Here’s some context from Yahoo! Sports: You follow that? This is the last race before the championship and the only way to get in was for Chastain to get ahead of Denny Hamlin in two turns. The only way to do that was to slam the damn thing against the wall. This Twitter caption tells the story fairly well: Christopher Bell won the race and advanced to the final four with Chastain, Joey Logano and Chase Elliott. Chastain’s move on the final lap eliminated perennial title contender Denny Hamlin. Hamlin was in the final four ahead of Chastain via points until the final two corners.
— Storm Lee Kelly (@Storm_L_K) October 30, 2022 Is this allowed? I’m no expert, but it seems to be not-not legal. This is of the “There’s nothing in the rulebook that says a giraffe can’t play football” variety of interpretation. Denny Hamlin, in the purple-and-blue-and-white #11 Camry is the person who would have been in the final four. Here’s what Hamlin says in the in car: “I guess we just lost on that…” Chase Briscoe, who was further back, got a great shot of it and had this reaction: “If I’d have known that had worked I’d have just done that for the last eight laps.” Fred Smith, Road & Track’s Motorsports Editor, has perhaps the best take:
- Ban the move so 25 cars don’t do it on the last lap next Martinsville race2. Build a statue of this moment outside the track and call it the “Ross Chastain rule.” Really play up that it’s banned in a good way. — Fred Smith (@FredSmith914) October 30, 2022 Ignoring the irony of Kyle Larson calling a video game move embarrassing, I am reminded of some Canadian wisdom: They don’t ask how, they ask how many. If you’re curious, here’s Chastain explaining it himself:
Top photo via NASCAR . . . no need to call security, I’ll show myself out. :-p Don’t say nothin’ about what you are rubbin’ on, either. I’d bet Chastain could replay that 100’s of times and only succeed the once. With several outcomes that result in massive destruction. I’m assuming no one is going to want to try it because the possibility of losing everything is just ramped up way more than it already is in nascar. I think Chase Elliot said it best, when he asked “What in the hell?” I don’t get it. The guy saw an opening on the outside and took it. Isn’t that the whole idea? Yes, he scuffed the paint and gouged some sponsor signs – so what? I just don’t see why anyone would say he did something wrong when in my mind he did his job and advanced position in the pack. He’ll never pay for a drink in that town-that’s for sure
