O’Reilly: Ross Chastain Wins Rain Drenched and Dreary Race at Charlotte

What’s Happening?

It was a long and miserable day in Charlotte North Carolina for the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. With a start-time scheduled at 5 PM ET, only 33 laps were completed before the red flag came out for rain. We then, as a community in our grief over the loss of Kyle Busch, we endured a rain-soaked delay of nearly 5 hours. We restarted late tonight for Connor Zilisch to win Stage 1 prior to Ross Chastain taking control of the race for the second stage. After a fine mist hit the track, the caution came out with Chastain in the lead. NASCAR made the questionable decision to run the remaining laps of the second stage before red flagging it. Shortly thereafter, NASCAR deemed the race official. Ross Chastain scores his third career O’Reilly Series race.

Of course, out thoughts and prayers are with the Busch and Richard Childress Racing families.

NASCAR calls it after two stages.@RossChastain is your winner at Charlotte! pic.twitter.com/zOYRorrMsY

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) May 24, 2026

Race Report

• Justin Allgaier started the race from the pole and held onto the race lead through the first caution. The initial caution was brought out on just Lap 2 of the race when Harrison Burton spun around. The caution period was extended as a cell of rain showers once again moved through the area. The race restarted around Lap 11 and Allgaier went back to the lead. The competition caution fell on Lap 25, allowing for teams to assess their tire situation and make adjustments. During the caution period, rain once again settled in, triggering red flag conditions. There were 12 laps remaining in the opening stage.
• Officials lifted the red flag at 10 PM ET. The race restarted with leader Justin Allgaier taking 8 laps to go in the stage. As Allgaier battled loose conditions, he slipped up the track, allowing for Connor Zilisch to pass him. Zilisch went on to win the opening stage with his JRM teammates Allgaier and Chastain not far behind.
• The following drivers earned stage points in the opening stage: Justin Allgaier (9), Corey Day (7), Sam Mayer (6), Jesse Love (5), Brandon Jones (4), Rajah Caruth (3), Brent Crews (2), and Sheldon Creed (1).
• The second stage kicked off with a massive crash with heavy Chase implications. It started when Brandon Jones got turned by Sheldon Creed. The No. 20 spun in front of the field, collecting his teammate Brent Crews and Harrison Burton in the process. All three were forced to retire from the race.
• The race went green again and Ross Chastain worked his way into the race lead. After running a few laps, Sam Mayer snapped loose and he made hard contact into the outside SAFER barrier heading into Turn 1 on Lap 61.
• We went back to racing and Ross Chastain found himself in the clutches of defending series champion Jesse Love. Chastain radioed in and complained about oil being on the racing surface shortly after he, Sheldon Creed, and Taylor Gray all made contact with the outside wall. Caution once again came out on Lap 73.
• Following an extensive clean-up, they were gearing up to restart the race with 5 laps remaining in Stage 2 when a heavy mist set in, dampening conditions further. Officially, the stage ended under caution with Ross Chastain earning the stage win.
• These drivers earned points in the second stage: Jesse Love (9), Austin Hill (8), William Sawalich (7), Corey Day (5), Ryan Sieg (4), Rajah Caruth (2), and Carson Kvapil.
• Ross Chastain clocks the Xfinity Fastest Lap. Due to Chastain being committed to running the NASCAR Cup Series, he is ineligible and does not receive the additional bonus point.

Caution Tracker

• Lap 2: Harrison Burton Spins/Rain
• Lap 25: Competition Caution/Rain
• Lap 45: End of Stage 1
• Lap 53: Crews, Jones, H. Burton crash
• Lap 61: Sam Mayer hard into the outside wall
• Lap 73: Sheldon Creed, Taylor Gray, and Chastain in the wall/Rain/End of Stage 2

Official Race Results

Finally has his win in a @JRMotorsports car.@RossChastain takes @NASCAROReillyAP at @CLTMotorSpdwy! pic.twitter.com/LjW2JSwRmP

— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) May 24, 2026

Top Stage Points Earners

These drivers earned the most stage points in tonight’s race.

• Jesse Love (14)
• Corey Day (12)
• Justin Allgaier (9)
• Austin Hill (8)
• William Sawalich (7)
• Sam Mayer (6)
• Brandon Jones (4)
• Ryan Sieg (4)
• Rajah Caruth (3)
• Brent Crews (2)
• Rajah Caruth (2)
• Sheldon Creed (1)
• Carson Kvapil (1)

.@ConnorZilisch comes out after the long break and wins the first stage! pic.twitter.com/IsE6bckiET

— The CW Sports (@TheCW_Sports) May 24, 2026

Race to the Chase (Round 15 of 24)

Sheldon Creed has taken the No. 00 to the garage for repairs. https://t.co/39JIHoJuvT

— Haas Factory Team (@HaasFactoryTeam) May 24, 2026

The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race has been postponed to tomorrow, May 24 at 10 AM ET with coverage on FS1. Also Read:

Trucks: NASCAR Postpones Charlotte Truck Race

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