FORT WORTH, Texas – A post-race scuffle between NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) drivers Ross Chastain and Brendan Gaughan resulted in a crew member of Chastain’s JD Motorsports with Gary Keller team to be sent to a local hospital for further evaluation following Saturday night’s O’Reilly Auto Parts 300 at Texas Motor Speedway.
The brawl stemmed from an on-track incident about midway through the 200-lap race when Chastain and Gaughan collided while racing for position, while fenders were damaged, both drivers were able to maintain control of their Chevrolet Camaros.
Following the race, a verbal exchange was made between the two drivers which quickly turned physical and punches were thrown. Both drivers and a respective crew member of the JD Motorsports team were summoned to the XFINITY Series hauler immediately afterward to meet with series director Wayne Auton.
Ryan Bell, a car chief for Chastain’s teammate Garrett Smithley was transported to a local hospital after being caught in the escapade, a team spokesperson confirmed. Bell was transported to the hospital following a visit to the infield care center.
When Gaughan who finished 17th exited the XFINITY Series hauler, he offered little insight on the quarrel.
“Getting ready for a show tomorrow (Sunday) morning,” Gaughan said of his Fantasy Racing preview show on SiriusXM Satellite Radio. “If anyone wants to know my thoughts, Chase Elliott is my lock for the week tomorrow and my value pick looks like it’s going to be Ty Dillon.
“And I’m going to Mexico to save the La Quintas, so I’ll be in Mexico all week.”
On Sunday morning on SiriusXM, Gaughan reflected on the incident.
“Texas is tough with the night race and the groove narrowed down. It isn’t the first issue we had. It isn’t the first issue others have had. I finally just had enough,” he said.
“Should I have done something different? Maybe. At this point of my life, I am kinda in the don’t care (mode). “It’s amazing. I got a lot of text messages from our peers that seem to be happy. It is what it is.”
Nearly twenty minutes or so later, Chastain surfaced and spoke to a group of reporters.
“I race with him every week. I probably could have handled it better,” said Chastain, who finished 19th. “NASCAR, man. I hate my name keeps popping up for this. People who know me, know this is not me. It’s not me to be getting into arguments and stuff.
“I am proud of the Flex Seal boys and try to put this behind us, I guess.”
“I was calm. There were no cameras. It would make me look better if there was but unfortunately there wasn’t for the start of it. We’ll leave what was said in the NASCAR hauler. Derogatory things were said beyond just cuss words.”
Chastain admitted to not cutting any slack to Gaughan as the two battled for position, but with track position at a premium Saturday night – the Alva, Florida native said he did what was best for him and his race team.
He said he was sitting on the edge of his door when Gaughan, a native of Las Vegas, Nev. came up and began bickering. Within a few seconds, fists began flying.
“I was just getting out of the car and was sitting on the door and getting ready to swing my legs out and there he was. He just came right at me with his guys and there were just swings at that point … initially, when my legs were in the car and they had us separated, I got pulled backwards into a golf cart and kind of stomped on and rolled around down there by some other crew guys.”
Contrary to some witness reports, Chastain says he did not throw the first punch.
“It was five against a lot. But I feel fine, yeah, you’re gonna get a little shiner or something or a busted lip. That’s why I’ve got Invisalign, I started two weeks ago and they are going to keep my teeth straight.”
Chastain, however, doesn’t want to be known for his post-race altercations but instead let his talent on the track speak for itself.
“This doesn’t help me moving up in my career,” Chastain admitted. “I am sure this will scare some people away. I will just have to go to work harder to show them that this is not who I am. I not on my way out I am on my way up.”
A NASCAR spokesperson said the sanctioning body is still investigating the incident and will look and determine if any penalties are warranted.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
