Ross Chastain has had a strong couple of weeks in the NASCAR Cup Series, with a runner-up finish last weekend at Phoenix Raceway, and a dominant run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway resulting in a third place.
Sunday’s Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 at Atlanta Motor Speedway has been no different for the Trackhouse Racing driver, leading 42 of the race’s first 95 laps in the No. 1 Advent Health Chevrolet Camaro.
However, while leading the pack around the newly repaved 1.54-mile facility, Chastain blew a right rear tire from the race lead, causing his car to violently snap around in turn one, being caught by the outside wall.
LEADER IN THE WALL https://t.co/uJLodf0Da7 pic.twitter.com/lcyAMJYodu
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 20, 2022
After making a trip to pit road in order to assess the damage, Chastain was able to return to the race and would have stayed on the lead lap, had it not been for an improper fueling penalty, that required a two-lap hold in the pits.