Ross Chastain started 2022 as a whole new force with a new team. Of course, the Watermelon Man is driving the #1 Chevrolet Camaro for American rapper, Pitbull’s team, Trackhouse Racing. He has already collected two Cup Series wins for the team. However, his teammate seems to have some things to say about his recent showing on the racetrack.
The #1 Trackhouse Racing car has developed quite a reputation for being fairly rough on track. And, the most recent one comes from an incident between Ross Chastain, the 23XI Racing team‘s co-owner, Denny Hamlin, and Hendrick Motorsports’ Golden Boy, Chase Elliott, on the inaugural race at Illinois’ Gateway International Raceway.
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The Trackhouse Racing driver and Denny Hamlin played a game of tag through the race, with Ross Chastain trying to get a draft from the #11 and cross him. This went on until Chase Elliott in the #9 car gave Chastain a draft from behind. However, Elliott bumped the #1 car on the rear left as he passed him. And, the game of tag went on between the #11 and the #1 car. Eventually, Ross Chastain also bumped Bubba Wallace‘s car owner, effectively ending his race sooner than Hamlin wanted.
In fact, Denny Hamlin was quite unhappy with the incident. And he vowed to get back at Chastain. However, Trackhouse Racing teammate, and Mexican NASCAR Cup Series driver, Daniel Suarez, defended his teammate.
Daniel Suarez Defends Ross Chastain Despite The Denny Hamlin Controversy
Everyone would have their own opinions on whether what Chastain did was right. And his teammate, Daniel Suarez, had a different opinion on the matter. In a recent interview with NASCAR on NBC, Suarez shared his views.
"If you're mad, wreck him and let's be done with it." Thoughts on the incident between Denny Hamlin and Ross Chastain. #RaceHub@LarryMac28 | @Daniel_SuarezG | @adam1alexander pic.twitter.com/Nskn5MM8l5
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 7, 2022
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He said, “As a racecar driver, there is a lot of situations of things that happen in the race that sometimes we only know about those situations.” He added, “How hard somebody is racing, how aggressive someone we are being, how close we are being, we know all those things as a racecar driver, So, we are really the only persons that we only know a hundred percent that was it too much? Or not.”
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In fact, Suarez feels that Ross and Denny know what really happened, and only they will know if someone pushed too hard or not. “Maybe Ross felt like he pushed too hard. Maybe, Denny agrees, maybe he disagrees. But, only they know for how long they were pushing those limits.”
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To sum it up, Daniel Suarez brings a new perspective to the situation. But, do you think what Ross Chastain did was unjustified? Or do you think Suarez is right? Let us know what you think in the comments below.