Chastain Bold Martinsville Move: In a NASCAR moment that would soon etch itself into the annals of racing history, Ross Chastain made a move so audacious that its significance didn’t immediately sink in. It was the fateful Sunday of October 30, 2022, at Martinsville Speedway, where Chastain, driving his No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, pulled off a daring maneuver in the Round of 8 elimination race.
Approaching the final corners of the iconic short track, Chastain shifted into fifth gear, hugging the outside wall with his car as if he were a roulette ball skimming the edge of a spinning wheel. The move was as risky as it was unprecedented, securing him a fourth-place finisha move that ultimately ousted an unsuspecting Denny Hamlin from the Playoffs.
But the gravity of what Chastain had accomplished didn’t immediately register. When we were driving home that night, we stopped in Walkertown, somewhere just south of Martinsville on the way back to Charlotte, and we ate at a Waffle House, Chastain recounted, reflecting on the evening. We were laughing and talking about it, but looking back, it really didnt (register).
The realization of his historic feat hit him when he returned to Martinsville Speedway. Invited by the track’s president, Clay Campbell, Chastain participated in removing a piece of the wall. With a Kubota equipment, they lifted out the center portion of the wall, bearing the word ‘Martinsville.’ Campbell gifted this emblematic piece, which will be a part of the Hail Melon car, a reminder of Chastain’s daring move, cherished by team owner Justin Marks.
In the lexicon of NASCAR, Chastain has cemented his name in a unique way. He introduced “Chastained,” signifying being victimized by his assertive driving style. And then theres Hail-Melon-ed, a term coined by Hamlins crew chief, Chris Gabehart, to describe how Hamlin fell victim to Chastain’s move. As Gabehart put it, his driver had been Hail-Melon-ed.
For Hamlin, the move was unexpected. As he recalled, Chris told me how many spots we had to get (to advance to the next round) with very few laps I was trying to get as many as I could, and Chris was constantly telling me where we were.
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Our Reader’s Queries
Was the Ross Chastain move legal?
NASCAR has banned Ross Chastain’s infamous “video game move” at Martinsville, incorporating it into an existing rule that will prevent its use in future Cup Series races. The move, which was deemed illegal before the start of the 2023 season, caused quite a stir in the racing community. However, NASCAR has taken a firm stance on the matter and will not allow it to be used going forward.
What did Chastain do at Martinsville?
In a dramatic turn of events at the Martinsville short track, Chastain’s car appeared to be on hyper-speed while his competitors were moving at a snail’s pace. With lightning-fast reflexes, he overtook five cars in mere seconds, going at least 50 mph faster than the rest. This impressive feat secured his spot in the title race.
How fast was Ross Chastain going at Martinsville?
With a lightning-fast lap time of 18.845 seconds, he made history at Martinsville by breaking the previous track record of 18.954 seconds. However, this impressive feat may soon be relegated to the annals of NASCAR history. Due to safety concerns, the governing body has decided to outlaw the move that led to this record-breaking lap before the 2023 season. Despite this, the memory of this incredible achievement will live on forever.
How many cars did Ross Chastain pass at Martinsville?
Chastain’s daring move saw him collide with the Turn 3 wall, but he didn’t let that slow him down. In fact, he used it to his advantage, riding it around the track at a faster pace than his competitors. With his skillful maneuvering, he managed to overtake five cars in the last two turns, securing enough spots to qualify for the championship race. It was a thrilling display of driving prowess that left spectators in awe.
