NASCAR at Charlotte 2020 Results: Brad Keselowski Captures Victory in Overtime

Megan ArmstrongSenior Analyst IIMay 25, 2020

CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 24: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #2 Miller Lite Ford, celebrates after winning the NASCAR Cup Series Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 24, 2020 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

Brad Keselowski notched an improbable overtime victory in the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina, on Sunday night.

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
Retweet to congratulate Brad @Keselowski on his #CocaCola600 WIN! https://t.co/eimzxyMimu

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
"It's a little overwhelming, to be honest."- Brad @Keselowski after winning NASCAR's toughest race. #CocaCola600 | #NASCAR https://t.co/V75nx6PQxH

The race featured 20 lead changes—none more stunning than the 20th. Chase Elliott had passed Keselowski with around 35 laps to go and appeared to be cruising to his first Coke 600 checkered flag when Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron spun out to force overtime (NSFW language):

NASCAR @NASCAR
Just when you thought it was over ... @WilliamByron spins and brings out the yellow with less than five to go. #CocaCola600 https://t.co/pqC1r7gPaV

Jeff Gluck @jeff_gluck
Chase Elliott is furious. “I mean, you’re FUCKING KIDDING ME!” he yells.

Jeff Gluck @jeff_gluck
Elliott: “I have never in my life, man. Unfuckingbelievable. Always something.”

William Byron @WilliamByron
Shredded LR tire 👎🏼👎🏼. Feel really bad that it cost @chaseelliott and team. Had a fast car to that point.

Keselowski capitalized on the restart after Elliott was called into the pits and ended up with a disappointing second-place finish.

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
Pretty classy. https://t.co/wyZuI27pI7

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
"It's just part of it."- @ChaseElliott talks with @ReganSmith https://t.co/lil7WGEUaY

Jimmie Johnson appeared to claim second place, but it was later revealed that his No. 48 car failed inspection. Johnson was subsequently disqualified from the race, and he and his crew chief addressed the developments:

NASCAR @NASCAR
Learn more about the disqualification of the No. 48 car: https://t.co/q0rHy7LnP0 https://t.co/xXmXz8bGLa

Jimmie Johnson @JimmieJohnson
I learned on my drive home last night we had been disqualified. It’s a tough reality to process but we are ready for Wednesday and what ever else 2020 throws at us. #OneFinalTime https://t.co/r68FfeQM0s

Cliff Daniels @DanielsCliff
Disappointed about our post-race OSS. We think something must've broken but won't know until we get it back to the shop tomorrow and can diagnose. Tough news after a strong night. This team is getting stronger We are focused forward. We’ll be back Wednesday with another great car

Keselowski entered Charlotte at No. 6 in the NASCAR Cup Series, and the Coca-Cola 600 is his first Cup Series checkered flag of the season.

The top three drivers in the Cup Series standings entering Sunday were Kevin Harvick (258 points), Joey Logano (224 points) and Alex Bowman (219 points). Harvick was fresh off a win in the Real Heroes 400 at Darlington Raceway, while Bowman's March 1 Auto Club 400 victory was bookended by Logano's Pennzoil 400 and FanShield 500 triumphs.

Bowman came in 19th place in this race but not before earning points by winning Stages 1 and 2. Logano, who finished 13th, nabbed Stage 3.

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Coca-Cola 600 Top 10

1. Brad Keselowski

2. Chase Elliott

3. Ryan Blaney

4. Kyle Busch

5. Kevin Harvick

6. Martin Truex Jr.

7. Kurt Busch

8. Tyler Reddick

9. Christopher Bell

10. Chris Buescher

Full results at NASCAR.com

The race began with Kurt Busch at the pole position after he won the qualifying round earlier Sunday—marking the first official qualifying round in the Cup Series since the sport went on hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic in March.

Busch maintained the lead through the first 50 laps until the red flag came out for inclement weather:

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
Drivers are out of their cars because it's raining in Charlotte. https://t.co/b4GxW2M7PI

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
That's a lot of dryers. We will (hopefully) be back to racing soon. Stay tuned to FOX for updates from Charlotte. https://t.co/AuvmFpXQqg

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
Umbrellas can be tough. https://t.co/qGpc2dfn8C

Prior to the rain delay, Denny Hamlin was penalized for dropping a ballast from his No. 11 car, while Johnson averted what could have been a significant crash:

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
"That's a big, big deal and a huge safety concern."- @JeffGordonWeb on Denny Hamlin's car dropping ballast. https://t.co/EM5lmuHRCp

NASCAR on NBC @NASCARonNBC
#NASCAR: @DennyHamlin's team may be facing a potentially severe penalty when ballast fell off his car on the pace lap of Sunday's Coca-Cola 600 at @CLTMotorSpdwy https://t.co/jkaZmk1hbM

Once the race resumed, Clint Bowyer collided with the wall in what was a scary moment. Sixty-eight laps later, Bubba Wallace encountered a mechanical issue. Both cars' nights ended prematurely:

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
Replay: A scary crash for Clint Bowyer. https://t.co/JHs09KbGkw

Stewart-Haas Racing @StewartHaasRcng
Clint Bowyer has been evaluated and released from the care center.

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
Enjoy that beer, @ClintBowyer. See ya Wednesday. https://t.co/KptEC2yRH6

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
No brakes for Bubba. He's headed to the garage for repairs. https://t.co/8GS65vMcnt

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
"Sometimes you're the bat. Sometimes you're the ball."- @BubbaWallace #HotPass | #CocaCola600 https://t.co/Jz5gz2xITT

And while Bowman won't be pleased with a 20th-place finish, his night could have gone much worse:

FOX: NASCAR @NASCARONFOX
We agree with @JeffGordonWeb .... "Woooooooooow." What a save by @AlexBowman88. https://t.co/PntxMGVmam

Reigning Coca-Cola 600 champion Martin Truex Jr. led several points in the race but fell to sixth place before it was all over.

Truex will have another opportunity for glory at Charlotte Motor Speedway as the next Cup Series race will be back at the track Wednesday night.