Ross Chastain pulled off a wall ride for the first time in NASCAR history; Will NASCAR add a new rule?
Sunday’s race at Martinsville Speedway will need a wall at the NASCAR Hall of Fame. Fans were gifted with the first wall ride in the history of the sport.
Ross Chastain rides wall at Martinsville; Passes 5 cars (Video)
On the white flag, Chastain ran 10th. He needed to pass two cars in order to advance into the championship round at Phoenix Raceway.
That would have been impossible. Yet, Chastain created a new playbook.
As he entered turn three, he grabbed 5th gear for the first time all day. He then stayed in the gas, rode the wall as full throttle. He used the wall to turn the car.
Chastain went from 10th to 5th, in one corner. He turned a lap at 18.845 seconds in the process, fastest than the qualifying track record.
The move has been attempted, many times. This was the first time it was a success and it was a huge success.
Many drivers are in favor of the move while others strong oppose the move for the future. NASCAR is looking at that.
However, for this weekend’s championship race that move will still be allowed…
Ross Chastain comments on if NASCAR should make a ‘wall ride’ rule
NASCAR reacts to move by Ross Chastain
“We’ve seen similar attempts but never successfully,” Steve O’Donnell stated via Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.
“In our 75 year history, nobody has successfully done that. Ross pulled off a first that I don’t think anyone was thinking about.”
“It was a video game move. Certainly within the rules, what he did and was able to execute it.”
“As with anything you see for the first time, you gotta take a look. A number of discussions internally about that move.”
“Within the rules and that’s where we’ll be for Phoenix as well. Then, we’ll evaluate in the off-season.”
Drivers have spoken to NASCAR about the move. Some are in favor while others strongly disagree with the move.
“We recognize it’s our job to make the call. If you make half the folks happy and half angry, you’ve usually hit the right tone.”
“At this point, it was a move that’s within the bounds of the rulebook. I really don’t think it’s right to adjust the rules when we’ve been racing for 35 points races, then throw a wrinkle in it for the 36th.”
Ross Chastain rides wall at Martinsville; Passes 5 cars (Video)
Links
Ross Chastain | Denny Hamlin | Martinsville Speedway | NASCAR
