In a sport driven by speed, horsepower, and adrenaline, the heat is now on for the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. But before the first engine revs for the weekend’s Southern 500 at Darlington, the interpersonal dramas are stealing the spotlight.

Not long back, a drama-packed weekend of NASCAR racing saw Ross Chastain and Noah Gragson morphing the track into a warzone. And let’s not forget a guest appearance by Chase Elliott, adding fuel to the fire with a mere sentence. Well, more on that a little later.

Chastain’s Antics Draw Attention: A Game-Changing Spark in NASCAR Drama

As the rubber meets the road, quite literally, this weekend at the Southern 500, the most thrilling chapter in NASCAR’s 2023 season kicks off at Darlington Raceway. It’s an elimination-style gauntlet that promises high-speed chases and heart-stopping finishes. Chastain dazzled fans in 2022 with a second-place championship finish, just 235 feet behind winner Joey Logano. That’s less than the length of a football field. Can he convert that near miss into a full-on hit this season?

While his on-track moves might be scrutinized, Chastain stated he isn’t one for tricks off the track. Gone are the days of the “Hail Melon” strategy that shook the NASCAR community last year. This year, it’s pure racing for the controversial driver. The Trackhouse Racing driver stated that he intends to “just beat everyone this year.”

When the Interviewer asked, “Not to want to lose less and win more, you had to hail Melon last year, which was amazing now. That’s been outlawed if you got on the drawing board for other unconventional paths of making your way to the next round.”

To this, Ross replied, “No, no, nothing up the sleeves, nothing trick, no magic. Just go beat up. Let’s just do that. It’s okay to win these things. It’s okay to go compete and score a bunch of points and transfer to these rounds. Somebody’s gotta do it.” Looks like someone stole Elliott’s line here.

The drama between Chase Elliott. Gragson and Chastain is just the tip of the iceberg. This year’s playoff format is more diversified than ever. Powerhouses like Joe Gibbs Racing and Hendrick Motorsports are still dominant. But, upstarts like Trackhouse Racing and 23XI Racing are breaking the mold.

WATCH THIS STORY: Chase Elliott’s Aggressive Mindset Hours Before the Highly Speculated Run Warns the Whole NASCAR Grid

If we come back to the grudge between Chastain and Gragson, it is nothing new. But it took a physical turn post-race at Kansas, with Chase Elliott adding fuel to the fire.

Chase Elliott’s Impact on the Chastain-Gragson Showdown

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After the race at Kansas Speedway, Gragson walked up to Chastain and told him how he felt. Words were not alone; a punch was thrown by Chastain that landed square on Gragson’s jaw. While they were immediately separated by officials, the tension remained palpable. But here’s where it gets interesting—Gragson claims he’s been urged by other drivers to confront Chastain. As Gragson walked away from the scrum, Chase Elliott encouraged the Cup Series rookie: “Somebody’s gotta do it.”

It’s one thing when rookies and mid-level drivers complain about someone. But, when NASCAR royalty gets involved, you know it’s serious. With his words of encouragement to Gragson, Chase Elliott has made it clear he’s had enough of Chastain’s antics. “I’m sick and tired of it,” echoed Gragson, adding that drivers like Chase Elliott had been egging him on to confront Chastain.

READ MORE: NASCAR Insiders Ruthlessly Bash “Dull” Chase Elliott as Ross Chastain Steals His Glory

As the playoffs loom, tensions are more volatile than ever. Will someone finally “do it” and put Chastain in his place, as Chase Elliott suggests? Or will Chastain’s prove that you don’t need friends when holding the winner’s trophy?