Revisiting the Ross Chastain NASCAR wall-ride

It was the penultimate race of the 2022 season, and Chastain’s chances of advancing in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs were slim. Christopher Bell was on the verge of securing a spot in the Championship 4, while Joey Logano had already secured his place with a victory a few weeks earlier. Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin were holding the final two transfer spots.

Chastain had an incredible rookie year with the Trackhouse Racing Team, winning twice and consistently finishing in the top five and top ten. However, he had made enemies along the way, particularly with Hamlin. The two drivers had numerous run-ins, and the elimination race at Martinsville was no exception. They traded paint and clashed doors as they fought for a spot in the championship race.

At the white flag, it seemed like Hamlin would prevail, with Chastain two points behind. It appeared that Chastain’s title hopes were dashed. But the Florida watermelon farmer had other plans. In what has since been called the “Martinsville Miracle” or the “Hail Melon,” Chastain pulled off an unbelievable pass.

As the pack braked and navigated the tight turns of the short track, Chastain shifted gears and stuck to the outside wall. The focus shifted from who would win the race to the astonishing pass happening before their eyes. The crowd fell silent, and then erupted in cheers as Chastain blazed past his competitors. He passed five cars in total, racing side by side with Hamlin at the finish line and knocking his rival out of championship contention.

Chastain’s final lap shattered the track record at Martinsville, running almost a second faster than Kyle Larson’s pole speed that weekend. The video of his pass went viral, reaching over 100 million views on social media. Even Formula 1 World Champions took notice, with Fernando Alonso praising the move as the best thing in motor racing in 2022.

While there were some detractors, the overwhelming reaction was positive. NASCAR legends Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon were in awe of the pass. Chastain claimed he learned the move from playing NASCAR 2005 on the GameCube with his brother as a child.

Despite the fascination and excitement surrounding the pass, safety concerns had to be addressed. What if the move didn’t work? With the advantage it provided, NASCAR had to decide whether to ban the wall-ride. In the end, they chose not to take any immediate action, but banned the maneuver ahead of the 2023 season due to safety concerns.

Justin Marks, co-owner of Trackhouse Racing, decided to preserve the car as a tribute to the historic moment. Martinsville Speedway even removed a section of the wall scarred by Chastain’s pass as a nod to the unforgettable move. Lionel Racing’s diecast of Chastain’s car became their top-selling item of 2022.

As NASCAR returns to Martinsville a year later for another elimination race, six drivers are fighting for two remaining spots. Chastain, unfortunately, is not among them as he was eliminated from the 2023 playoffs a few weeks prior. While there may be desperate moves to avoid elimination, it’s unlikely anything will surpass what Chastain accomplished.

Chastain plans to commemorate the move with a special helmet design. Reflecting on the iconic moment, he acknowledges its significance in his career and the sport. He hopes the attention it garnered brought more fans to NASCAR.

Regardless of what Chastain achieves in his racing career, the pass he made at Martinsville will always be his defining moment. It solidifies his place among NASCAR legends who have left an indelible mark on the sport. These moments transcend time and leave a lasting impact on fans and competitors alike.

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Olivia Carter

Olivia Carter revs up excitement in the world of NASCAR. As a dedicated motorsports enthusiast, she covers race results, driver profiles, and the latest developments in the NASCAR world, keeping fans on the edge of their seats.