NASCAR’s annual race at the Kentucky Speedway went on as scheduled despite storms raging across the Bluegrass State today. The Quaker State 400 ended in spectacular fashion with an unusual winner.

Rookie Cole Custer won the race in an incredibly exciting finish, edging out veteran Martin Truex Jr. for his first career win. The 22-year-old is the first Sunoco rookie to win a race in the NASCAR cup series in nearly four years, and the third since 2009.

Here is a video of Custer in the last lap fending off the competition and finishing in first place:

One of the wildest late-lap battles for the lead in recent memory! 🤩

Relive the final lap that gave @ColeCuster his first win in the NASCAR Cup Series! #QS400 pic.twitter.com/29ZqkUPCYP

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 12, 2020

The race today was just Custer’s 20th career series start, as it did not take long for the rookie to get a win under his belt. Here is the 22-year-old discussing his performance in the race after finishing with his first career victory:

Newly-minted NASCAR All-Star @ColeCuster has some thoughts after winning his first NASCAR Cup Series race!#QS400 pic.twitter.com/SORoz9d43V

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) July 12, 2020

The wild finish tonight in Sparta, KY combined with the rarity of a rookie winning injected some needed excitement into a sports-loving society desperate for live competitions. Hopefully the suspense keeping us on the edge of our living room chairs will continue as sporting events across the country ramp back up.