In an exciting and controversial race at Darlington Raceway, That of Ross Chastain the aggressive racing style was once again scrutinized. Chastain’s on-track battle with Kyle Larson caused a finish outside the top 15 for both drivers and drew harsh comments from team owners.
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The incident has now resulted in an ultimatum of Track racing boss Justin Marks to Chastain, indicating he needs to clean up his act on the track.
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Hendrick Motorsports Owner Rick Hendrick Issues Warning to Ross Chastain
On one of the restarts at Darlington, Larson and Chastain found themselves battling for the lead on the front row with just six laps to go. As the battle intensified, Chastain attempted to force his way past Larson but ended up pushing him against the wall. The incident not only caused Chastain to lose, but also allowed Larson to finish 20th. The collision was just one of many between the two drivers during the race, reflecting a persistent rivalry that has been brewing for some time.
In a post-race interview, Ross Chastain shed some light on his side of the story. He explained his intentions behind the move that ultimately led to the collision with Larson, saying: “I went fully into Turn 1 and wanted to rush Larson. I certainly didn’t want to get back in his face. This is not how I wanted to be here and talk to all of you here.
Chastain acknowledged the aggressive nature of his race, but he also said his actions were not intended to cause damage or result in an accident.

Rick Hendrickthe owner of Hendrick Motorsports, spoke out against Chastain’s aggressive driving style. According to Yahoo Sports, he expressed his frustration by saying: “It’s really getting old with these guys. I don’t care if he drives a Chevy, if he wrecks our cars, I don’t care. I told Chevrolet. If you destroy us, you will get it back.
Hendrick emphasized his loyalty to Chevrolet, but made it clear that he expects his team to stand firm in the face of such incidents.
Justin Marks echoes Hendrick’s thoughts and issues an ultimatum to punish
Trackhouse Racing boss Justin Marks echoed Hendrick’s sentiments and gave Chastain an ultimatum. Marks said: “He has things he needs to clean up. Today we have begun a process to deal with this more aggressively.
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These comments indicate that Chastain’s actions on the track do not align with Trackhouse Racing’s values and expectations, and they are taking steps to resolve the issue.
While @JustinMarksTH belief in @RossChastainTalent remains unchanged, he says this latest incident at Darlington is worrying.
????️ “He has things to clean up. Today we have begun a process to deal with this more aggressively. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/Pu8qcc9s4n
– SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90) (@SiriusXMNASCAR) May 15, 2023
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The clash between Chastain and Larson sparked a debate over the appropriate level of aggression on the tour. Although racing is inherently intense and competitive, there is a fine line between assertive driving and reckless endangerment. Chastain’s actions have drawn criticism from team owners and fellow competitors, with concerns raised about the potential consequences of her aggressive style.

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As the racing season progresses, it will be interesting to see how Chastain responds to Justin Marks’ ultimatum and whether he adapts his approach to avoid further clashes. The spotlight will be on him as he faces the challenge of finding the right balance between aggressive driving and respectful competition.
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