Dover Motor Speedway is known for close racing and carnage, and Ross Chastain provided that early in Monday’s race.
Chastain was weaving through lapped traffic and pretty much shoved Brennan Poole past Austin Dillon and into the outside wall. As Poole went up to the wall, he flew into the path of Kyle Larson, who drilled Poole.
Ross Chastain shoves Brennan Poole into the wall, right into the path of Kyle Larson. Poole and Larson cars wrecked. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/qeNRzVESEv
— The Comeback (@thecomeback) May 1, 2023
Larson, who had nowhere to go, made his thoughts about Chastain clear over the radio. Larson called him a ******* idiot and was frustrated with how aggressive Chastain was, given it was the first stage.
"What a _______ idiot."- Kyle Larson is obviously frustrated with Ross Chastain. https://t.co/4RQLiQ5Uo9 pic.twitter.com/mMP79GCPkg
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 1, 2023
Poole was a bit more diplomatic with his comments, saying that Chastain “probably needs to get his butt whooped.”
Brennan Poole on Ross Chastain at Dover … 👀 pic.twitter.com/cyj2TBODqL
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 1, 2023
Chastain said over his radio that he didn’t mean to hit Poole, but Chastain has earned a reputation for causing wrecks over the past few years. Those watching the race didn’t believe Chastain.
✨ ross chastain tingz ✨ pic.twitter.com/ylUfk9GYZs
— NASCAR Memes (@NASCAR_Memes_) May 1, 2023
Unbelievable. First cup start this year for Brennan Poole having a fantastic run and just gets run over by Ross Chastain. How long is Ross gonna be able to just wreck people, have zero respect for anyone else & claim he didn’t mean to do it ??
— Danielle Trotta (@DanielleTrotta) May 1, 2023
If I am Kyle Larson, the No. 1 car doesn’t finish the race without being wrecked. However, does Larson have the guts to do it?
It’ll be interesting to see what happens if Larson and Chastain come close to each other.
— Austin Konenski (@AustinKonenski) May 1, 2023
Ross Chastain gets a lot of fair and unfair criticism… this was a REALLY bad moment for Ross and Kyle Larson and Brennan Poole paid the price. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/7T7H8piLW6
— Toby Christie (@Toby_Christie) May 1, 2023
Ross Chastain: dId NoT mEaN tO dO tHaT At AlL.
He never means to do it 😭#NASCAR75
— Darian Gilliam (@BlackFlagMatter) May 1, 2023
Ross Chastain when there’s someone near him he’s never wrecked before pic.twitter.com/Z3UZ3eNHO5
— Jay Cook (@FastCookYT) May 1, 2023
Poole was out of the race, and given that Rick Ware Racing is an underfunded team, wrecking out is especially tough. Larson tried to continue but had to go to the garage for repairs. Larson returned, but was many laps down. Chastain continued and stayed up toward the front for at least the first half of the race.
