Chase Elliott claims Ross Chastain’s “embarrassing” video game move questions the “integrity” of the sport
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Chase Elliott and Ross Chastain (images via IMAGO/ USA Today Network)
The 2022 NASCAR cup series playoff has been one of the most dramatic events the sport has witnessed in a long time. The postseason has been full of wrecks; clutch wins, crashes, and crazy moves. The most impressive one was Ross Chastain riding the wall to secure the Championship 4 entry at Martinsville.
Ross Chastain pulled off the video game-inspired move in the final lap of the Martinsville to advance to P5 from P1 within two seconds. Chastain has received both applause and criticism for the action from the NASCAR community. Though they respect Chastain’s bravery, most drivers on the cup grid feel the move is too dangerous and demand a rule change from NASCAR.
2020 cup champion and Chastain finale rival Chase Elliott gave his verdict on the move on the Championship 4 media day. The HMS driver believes the action is an embarrassment. He added that it questions the integrity of the sport.
“I think from a global perspective of our sport; it is embarrassing in some ways just from an integrity standpoint of what we do weekly. From the standpoint of a guy doing what he needed to do to get the job done, yeah, I think you can have respect for that for sure,” Chase Elliott said.
Also read: Christopher Bell is in the “best position to win the championship” at Phoenix
Chase Elliott’s previous 2020 cup win might not aid him this season
Chase Elliott asked if his last championship run might help him at Phoenix. He responded that though he likes to say yes to the question, the answer is no. he based his argument on his 2020 win, which came in his Championship 4 debut.
“I would love to sit here and say yes, but I feel like I would be lying, just from the standpoint of having experienced it firsthand, coming in here that first year, not knowing any better, us being able to win it, our first try. If they had done it out here, it only had been once, or maybe that year was the first year, I can’t remember,” Chase Elliott said.
Chase Elliott listed out factors that will affect his championship chances. He pointed out that decision-making and execution in the qualifying and the race, along with the perfect setup, will help a driver secure the championship.
“What makes a difference is how you prepare this week and how you look ahead to the weekend, the decision-making, what you want to bring setup-wise, how you execute your practice on Friday, how you do in qualifying Saturday, giving yourself a good or a bad pit selection for your event on Sunday, executing a good 312 laps. That’s what makes a difference,” Chase Elliott added.
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