LAS VEGAS, Nev. – Ross Chastain did all he could to put Trackhouse Racing back in Victory Lane on back-to-back weekends in Las Vegas (Nev.) Motor Speedway.
On Lap 241, with 27 laps remaining in Sunday’s Pennzoil 400, Chastain battled fiercely with Kyle Larson for the race lead, with both drivers racing cleanly but aggressively against each other. The intense battle lasted three laps before Larson, who was on four new tires compared to Chastain’s two new tires, could prevail and inherit the race lead.
Over the final 24 laps, Chastain would brilliantly put on a diligent attack to try and protect his position from Tyler Reddick and reigning series champion Ryan Blaney. Still, the lack of grip from the two-tire stop ultimately allowed Reddick and Blaney to overtake the No. 1 Kubota Chevrolet, with Chastain settling for fourth at the checkered flag.
Afterward, Chastain talked about how satisfied he was with the speed of his race car.
“This speed,” said Chastain. “I mean, the handling of the car is incredible for our Kubota Chevy. It’s everything that I wanted, dream about, and wake up and train for is to drive cars like this. That’s what makes it hurt so much worse. When we finish fourth, and we were legitimately an eighth-place car, it’s something we’re high-fiving.
“You all have seen me in my career, I’d jump up and down for a fourth place finish. If someone is just glancing at my interviews, they’re going to say, “Well, Ross is changing,” but I’m not. When I have a car capable of fighting for the win, and I take ourselves out, that’s what I can get down about right now, but excited about because I know how good the car was and how much speed it has.”
Chastain’s efforts to deliver back-to-back top-10 finishes were more complex than flipping over a blackjack.
The Alva, Florida native had to start the third NASCAR Cup Series race of the season from the back of the field after the wrap was damaged between qualifying and the race. The repair was deemed an unapproved adjustment by NASCAR, sending Chastain to the rear for the start of the race.
Methodically working his way towards the front, Chastain was tagged by NASCAR for speeding while pitting under green flag conditions at Lap 121 during Stage 2. The miscue put the driver farther behind, and they had to utilize strategy late in the race to give Chastain track position.
Their plan worked to give Chastain some much-needed track position, but the four-time NASCAR Cup Series winner said his speeding on pit road – the last three weekends is unacceptable.
“Don’t speed on pit road. It’s unacceptable,” added Chastain. “Our car was strong enough to run with Kyle and Tyler; I just can’t believe I did it three weeks in a row.”
The good news for Chastain and his No. 1 Trackhouse Racing team? They’ll continue their West Coast journey with a stop at Phoenix (Ariz.) Raceway, where they are the most recent race winner at the 1.0-mile oval in the desert.
Exiting Las Vegas, Chastain sits fifth in the championship standings, 20 points in the arrears to Las Vegas winner Kyle Larson.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01 or email at [email protected].
