After Savagely Mocking Noah Gragson With a Smirk, “Punchgate” Hero Ross Chastain Makes a Bold “Fair Shot” Claim

Last weekend at the Kansas Speedway, Ross Chastain became one of the biggest talking points of the race. Sadly, it was for all the wrong reasons, as he was caught up in a post-race brawl with Noah Gragson. It had to do with something that Chastain did to the Legacy Motor Club driver on the track. So, Gragson went to confront his rival, and harsh words evolved into shoves, until fists finally flew. Speaking afterwards, Chastain opened up on that fateful encounter.

He told The Pat McAfee Show, “Well, they jump in the middle of the two guys you see on the video. As there is full-time security to travel with us. They help us handle our situations out in public and also on pit road between each other. They let us talk, and you see them come out the background here. Once any physical stuff happens, they jump in. He [Gragson] wanted to have a fair shot back. I would like that too, that way he doesn’t have any more ill will. He’s good with it and those guys, they’re professionals and jumped in.”

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Did Ross Chastain have it coming to him eventually?

Truthfully speaking, Chastain has a penchant for annoying other drivers. His aggressive antics have earned him a number of enemies, and the list is growing. Chief among his adversaries are Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, and many more. So one would have expected some driver to snap and engage in fisticuffs, if pushed too far. Evidently, Gragson was the first driver to break and give as well as he could take.

Now, the paddock heads to the Darlington Raceway for the throwback race weekend. One really has to wonder if he will behave himself this time. Or will he be his usual self and cross himself off of more Christmas card lists. Who knows what the future will hold. All questions will be answered when the cars finally hit the track and the race gets underway at Darlington.

READ MORE: Ross Chastain Puts ‘Punchgate’ Behind Him as He Declares Truce With Latest Rival, Noah Gragson