NASCAR’s silly season is headed straight to Texas Motor Speedway for its 2nd playoff rounder. While the action is headed to The Lone Star State, Ross Chastain looks like he is yet again caught in a rut. Despite the playoff extravaganza reaching the Trackhouse Racing star’s larger-than-life sponsor’s backyard, Chastain really needs to up his game to make the Championship 4.

Besides his dramatic stints with HMS’ Kyle Larson that got him in serious trouble and a sole win at Nashville, last season’s runner-up is yet to make a mark for himself this season. Though the driver captured the community’s imagination with a video game-like move to spear blast into the championship 4 last year, his current docile stature and the #1 WWEX Chevy’s inconsistency have certainly cast a shadow of doubt on his credibility.

Ross Chastain and his #1 team’s predicament & his championship ambitions

Well, who can forget Ross Chastain’s show-stopping move at Martinsville last season? Running well behind the cutline, Chastain needed an otherworldly miracle to get his #1 Chevy into the Championship 4. And the driver had just the trick for the occasion. On the last lap of the race, coming into the last turn, the then “wrecking ball” Chastain throttled up his Chevy and went all the way to the finish line while rubbing against the wall.

This gave the Trackhouse Racing car to zoom past other cars like a bat out of a storm into the final 4. Chastain’s stunning move not only got the driver back in the game but delivered a huge blow to his then-rival Denny Hamlin, edging him out in the process. However, that’s all in the past now as NASCAR has banned his “Hail Melon,” deeming it unsafe, citing safety concerns.

Coming to this season, compared to Chastain, Hamlin is having a stellar season. The Joe Gibbs Racing driver after racking an impressive win last week proclaimed, “It’s our year,” warning the entire field to watch out for his #11 Toyota. On the other hand, Chastain’s sole win came at Nashville, and to make matters worse, the #1 driver is currently outside the cutline at the 9th spot with 3011 points, desperately needing a major turnaround.

To add insult to injury, the opening race of the playoff 12 will be in Texas, home of Chastain’s 4-billion dollar sponsor, WWEX group. The WWEX group of brands comprises WorldWide Express, Unishippers, and Global Tranz offering logistics services to more than 1 million customers.

WATCH THIS STORY: Ross Chastain’s $95-million deal & partnership with Bill Gates 

Everything relies on Chastain’s shoulders to make his sponsor proud and more importantly, return to his winning ways before it’s too late.

“Survived & Advanced” – Chastain pulls through the first test

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Ever since his tussle with Larson in Darlington, Chastain seems to have a change of heart. The Trackhouse Racing star is no more the “wrecking ball” he used to be, losing his aggressive style of racing, and looked more like a mellowed-down version of his old self.

Though the driver gained a brief respite in the same venue, finishing 5th in the playoff opener, his next 2 races at Kansas and Bristol certainly weren’t a comfortable cruise. He finished 13th and 31st in Kansas and Bristol respectively to point his way into the playoff 12.

While the driver survived the eliminator in Bristol that wiped out reigning champion, Joey Logano‘s chances, Chastain certainly needs to make the most of his 3 outings to advance further.

READ MORE: Trackhouse Racing’s Brash Tony Stewart Seize Exposes Dale Earnhardt Jr’s Cup Series Absence

What do you think, will the “Melon Man” get a shot at the title and capture it? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.