Ross Chastain was the man of the hour when he shattered all expectations, pulling off the near-impossible “Hail Melon” to advance into the final 4. The Trackhouse Racing sensation’s move was so wild that it actually looked like it was straight out of a video game as the driver hammered the #1 Chevy straight into the wall, riding it to outrun the pack in epic fashion in the last lap.

While the 30-year-old’s maneuver captivated the community, becoming the talk of the town, fast forward to 2023, and fans seem to have had enough of it. Despite the organization outlawing the move, deeming it too dangerous and unsafe for other drivers, NASCAR is still hyping it like anything, thus prompting fans to step in with their thoughts, essentially dividing the fandom in two.

Ross Chastain and his “Hail Melon” take over the conversation as the playoff action reaches Martinsville Speedway

The last race of the 2022 playoff race before the finale last season was a stunner for NASCAR. Nobody expected the Trackhouse Racing driver to be in the final 4. The situation was dire for Chastain, as some might deem the driver’s move as something out of desperation. However one cuts it, his daredevil act shook up the racing world as Chastain beat his rival, Denny Hamlin, in the most epic way, denying him a free pass into the final.

To advance, the #1 driver had to gain 3 spots, which he did in the most epic way possible. In the final lap, Chastain pinned the throttle and rammed his Chevy into the wall in turns 3 and 4, essentially riding it, passing five cars to claim the fastest lap (18.845 seconds) at the half-mile track. Not only did Chastain’s “Hail Melon” capture attention, but the driver also outclassed his rival, Denny Hamlin, to advance into the Championship 4.

However, as the playoff extravaganza reaches the gates of Martinsville Speedway, it looks like the fandom is very much over it. In fact, fans are not having any of it, saying, “I’m so tired of hearing about this.” While some fans got tired of hearing it with the news flooding the internet, others were delighted to watch it again. 

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Did Chastain’s daredevil stunt just divide the NASCAR nation into 2?

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Though the driver blasted his way into the finale, pulling off the impossible, Ross Chastain fell short in the final race, losing the title to Joey Logano as the Team Penske driver took the 2022 title. However, Chastain’s wild move earned him notoriety, as the driver became one of the most polarizing figures in the sport.

But, considering how insane and outlandish his late move was, NASCAR deemed it illegal, mentioning how it put other cars in danger. As we roll into the final post-regular season race in Martinsville this Sunday, the “Hail Melon” has once again taken over the conversation, causing a rift in NASCAR nation.

(Dustin Albino) The Hail Melon car has returned to Martinsville
byu/kk5fan97 inNASCAR

With the organization’s media partners including NBC highlighting the #1 driver’s move, some fans lost it seeing the agenda and overhyping it.

“What other organization hypes up an illegal move this much? Either keep it legal or stop promoting it,” said one fan as discussions took over social media. 

“I’m already sick of hearing about the hail melon”

“Run laps in it cowards.”

While some fans were against the idea of the organization and its partners promoting it, others were quite reminiscent of the epic move.

“Straight video game move, absolutely loved seeing it! Too bad NASCAR had to go ban it” 

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What do you think about Chastain’s “Hail Melon”? Did NASCAR do the driver dirty, outlawing the move? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.