Track House Racing driver Ross Chastain has been involved in numerous wrecks throughout the 2022 Cup Series season and Sunday in Atlanta was no different.
Denny Hamlin was taken out by Chastain with 14 laps left in Sunday’s Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Ross Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet ride who was somewhat at fault for “The Big One”, drifted up the track hitting Hamlin, which sent the JGR driver’s No. 11 Toyota into a spin. Chastain managed to escape any serious damage to his car.
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“It’s just frustrating. We were in pretty good position, but ultimately got taken out,” Hamlin said. “We were in really good position and we were about to be clear of (Chastain) and be in third in the outside line. I was really happy with where I was at for sure. I think (Chastain) probably sensed that we were about to clear him so he chased us up there and got into us.”
Hamlin was able to continue, however he could only managed a disappointing P25 in Atlanta. Chastain finished second to race winner Chase Elliott.
“It’s all in whatever level I’m willing to take. It’s just another unfortunate circumstance for him,” Hamlin said. “Everyone has different tolerance levels and as you all know, I’ve reached my peak.”
Deja vu pic.twitter.com/yvk4TlYf6S
— Denny Hamlin (@dennyhamlin) July 11, 2022
“It all works out in the end,” Hamlin told NBC Sports. “I said my piece the first time around and nothing really has changed this time. … We certainly aren’t cutting any breaks going forward. … Eventually you got to pay for those decisions that you make and … whatever happens in the future happens.”
You’ll never guess who caused this pic.twitter.com/2YZ8dO9KBe
— Barstool Racing (@rubbinisracing) July 10, 2022
Chastain pointed out that his car had sustained earlier damage during a nine-car incident near the race’s midpoint that he battled back from, thus impacting the car’s handling.
#NASCAR … Denny Hamlin on contact from Ross Chastain in the race: “Everyone has their different tolerance levels … I’ve reached my peak.” pic.twitter.com/atuso6S5iq
— Dustin Long (@dustinlong) July 10, 2022
“This one is so different because I had so much damage. You all know I would take full responsibility if I just ran into him, but I had so much damage and was so much tighter,” Chastain said. “We had done a lot to free the car up. It was just way too tight and I couldn’t carry the throttle that I carried earlier. I could have lifted some, but it wasn’t enough. I don’t put this one anywhere near the others.”
Quaker State 400 unofficial results
- #9 – Chase Elliott
- #1 – Ross Chastain
- #2 – Austin Cindric (R)
- #43 – Erik Jones
- #12 – Ryan Blaney
- #99 – Daniel Suarez
- #31 – Justin Haley
- #10 – Aric Almirola
- #19 – Martin Truex Jr.
- #4 – Kevin Harvick