USA Today via Reuters
May 22, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain (1) races during the All-Star race at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
May 22, 2022; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain (1) races during the All-Star race at Texas Motor Speedway. Mandatory Credit: John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports
During the final restart at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, the pack bumped and barged their way through the first turn. All drivers made the turn except a certain Ross Chastain, who completely missed the turn and went straight off the track. At the time, he was fifth, but his off-track excursion almost got him the lead.
After taking the access road on the final restart, Ross Chastain picked up a 30-second time penalty from #NASCAR that pushed him from second all the way to 27th.
Was it warranted?
Call in and give your thoughts to @JeffBurton, @DustinLong, and @HeyMartySnider: 1-844-627-2276. pic.twitter.com/R9hz1hyXB7
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) August 1, 2022
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If there was one thing people could say in his defense, it would be that the first corner was pretty tight. Everyone was already going three or four-wide into the corner, so it was a disaster waiting to happen. This was because there were a fair number of drivers spinning on the track.
Penalty was too severe, it definitely warranted a penalty, but not 30 seconds. 10 seconds max, he was in 5th as the field entered the corner, exited in 2nd, crossed the line in 2nd, so he only benefited a few spots, so it shouldn't have been so harsh to end up 27th. 10th maybe.
— Emil Borchert (@EmilBorchert) August 2, 2022
He gained 3 spots he deserved it… He shoulda been scored for last just like when Denny cut it he also shoulda been penalized an started in back on restart
— Nismofan192 (@racer192) August 2, 2022
Yes he should be penalized. We all agree. Next question
— Alan (@Alann73) August 1, 2022
Warranted a DQ. Made no attempt to make that corner and sped up to get in front. Cheap move from a cheap driver.
— Really NASCAR?! (@reallynascar) August 1, 2022
However, the other side of the argument was that he illegally gained a lot of time and positions. In any motorsport, going off the track and gaining an advantage or position(s) definitely warrants a penalty.
Suffice to say, many fans on social media shared similar sentiments. Admittedly, there was a bit of a debate about the severity of the punishment.
What did the fans say about Ross Chastain and his off-track excursion?
Some fans felt that the penalty was too harsh because he only made up 2-3 spots. His original penalty dropped him all the way down to 27th place. However, there were a few who believed that the driver should have faced a disqualification.
As per their observation, he made little to no attempt to make the corner at all. Some even dubbed it a ‘cheap move from a cheap driver’. Admittedly, a few noted that even though he speared off the track, the Trackhouse Racing driver slowed down and sped up later.
You obviously didn’t see him slow down and then speed up
— SM_21 (@ShortMac88) August 1, 2022
When he saw the carnage in turn 1, he floored it down the access road, came around the corner, and never fully stopped. He never attempted to take the turn and he was not run off the road. Great move if you are running booze but #nascar is supposed to be pro racing.
— Really NASCAR?! (@reallynascar) August 1, 2022
Did Hamlin get a penalty? He cut the corner earlier in race. As well as anyone who went in grass.
— Scott Wagner (@1985Wagner) August 1, 2022
Yes, he gained many positions by taking a short cut
— Larry Lee (@lblee58) August 2, 2022
Other justifications said that it made sense to go down an escape road because there was too much carnage in the turn. There was also no indication that he was running off the road, which was the case for Bubba Wallace. A fan even pointed out that there was a rule where the driver has to come to a complete halt before continuing.
traditionally if one takes an escape road, the rule is you have to come to a complete stop before continuing. those 2 didn't even slow down. I'm wondering why that rule wasn't in effect.
— scott quaile check (@scottquaile) August 2, 2022
Hell Yes…but why not try it? He's already locked into the playoffs. Possible if he crossed the finish line first NASCAR would have to think long a hard about the "winner" getting penalized 2 weeks in a row. Plus NASCAR has a history of inconsistancy. Good gamble.
— Trevor H. McFarlane (@TrvrMc) August 2, 2022
Clearly in the drivers video they got it says if you miss turn 1 you have to do a stop in the motorcycle section of turn 12 and he didn’t.
— Will (@Willford24) August 1, 2022
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All at once he thinks he’s the hottest thing going in stock car racing! But I’m an old dirt track racer from the late 60s and 70s and we had a driver like that up here we parked him every opportunity to get and that’s what he deserves! Maybe eat too much watermelon
— don kohl (@dkohl776) August 1, 2022
Some people also said that NASCAR could have been more strict with a penalty. Ultimately, he had nothing to lose, since he already qualified for the Playoffs.
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WATCH THIS STORY: “The Game Has Changed” – Denny Hamlin Criticizes the New Normal After Ross Chastain Ploughed Through AJ Allmendinger to Win the NASCAR Race in Austin
So penalizing him by sending him to the back of the pack would not have been too devastating from a championship perspective.
