Ross Chastain Triggers the Big One as Brad Keselowski Wrecks a Fourth of Daytona 500 Field

The Daytona 500 has just witnessed the flares of misfortune at the Daytona International Speedway. Trackhouse Racing’s No. 1 Chevrolet driver, Ross Chastain, was the first to start the supposedly ‘Big One’ at the ever-dangerous track. In the 6th lap of the race, Chastain nudged the No. 6 of Brad Keselowski, which went on to clash with John Hunter Nemechek.

Subsequently, Nemechek’s Toyota collected Wood Brothers Racing’s youngster, Harrison Burton. The sequence of tragic events didn’t stop there, as former Legacy Motor Club driver and Spire Motorsports‘ No.77, Carson Hocevar, was collected after it. Kaz Grala and Jimmie Johnson have also suffered extensive damage from the crash, leading to a long caution period. Johnson’s #84 is down by two laps, with Grala and Burton out of the race. As for Ross Chastain, this wasn’t his first involvement in a crash in the evening as his second one potentially cost him a maiden Daytona 500 victory.

Ross Chastain has no regrets about going for the final pass on Austin Cindric

With four laps remaining in the 2024 Daytona 500, the race underwent a final restart. Despite restarting as the race leader, Chastain faced a tough challenge to hold his fort from William Byron. Byron tried moving to the outside line and finding a window to move past the #1 Chevrolet. That is when a push from Austin Cindric‘s #2 edged him past Chastain.

Hoping to recover his lead, Chastain tried to find another opening in the tightly knit front row. As soon as he saw a chance to go inside of Byron and pass him, he went for it, albeit unsuccessfully. In his attempt to do so, Ross Chastain collided with the No.2 Ford and both cars slid onto the apron. Addressing it, Chastain said, “I took the gap, and I don’t apologize for that.”

“I can go to sleep tonight knowing that I took the white flag, making the move to win the Daytona 500. Four years ago, it was with eight laps to go or something. I’ve got it down to one lap to go. Yeah, too aggressive, though, when you don’t finish.”

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Jotting down the positives and hoping to work on them for victories in the season ahead, the Trackhouse Racing driver added, “We still had a shot, though, so yeah, I really do feel content. It’s weird to say it, but we did everything right.”

Trackhouse owner Justin Marks’ thoughts resonated with Ross Chastain’s. Speaking in a post-race interview, Marks claimed that he prefers drivers that are brave enough to for the smallest openings on the track.

Justin Marks loves Chastain’s courage

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Being Trackhouse Racing‘s spearhead, Ross Chastain is loved by his team. Having recorded two successive years of playoff appearances and race wins, Chastain has made people take notice of the team’s talents. For team owner Marks, Chastain’s unbridled aggression is a weapon in their arsenal. While some believe it could be a double-edged sword, Justin Marks is willing to bet on it.

“I mean, I love Ross Chastain and he’s got a lot of fight,” disclosed Marks.

“We had a really fast race car here, and the Busch Light people are super-excited to watch their car lead the race. We have a big history in front of us in this sport, a lot to accomplish. I’m not getting too low right now, I’m just really proud of the effort that he put in, the effort that the team put in. You know, 10 times out of 10, I want a guy that goes for it.”

Ross Chastain has grown from being considered an over-aggressive driver to one who takes his chances wisely and is hard to overtake. Finishing the Daytona 500 as a contender until the final laps of the race is another big step in his career. Having raced in the championship race once already, a Daytona 500 win could make him one for the history books.

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