Chastain Wins

Ross Chastain (driver) won O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Charbroil 300 at Charlotte on 2026-05-24 after rain and fog ended the race.
The race ran 91 of 200 laps, 37 laps and a 4 h 21 m 59 s red-flag.
Chastain (driver) started 14th, took the lead on Lap 72 and kept it through the caution.
Jesse Love (driver) was second, with Austin Hill (driver) third.
Chastain (driver) celebrated with a watermelon-throw tribute to Kyle Busch.

Summary

Busch Dies

Kyle Busch died from severe pneumonia that progressed into sepsis, his family announced.
Austin Hill will drive Busch’s re-numbered Cup car in the upcoming Coca-Cola 600.
During the four-hour rain delay, Ross Chastain fell asleep on his hauler’s floor and Dale Earnhardt Jr. left the track.
Chastain said he hopes no other driver gets the chance to honor Busch again.

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Chastain Wins

Ross Chastain (driver) won O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Charbroil 300 at Charlotte on 2026-05-24 after rain and fog ended the race.
The race ran 91 of 200 laps, 37 laps and a 4 h 21 m 59 s red-flag.
Chastain (driver) started 14th, took the lead on Lap 72 and kept it through the caution.
Jesse Love (driver) was second, with Austin Hill (driver) third.
Chastain (driver) celebrated with a watermelon-throw tribute to Kyle Busch.

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