Chastain faces criticism from Larson, Poole after Dover incident

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Ross Chastain came close to his first victory of the 2023 NASCAR Cup season, but second place was spoiled by another on-track incident.

Taking on four new tires on his final pit stop, Chastain nearly ran over eventual winner Martin Truex Jr. who took two over the final seven laps, but narrowly missed in Monday’s rain-delayed race at Dover (Del.) Motor Speedway.

As Chastains battled for the lead first with William Byron and then Truex left the result in doubt, Chastain once again found himself the target of criticism for an early incident that ruined the races of Brennan Poole and Kyle Larson .

As Chastain raced forward in the first stage, he slammed into the back of Poole’s lapped car on lap 81 of 400. On the replay, it showed Poole may have slowed down some with the then leader Byron in front of him.

Pooles’ No. 51 Ford pulled down the track from contact and into the path of Larson, who was among the fastest cars on the track at the time.

Pooles’ run was immediately over while Larson went to the garage for repairs. He returned to the track and finished 32nd.

Poole said he didn’t have much wiggle room as he was racing Austin Dillon for track position at the time.

There is nothing more I can do in the situation. I didn’t actually see the replay, but I felt like I was really run over for no reason 80 laps into the race.

It makes no sense to me. I guess it’s something he’s been known to do around here lately. He probably needs his ass kicked.

Chestnut apologizes

When questioned by his car after the race, Chastain immediately apologized.

First of all, I want to say so sorry to Brennan Poole and everyone at Rick Ware Racing. I owe them a big apology and a little more, he said. I’m going to go (to their store) tomorrow and talk to these guys and try to fix the problem.

Before heading to the garage for repairs, Larson polled his team on his radio, Ross literally destroyed the rodder, didn’t he? The answer was, yes, for no reason.

After the race, Larson said he didn’t know why Chastain was so hurt to go by Poole.

I was coming in fast and my car was super good there and it looked like Ross was in a bit of a rush there. I don’t know if he was frustrated with (Poole) or if he rushed and made a mistake but ran him over before we even got to the corner, Larson said.

I was committed to the top, (Poole) slipped and had nowhere to go. I just hope our luck will change. We have the fastest car every fucking weekend and it doesn’t seem to work.

For the past two seasons, Chastain has had to deal with the ramifications of run-ins with Chase Elliott, Denny Hamlin and others as he embarked on his finest Cup opportunity with Trackhouse Racing.

Late in the race, Chastain had a great opportunity for his third career win, but fell back a few places after taking on four fresh tires at the final stop.

Whoever takes the lead was going to take a chance, he said of the final restart. We were so close again for our #1 team and everyone at Trackhouse Racing.

It’s surreal to keep doing this and racing against my heroes. I guess I told him (Martin Truex Jr.) too many of my secrets last year after we went fishing.

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