The roar of the engines is almost upon us as NASCAR gears up for the Shriners Children’s 500 at the Phoenix Raceway this weekend. But for Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain, this race isn’t just the next in the schedule. Last year, in a dramatic twist, he clinched a surprise victory from 2023 Cup Series champion, Ryan Blaney, becoming the first driver ever to win the season finale without championship 4 eligibility. The crowd roared for the Melon Man, and Chastain emerged as NASCAR’s relatable superstar.

Now, as the Valley of the Sun gears up for the fourth race of the 2024 season, the question on everyone’s mind is, will Chastain be able to repeat this feat again?

Ross Chastain and Ryan Blaney Set For Rematch as NASCAR Moves to Phoenix

While some might call Chastain’s 2023 Phoenix win a “miracle,” it was the culmination of a season marked by consistent aggression and strategic brilliance. He held off a determined Blaney in the final laps, denying him a storybook championship weekend finish in front of his home crowd. The watermelon celebration became an iconic image, solidifying Chastain’s place as a fan favorite.

However, replicating that magic at Phoenix this year could prove even more challenging. The 2024 season has seen a more controlled Chastain in the first three races, focusing on consistent top-10 finishes rather than the all-out aggression that defined his 2023 campaign. A glimpse into Chastain’s current form was evident at Sunday’s Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas. Despite starting from the back due to “unapproved adjustments” to his car and facing speeding penalties on pit road, he managed a respectable fourth-place finish. Interestingly, he trailed his 2023 Phoenix nemesis, Blaney, who finished third.

In a recent statement to AZ Central, Chastain acknowledged the momentum heading into Phoenix after the 2023 win’: “We got to live on through that win through the whole offseason. Then, as we got ready for this year, it was still motivating to think back that the last time we were on track, we won.” However, he also emphasized the team’s dynamic mentality: “But we’re not resting on that. It’s just proof of concept that what we’re doing is right and that we can do this. All that I wake up and try to do is go win races. This group at Trackhouse (Racing) affords me those opportunities.”

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The Phoenix Rivalry Heats Up

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With Chastain seeking consistent wins and Blaney aiming to potentially replicate his dominant 2023 season after two straight Top-3 finishes, the stage is set for a rekindled rivalry at Phoenix.

Ever the showman Chastain, the Florida native, is seemingly relishing the opportunity to get back at Blaney following his wrecked chance at a podium finish at Atlanta, courtesy of the Penske #12. In a recent interview with Bob Pockrass of FOX Sports, discussing the final laps at Vegas where he battled his familiar foe, Chastain remarked, “I knew our balance was going to play into putting two tires on and it did. The 5 [Larson] and I had a few side drafts and knew when we couldn’t get to the lead that we had to play defense and I really just ran as fast as I could there at the end. It was pretty cool to see Blaney blocking me at the end, pretty cool to see his evolution with the air blocking. I was proud of him.”

While predicting a repeat win is difficult, Chastain might hold a slight advantage heading into Phoenix. Unlike Kyle Larson, who bested both Blaney and Chastain and secured a back-to-back victory in Vegas, the 2023 season finale winner hasn’t tasted victory yet this season. This “win hunger” combined with his past success at Phoenix and his current top-10 form could propel him toward another unexpected triumph this season, potentially ending the early Hendrick dominance.

Whether the Melon Man can capture “lightning in a bottle’ twice and cement his legacy at Phoenix is a story waiting to unfold.

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