Ross Chastain's Dominant Run Ultimately Foiled By Stage 2 Caution
3 weeks agoAlthough Ross Chastain has surprisingly lacked speed for most of the season, he had his best run of the year in Sunday's Watkins Glen race. Chastain is not normally a great qualifier, so his pole indicated that he would probably be a significant race contender. He dominated the first two stages and led 51 laps, but his chances for victory were ultimately foiled by a caution coming out a few seconds before he was poised to pit at the end of Stage 2. At that point, Chastain had little choice but to stay out until he had to pit for fuel, but the drivers on fresher tires ran him down, and Chris Buescher passed him for the lead to take control of the race. Nonetheless, Chastain's fourth-place finish and best driver rating of the season give him hope for a win before the season ends.
Source: Racing Reference
Source: Racing Reference