Kyle Larson voices frustration after making contact, trying to lap Ross Chastain at Darlington
Watch it! Darlington is where these two got into it before and now Kyle Larson and Ross Chastain appear to have beef again. Chastain was fighting for the lucky dog, free pass position being a lap down to the leaders. He gave his NASCAR rival Larson a hard time while the 5 tried to make a pass.
Despite both cars being Chevys, despite what Rick Hendrick might have said before, Ross Chastain did not give Kyle Larson an easy time on the track. Chastain has been slow all night and has had a hard time finding speed in this Southern 500 at Darlington.
That doesn’t mean he wants to lose his lucky dog position. His tough-nosed racing style frustrated Larson enough that the Hendrick driver went on his radio to voice his frustrations. He told his team to talk to Chastain’s spotter and see what was up.
Actually, in his own words, he said, “Go tell Brandon [McReynolds], what the f**k,” Dustin Albino reported Larson saying on his radio. NBC played the audio over the broadcast as well and let the driver’s frustrations be known.
Kyle Larson later complained, “My right rear is burnt off because of him [Chastain].”
Larson and Chastain have had their history together. This season has been especially interesting. A lot of people think that Hendrick might have intimidated the Trackhouse Racing driver a bit after his shenanigans on the track.
Maybe this was Chastain trying to get his edge back a bit while down a lap. At least Larson didn’t get spun out, like Bubba Wallace did to end Stage 1.
Kyle Larson looking for a playoff win at Darlington
There is just nothing like watching Kyle Larson drive through a field of cars. When he was put in the back at Richmond earlier this season before his win there, it was a masterclass. Same thing at the All-Star Race.
Starting further back than he had hoped coming into the race, Larson made his way through the mid-teens up to the top-10. Then he kept going and drove up to the top-5. He’s been in the top-5 for most of the race and is threatening Denny Hamlin for the lead. Those two remain the best cars on the track about halfway through the race.
If this is another race that comes down the the 11 and 5, in the playoffs, there will be fireworks. These two drivers are going to put on a show and if there is a controversial finish, then so be it.
While Larson has speed, Hamlin has led a ton of laps already in the Southern 500. It is going to take a special performance to reel him in, outlast the others, and finish this 500-mile race.