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Ross Chastain Hasn’t Given up on Daniel Suarez Despite Looming Danger

Published 08/15/2023, 7:01 PM EDT

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The NASCAR arena is a blend of camaraderie and competition, where alliances transcend the race track. Ross Chastain‘s steadfast support for his Trackhouse teammate, Daniel Suarez, paints a heartwarming picture. The former isn’t just focused on his own journey. Despite the specter of danger hovering over Daniel Suarez’s playoff chances, Chastain remains a pillar of support for his teammate.

The 2x Xfinity Series champion has already qualified for the playoff, thanks to the win earlier in the season at Nashville. However, since then, his performance seemed to have dropped off a little. In the last race at Indy, where both his teammates finished inside the top 10, Chastain never looked like he had the speed to get anywhere close to the top 10 or even top 15.

Ross Chastain stands by Daniel Suarez amidst the playoff uncertainty

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With just two races remaining before the crucial playoffs, Suarez’s position on the brink of qualification adds an edge of anticipation to the narrative. After a remarkable weekend that saw him take pole position and claim a top-three, the win that would have crowned his efforts remained just out of reach.

Ross Chastain spoke to NBC Sport following the race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway where he shared his views on Suarez missing out on the win. When asked about Suarez’s performance and whether he has spoken to him after the race, Chastain said, “Absolutely yeah, I just walked up and gave him a big hug. I talked to some of his guys and just hugged him.

“That’s all I can do and let him do what he needs to tonight and we’ll be back in the gym, right in the morning. And I know he will not let this slow him down. Gotta get another two good shots, and you know, the team is plenty capable. I can’t wait to watch them.”

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While Chastain’s commitment to his teammate is admirable, his personal performance at the Indianapolis Road Course wasn’t quite up to par as he failed to reach even the top 15.

Ross Chastain fails to crack into the top 10 yet again

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For Chastain, this season hasn’t been without its challenges. Despite securing his playoff spot earlier with a win at Nashville, he has struggled to maintain consistent momentum throughout the season. With only 8 top-10 finishes so far in the points-paying races, including the recent P7 at Michigan, Chastain is grappling with a drop in form compared to his standout performance last year. He failed to crack the top 10 yet again at Indianapolis.

The current season has showcased moments of brilliance. But Chastain acknowledges the need for consistent performance. Jeff Burton’s recent observation underscores the reality – Suarez and the team’s other performances have been notable, but Chastain must revitalize his pace to thrive in the fiercely competitive NASCAR landscape.

Intrigued by the camaraderie that defines NASCAR, Chastain’s dedication to Suarez’s playoff pursuit and his own quest for redemption paints a vivid picture of passion and perseverance. As the engines roar and the competition intensifies, every lap carries both victory and lessons.

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Written by:

Veerendra Vikram Singh

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Veerendra Vikram Singh is a NASCAR Writer at EssentiallySports. With a natural affinity for motorsports, he brings a unique perspective to his coverage of everything NASCAR. His love for sports extends way beyond NASCAR, encompassing Formula 1 and MotoGP and a few other motorsports as well.
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Edited by:

Nischal Kandpal