NASCAR declared publicly on Tuesday that it will not allow any drivers to run against the wall to gain speed as TrackHouse Racing driver Ross Chastain did in last season’s Martinsville Cup during a playoff race.
Some dubbed it one of the best racing moves ever in entire NASCAR history, while others said the driver stepped far over the line, with that move being very unprofessional.
Hendrick Motorsports driver Kyle Larson called it ’embarrassing’ and ‘a bad look’ for NASCAR.
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During the Cup Series playoffs at Martinsville Speedway on the final lap of the race Ross Chastain drove his car into the wall and staying on the throttle through Turns 3 and 4 to pick up the positions he required to progress to the championship race.
Chastain was able to pick up enough spots to sneak into fourth place and join Joey Logano, Christopher Bell and Chase Elliott for the championship race.
“Oh, played a lot of NASCAR 2005 on the GameCube with (younger brother) Chad growing up,” Ross Chastain said. “You can get away with it. I never knew if it would actually work.
“I mean, I did that when I was eight years old. I grabbed fifth gear, asked off of two on the last lap if we needed it, and we did. I couldn’t tell who was leading. I made the choice, grabbed fifth gear down the back. Full committed. Basically let go of the wheel, hoping I didn’t catch the turn four access gate or something crazy. But I was willing to do it.”
NASCAR declared that the penalty for the “Chastain move”would be a lap or time penalty.
NASCAR says a Hail Melon will fall under the rule that already prohibits moves that compromise the safety of the event. It will be a timed penalty. https://t.co/OSFF9REoLE
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 31, 2023
The organization will not be adding a rule, however, stressed that Rule 10.5.2.6.A covers such situations.
That rule states: “Safety is a top priority for NASCAR and NEM. Therefore, any violations deemed to compromise the safety of an Event or otherwise pose a dangerous risk to the safety of Competitors, Officials, spectators, or others are treated with the highest degree of seriousness. Safety violations will be handled on a case-by-case basis.”
UNBELIEVABLE!@RossChastain floors it along the wall to go from 10th to 5th and advance to the CHAMPIONSHIP! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/9qX3eq7T6h
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 30, 2022
Sports fans around the world were in absolute awe by Chastain’s video game move.