Ross Chastain and wrecks have gone hand-in-hand in the current Cup Series season. While the #1 Chevy driver has performed beyond expectations, his approach has been questioned by plenty. Unfortunately, no other driver has suffered more because of this approach than Kyle Larson. In a recently released radio chatter, the Hendrick Motorsports star’s crew chief was seen infuriated by Chastain’s actions at Darlington.
Currently, Larson stands ninth in the standings with 363 points and strongly competing for the title. While there’s still a long way to go, it is understandable why the frequent wrecks have left his team annoyed, especially with Chastain involved.
Ross Chastain leaves Kyle Larson’s crew chief fuming following the Darlington incident
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Without a doubt, Ross Chastain is the talk of the hour, and surely for not-so-good reasons. After the incident at Darlington, even Rick Hendrick seemed to have run out of patience. In fact, he was quick to issue a warning to the Trackhouse Racing driver as tension rise in the Cup Series.
The problem was not entirely with the Darlington wrecks but with the frequency of such incidents. It is no secret why Chastain’s fellow drivers are unhappy with his overly aggressive driving. However, it looks like the incident at the Darlington Raceway was the last straw as the community seems to have lost its cool. In fact, the frustration was quite evident in how Kyle Larson’s crew chief reacted during the race.
Rick Hendrick gives his thoughts on Ross Chastain. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/aljzdQWGQR
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) May 15, 2023
The unfortunate incident at Darlington took place with just six laps to go. As both Larson and Chastain were hunting for the lead, the latter was guilty of putting the HMS star into the wall, thus instigating a crash. Unfortunately, this saw both drivers’ chances of leading the race effectively nullified. Naturally, it enraged Larson’s crew chief Cliff Daniels as a golden opportunity was missed out.
In a recently shared radio chatter from NASCAR, Cliff Daniels was seen frustrated after the incident. After the crash, he was seen exclaiming with sarcasm on the radio, “Good job. [That’s] three races that #1 car has taken us out of.” As Daniels points out, Chastain’s aggressive approach in this campaign has hurt Chevrolet cars the most.
In fact, his latest comments make his intent much more questionable.
Ross Chastain gets candid about his racing approach following the Darlington wreck
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With all the criticism surrounding Ross Chastain, his boss, the Trackhouse Racing Team co-owner Justin Marks stepped up and had an open conversation with his star driver. While Marks insisted on being careful, Chastain seems to be very clear with his approach.
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Speaking to Fox Sports journalist Bob Pockrass, the #1 car driver said, “[Marks] hired me to drive that car, and I come with my fair share of baggage. We can make this better, I will be better. That doesn’t mean I’m never going to run into somebody again. Like, I don’t want people to think I’m just going to lay over with six laps to go and a chance at a win at Darlington.”
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The 30-year-old continued, “Yes, I overstepped the line, but I’m willing to live with that for a chance at a win. I just fully overstepped the line and pushed up too far. So yes, it’s tough. But that’s big-time auto racing.”
Ross Chastain on Justin Marks comments about him: “He’s my boss. He can say anything and everything about me as long as he lets me drive that 1 car and he keeps helping me be better. … I will be better.” pic.twitter.com/bgCWHJpI5g
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 18, 2023
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It certainly becomes more interesting to see how Chastain behaves on the track after this incident. What do you think should be his approach? Let us know in the comments below.