All the teams in the NASCAR series play for the win, be it from the same owner. However, at crucial junctures, such as the current run to the playoffs with two races remaining in the regular season, teams tend to change strategies in favor of teammates for the greater benefit. This sometimes creates a rift between teammates for obvious reasons.

Such is the case with Ross Chastain’s #1 Trackhouse Racing team. While Daniel Suarez comfortably sits with 526 points with a win this season, the melon man hasn’t secured a playoff spot for himself so far. While he is the number 16th driver in rankings, he’s only one point ahead of season leader’s teammate Bubba Wallace.

Chastain’s expectation from his team

There have been many instances of team scuffles owing to internal politics. The race drivers in the lead typically never want to give up their position for any reason whatsoever. So, why do team chiefs expect them to? It is because that giving way for all the teammates to rise in the ranks presents better prospects for the teams. They get more points, and they have a greater probability of winning.

Then why does Ross Chastain reveal the 4-word claim about his expectations from his fellow team members?

When asked whether he would seek help in the race amidst his fight to make it to the playoffs, Chastain told NBC Sports’ Dustin Long during a live press conference, “Yeah, I’ve been asked in the past to help a Chevy that’s every OEM so, I’m sure that will be said but I don’t expect it.”

When a driver would himself not want to provide the kind of help if their teammates need it, then they have a claim on it in time of their need. But Chastain did not assert this in any spite. Instead, he meant that the help should be logical if it is being sought. “When I make a move or I’m in a line, and I make something and I need a Chevy teammate to go with me or help me, I want them to go with me because it was the right move not because they feel like they have to help me,”  clarified Chastain.

Despite being in a tight spot at the moment, Chastain has a clear vision of how he wants to win. And that does not involve a win at the cost of his teammates and their races. Chastain is currently at the helm of this Saturday’s race at Daytona and can define his position stepping into Darlington the following weekend. But he needs to drive smart and avoid Michigan-like spin-offs, more so as the next on schedule is not one of his favorite road courses.

Regarding Ross Chastain’s relationship with the track, he’s had his share of highs and lows. At his first-ever Daytona 500, Chastain defied the odds by scoring his first career top-ten finish in the Cup Series, clinching 10th place despite starting way back in 36th. But that wasn’t the only time he made waves at Daytona.

In 2019, Chastain took the checkered flag at the Circle K Firecracker 250, driving the No. 16 Camaro for Kaulig Racing. It was a big day for the team, with Chastain’s teammates Justin Haley and A.J. Allmendinger finishing just behind him—though Allmendinger’s celebration was cut short after failing post-race inspection.

But not all memories at Daytona are sweet for the melon man. In 2020, Chastain’s race ended sourly after a late wreck with Ryan Preece took him out of contention. Daytona sure knows how to keep drivers on their toes!

Ross Chastain asserts in team conversations

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There is a lot of pressure on the teams who are in the playoff bubble, and it will take consistent efforts to jump out of that abyss. Every team will need to help each other, and drivers will need to drive and put forth a stronger foot in the game.

• Martin Truex Jr.: With a solid 77-point cushion above the cutline, Truex is sitting comfortably for now. He’s got a 38-point lead over Ty Gibbs, so unless we see two new winners in the next two races, he’s in a good spot to make the playoffs.
• Ty Gibbs: Gibbs holds a 23-point lead over Chris Buescher, but with Daytona looming and its history of surprise winners and wrecks, he can’t afford to relax just yet. The 39-point gap between Gibbs and Bubba Wallace adds a bit of a buffer, but anything can happen.
• Chris Buescher: Buescher is 15 points ahead of Ross Chastain. While it’s a decent lead, it’s far from safe with Daytona’s unpredictability. However, one bad race could put him in a tight spot.
• Ross Chastain: Chastain is hanging on by a thread with just a 1-point edge over Bubba Wallace for the final playoff spot. He’s got to bring his A-game in these last two races, or he could easily find himself on the outside looking in.
• Bubba Wallace: Wallace is just 1 point shy of Chastain and knows that every point matters now. With Daytona being a wildcard, he’s in a must-perform situation.
• Austin Dillon: There’s also a wildcard scenario where Austin Dillon could become playoff-eligible. If he wins an appeal post-RCR’s second round of review plea concerning NASCAR stripping his controversial Richmond victory, it could shake things up even more.

However, Ross Chastain has a good car, as he believes, and he can make it safely in the Playoffs if only he manages to steer clear of drama. “Us as a Chevy group we do eat and we talk through stuff and we’ve done that over a year since I’ve been in the Cup car. So, I’ve been a part of these conversations with all different scenarios of who, what and where we’re at,”  said Chastain, hinting at the possibility of some help through the season and the races. He had his best finish this season at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, where he finished fourth.

The Melon Man is yet to smash melons this season. It is a sight that many fans have been waiting for.