In a big gamble, Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet group elected to take simply two new tires when the sector pit underneath a late-race warning for a wreck involving Corey LaJoie.
Chastain got here off pit street second behind Kyle Larson, who had dominated the race and took 4 new tires.
On the restart with 27 of 267 laps remaining, Chastain battled side-by-side with Larson in an try and seize the lead and comply with up his teammate Daniel Suarez’s win at Atlanta with one in every of his personal.
However after practically three laps, Larson lastly cleared Chastain and in the end held off a charging Tyler Reddick for the race win.
Regardless of the robust battle with Larson, Chastain was capable of salvage a fourth-place end – surrounded by groups that had taken 4 tires on their remaining cease.
Overcoming adversity
It was stable rebound from a race that included Chastain having to start out the race from the rear of the sector as a consequence of unapproved changes and being penalized as soon as for rushing on pit street.
“This velocity. I imply the dealing with of the automotive is unbelievable for our (automotive). It’s every little thing that I wished, dream about, and get up and practice for is to drive automobiles like this,” Chastain stated. “That’s what makes it harm a lot worse.
‘Once we end fourth and we had been legitimately an eighth-place automotive, it’s one thing we’re high-fiving. You all have seen me in my profession, I’d soar up and down for a fourth-place end.
“When I’ve a automotive able to preventing for the win, and I take ourselves out, that’s what I can get down about proper now, however enthusiastic about as a result of I understand how good the automotive was and the way a lot velocity it has.”
The rushing situation was a very aggravating one for Chastain, as he has now been caught rushing on pit street in every of the season’s first three races.
Chastain’s recommendation?
“Don’t velocity on pit street. It’s unacceptable,” he stated. “Our automotive was robust sufficient to run with Kyle and Tyler; I simply can’t consider I did it three weeks in a row.”
Chastain stays fifth within the sequence standings, 20 factors behind Larson. Suarez is eighth.
