KANSAS CITY, KS — Denny Hamlin emerged from an exciting NASCAR Series duel with Kyle Larson on Sunday, May 7, after a final-lap pass at Kansas Speedway. The victory ended a 33-race winless drought for Hamlin, dating to last year's Coca-Cola 600. Even though the end of the race was thrilling, a dispute between two other drivers stole the limelight. Tempers flared, and fists flew on pit road on Sunday.
Ross Chastain, known for his aggressive driving style, fell into another heated confrontation with Noah Gragson after Chastain spun out Gragson with 60 laps to go in the race. Gragson approached Chastain on the pit road after the race ended to make his grievances known. Gragson grabbed Chastain, and Chastain responded with a right hook across Gragson’s jaw. A fight ensued, and officials had to separate the two drivers.
Watch the confrontation here.
Chastain ended up finishing fifth, while Gragson, struggling through a difficult rookie season, was five laps down in 29th place. Chastain remains winless this season and keeps putting himself in these situations. He wrecked Brennan Poole last weekend.
Gragson expressed his discontent with Chastain’s driving, and Chastain took responsibility for at least part of what happened. “I got tight off four for sure," Chastain said. "Noah and I have a very similar attitude on the race track. We train together, we prepare together, and we know every little bit about each other. I definitely crowded him out of four."
NASCAR's Ross Chastain and Noah Gragson
(Credit: nascar.com)
When asked about the incident, Gragson said, “I'm sick and tired of it,” Gragson said of Chastain's driving style. “The guy runs into everyone.”
The NASCAR circuit continues on Sunday, May 14, for the Goodyear 400 at the Darlington Raceway in South Carolina at 2 p.m.
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