3-Word Ultimatum From Team Boss Triggers Ross Chastain to Make an Unanticipated Admission—“Fully Overstepped the Line”

Published 05/18/2023, 2:32 PM EDT

The Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway marked the third episode of a wild confrontation between Ross Chastain and his bitter rival, Kyle Larson. And following the aftermath of the infamous stunt, the #1 has gone on the defensive. Post-race scenes saw the driver apologize. Despite all this, he has received a stern warning from his boss, Justin Marks.

Not just with his team boss, the Alva native even had a brief conversation with Rick Hendrick and Kyle Larson.

It looks like the overwhelming pressure had the “Watermelon Man” go on the backfoot as he recently revealed his thoughts and briefed about his interaction with bosses. With Justin Marks issuing a stern warning to his driver, even Chastain had to admit the obvious mistake.

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Did Ross Chastain genuflect to the overwhelming pressure? Or did he learn his lesson?

Because of his aggressive style of racing, the community is divided. While several NASCAR enthusiasts have gone against him, surprisingly, a few veterans of the sport have actually come to aid the driver. Recently, Dale Earnhardt Jr shared his take on the driver. He even praised the rawness Chastain brings to the tracks.

But things have certainly gotten more heated since Sunday’s race. Chastain has received a stern warning from his boss: “Stop hitting things,” as the driver describes it.

He then went on to admit his mistake as he confessed to having overstepped the line. According to theAtheletic.com, Chastain said, “We can make this better, I will be better. That doesn’t mean I’m never going to run into somebody again. Like, I don’t want people to think I’m just going to lay over with six laps to go and a chance at a win at Darlington.

“Yes, I overstepped the line, but I’m willing to live with that for a chance at a win. I just fully overstepped the line and pushed up too far. So yes, it’s tough. But that’s big-time auto racing.”

While the balls-on-the-wall attitude makes things worse, Chastain’s racing style often finds the driver in tricky situations, and it’s not the driver’s mean intention that always causes the trouble.

Chastain went on to reveal the interesting conversation he had with his rival team’s boss.

WATCH THIS STORY: Ross Chastain’s pit crew under fire as “petty” act against Kyle Larson comes to light.

Chastain shares the brief conversation he had with Rick Hendrick

The race in Darlington saw Chastain locking horns with Larson for the third time. As he tried to push the #5 car to the wall, Larson retaliated and cost Chastain the race. Following his antics, Ross Chastain has had several conversations.

Chastain talked to his boss, his rival, and to even Mr. H himself. When asked about the conversation, he said, “I called Rick, yeah that was not the reason I want to be calling him but it’s not the first time we talked and I don’t think it will be the last. So one day I hope I’m able to laugh with him about it, but look, it’s still crazy for me that Rick Hendrick knows my name, although right now it is for wrong reasons.”

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Even as Rick Hendrick issued his comments about the wreck, he also gave Chastain a strong message. Chastain described the surreal conversation with Hendrick. “We talked about other things, other than just Darlington and he had some really really good life advice. A guy like that to even take my call and talk to me, it’s not the first time, but it’s really it’s still surreal for me.”

Ross Chastain said he called Rick Hendrick and has talked with Hendrick, General Motors and Kyle Larson. He said he still is amazed that Rick Hendrick knows his name even if “right now, it’s for the wrong reasons.” pic.twitter.com/6GunHiqpos
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 18, 2023

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With the much-awaited All-Star right around the corner, the driver’s performance will be closely watched by the community. What do you think, will the driver change his ways?

Despite Ross Chastain Costing His Team a Much-Needed Victory, Dale Earnhardt Jr Strongly Backs His Controversial Approach

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Written by:

Kishore is a NASCAR Writer at EssentiallySports. With a degree in engineering, Kishore's love for automobiles, particularly the roaring naturally-aspirated V8s, naturally led him to NASCAR. Kishore's writing is characterized by his intense passion for the sport, as well as his ability to conduct in-depth research and analysis.

Edited by:

Nischal Kandpal

3-Word Ultimatum From Team Boss Triggers Ross Chastain to Make an Unanticipated Admission—“Fully Overstepped the Line”

Did Ross Chastain genuflect to the overwhelming pressure? Or did he learn his lesson?

Chastain shares the brief conversation he had with Rick Hendrick

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