The NASCAR Cup Series has always been a hotbed of intense rivalries and dramatic on-track battles. However, it’s not often that the pit crews of two drivers become the center of attention. Recently, a controversial incident involving Ross Chastain‘s pit crew and Kyle Larson has sparked a heated debate among fans and racing enthusiasts.
The drama began during the Wurth 400 at Dover Motor Speedway when Chastain and Larson got entangled in a precarious situation. Chastain’s aggressive attempt to clear lapped traffic resulted in a collision with Brennan Poole, which sent Poole spinning. Unfortunately, Larson, who was following closely behind, couldn’t avoid the chaos and ended up colliding with Poole’s car. Both drivers suffered damage, but it was Larson who faced the brunt of the setback, finishing the race in a disappointing 32nd position, multiple laps down.
Kyle Larson’s Offensive Gesture Towards Ross Chastain’s Pit Crew
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As emotions ran high, another twist unfolded the following week at Darlington Raceway during the NASCAR Xfinity Series race. Kyle Larson, driving with determination and resilience, managed to secure a victory after a fierce battle with John Hunter Nemechek on the final lap. Larson had to overcome a pit road speeding penalty that dropped him to 31st place, but he fought his way back into contention for the win.
It is worth noting that Ross Chastain’s pit crew in the NASCAR Cup Series Dover race was the same crew that worked with Larson for Darlington’s Xfinity race.
A tweet by Couch Racer pointed out that Larson had made a hand gesture toward the crew members after the incident at Dover. As a result, the pit crew boycotted coming to victory lane in Darlington, for Larson’s win. This act of loyalty or disrespect, depending on one’s perspective, further intensified the debate surrounding the incident. In addition, the tweet riled up the fans who had some interesting takes on the whole kerfuffle.
Why is victory lane so empty? The 10 Xfinity Pit Crew is also the 1 Cup pit crew. Apparently Larson gave them a hand gesture after the incident in Dover. So they boycotted coming to victory lane in Darlington.
Disrespectful or loyal? pic.twitter.com/PnqYiGuG8y
— Couch Racer (@CouchRacerShop) May 16, 2023
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Petty or Loyal? NASCAR Fans Criticise Pit Crew Actions
NASCAR fans wasted no time in expressing their opinions on social media. Some fans found humor in the situation, joking that Chastain’s crew might have forgotten how to find victory lane since they rarely get the opportunity to celebrate there. Others speculated that Chastain’s crew may have intentionally lost spots on pit road during the race, and Larson’s talent compensated for it. The incident has certainly become a talking point among racing enthusiasts, with opinions ranging from loyalty to pettiness.
One fan commented, “Loyal. But also a little petty. How often do you get a chance for a victory lane celebration?” This sentiment reflects the conflicting emotions fans have regarding the pit crew’s actions. While some see it as a petty act, others argue that what happens on track is between the drivers and not the pit crews.
Maybe they’re salty their full time driver doesn’t make it to victory lane, so they thought it would be disrespectful to attend a driver makes it there all the time
— James (@Jameski34319177) May 16, 2023
Another fan expressed disappointment, stating, “It’s petty on both sides. What happens on track is between Larson and Chastain, not the pit crews, but at the same time, that is a vehicle they’re paid to work on and they won with, and to not show up to victory lane is dragging Kaulig into a fight it has no business in.”
Are they boycotting the bonus checks for the win, too? If not, then just petty💩
— Racer Fan (@RacerFan4Life) May 16, 2023
The incident has raised questions about the professionalism and sportsmanship of the pit crew members involved. Some fans view their actions as disrespectful not only to the driver but also to the team owner. Racing is a team sport, and victory lane celebrations are meant to be shared by the entire team. By boycotting the celebration, Chastain’s pit crew has inadvertently brought negative attention to themselves and their team.
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As the NASCAR season continues, it remains to be seen how this incident will impact the dynamics between Chastain, Larson, and their respective pit crews. Whether the pit crew’s actions were justified or petty, it serves as a reminder that in the high-pressure world of racing, emotions can sometimes get the better of individuals, leading to unexpected consequences.
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