USA Today via Reuters
Apr 23, 2022; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain (1) walks down pit road during qualifying for the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
USA Today via Reuters
Apr 23, 2022; Talladega, Alabama, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain (1) walks down pit road during qualifying for the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway. Mandatory Credit: Jasen Vinlove-USA TODAY Sports
Ross Chastain has definitely not made too many friends with his on-track antics. With the upcoming playoffs, one has to wonder if he will be safe from the wrath of his rivals. In light of all this, defending champion Kyle Larson made a comparison between Chastain and Brad Keselowski.
According to him, the then Team Penske driver used to be as aggressive as the Trackhouse Racing star. However, he has since mellowed out and went on to win his one and only Cup Series title. It is worth mentioning though, that many fans were divided in their opinion of his comparison.
Watching Nascar for over three decades, I have learned this, they all remember what another driver did to them, but they never what they did to another driver or what they did to win.
— Christine Pierson (@ChrisPTSFan14) August 18, 2022
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Ross hasn’t done anything that Brad, KyBu, Harvick or many other drivers have done. He’s hungry like they were early in their career, hope he stomps their ass. Can’t stand the whining.
— Scott Brotherton (@Bro_Tom_) August 18, 2022
Worked out ok for Brad, he got a championship haha
— Bentley7652 (@Bentley7652) August 18, 2022
I’m already thinking about how many wrecks BK might cause at Daytona next week as he is obviously desperate to make the playoffs. 🤔
— Philip Pegler (@PhilipPegler) August 18, 2022
As a fan…I love @RossChastain’s aggressiveness…he has become my favorite driver this year. I hope he don’t change a thing.
— Joey Kennedy (@RevKennedy_4) August 18, 2022
Some people acknowledged that drivers never forget rivals who wronged them. Though they rarely acted to retaliate against them in revenge or in desperation to win.
Others joked about how Keselowski’s previous aggression worked out for him later on. This was because it eventually led him to his maiden Cup Series title.
What will happen to Ross Chastain when the Playoffs begin?
The #1 driver will probably be racing the way he normally does. However, if or when that happens, it is a real possibility that his rivals may try and exact their revenge. Denny Hamlin is one such driver who will be particularly aggrieved since they have clashed a lot this season.
None of the chase drivers are going to give anybody any slack; its go big or go home time.
— eirhamlinfan (@eirhamlinfan) August 18, 2022
Wish BK was alittle more aggressive this year
— patty coy follows#2#6#21#38 cup drivers & CC BW (@PJCoy) August 18, 2022
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And Ross sure as hell won't make it easy on them.
— Thomas Meyer (@ThomasM5150) August 18, 2022
On the other hand, Chastain is not the kind of driver who will roll over so easily. So it will be interesting to see how the following races will play out. Furthermore, some people expressed a wish for Keselowski to be a bit more aggressive. So far, the Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing driver has been languishing in the midfield.
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In fact, he only has three Top 10 finishes this season, with a best finish of 7th. That finish came at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and it looks like there is no chance of him qualifying for the Playoffs.
