Was Chastain’s Move Exactly What NASCAR Needs?

Much has been said about Ross Chastain’s miraculous move heard around the world on the final lap of Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville. The wall ride into the final turn on the white flag lap was literally a move straight out of a video game.

“I played a lot of NASCAR 2005 on the GameCube,” Chastain said afterwards. “I never knew if it would actually work…I grabbed fifth gear and asked off of (turn) two on the last lap if we needed it (the position) and we did. So I made the choice and fully committed.”

The buzz at the track and online afterwards was off the charts, with reactions ranging from admiration to disbelief. Joey Logano’s spotter proclaimed “I guess it does work,” after seeing the move. Chase Briscoe said “That’s literally the coolest thing I’ve ever seen in my life,” as Chastain cruised past him up on the wall.

Even Chastain’s own spotter could hardly believe what he witnessed. “I don’t know how long you’ve been sitting on that move but that was (censored) incredible,” he said to Chastain after the checkered flag.

However, not all the feedback from other drivers on the grid has been positive. Kyle Larson called the move “embarrassing” during a post race interview, despite having tried the same maneuver at Darlington in 2021. “Maybe if I didn’t do it last year, people wouldn’t even think to do that,” he said. So I’m embarrassed myself and glad that I didn’t win that way. It’s just not a good look.”

Logano also admitted after the race that the spectacular move has opened a can of worms at every oval track. “As spectacular as it was…the problem is now the box is open,” he said. “Now every Xfinity race, every Truck race, every Cup race…this wall riding is going to be a play. That’s not good.”

Chastain admitted that once he got against the wall that he let go of the wheel and that he was concerned about catching the access gate at turn four. However, NASCAR has also made it clear that the move was legal and is not in a hurry to outlaw it before the final race of the year in Phoenix.

“It was a move within the bounds of the rule book,” said said Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR chief operating officer. (We) really don’t think it’s right to adjust the rules when for 35 points races we’ve been one way and throw a wrinkle in it for the 36th (race).”

Safety and sporting implications aside, a moment like this may have been exactly what NASCAR needed to re-galvanize its fanbase. The sport’s sagging popularity has been well documented over the last decade. Despite viewership numbers that are still impressive compared to other racing broadcasts, many have openly wondered if NASCAR’s glory days were behind it.

But now there is real intrigue for the season finale at Phoenix. Will somebody else try the wall ride? Can Chastain bring home the championship thanks to his last lap heroics at Martinsville? Rather than trying to figure out NASCAR’s convoluted playoff format, fans now have some real action to watch for.

Chastain’s incredible pass was likely one of the most viewed and shared clips from a NASCAR race in recent memory that didn’t involve a major crash or pit lane brawl. If NASCAR wants to regain its footing as the colossus it was around the turn of the century, moments like this are what will pull people back in.