What’s Happening?
The treacherous Turn 11 at the Sonoma Raceway is no stranger to contact and controversy. So, it would come to no surprise that Ross Chastain would make contact with the No. 20 of John Hunter Nemechek, sending the Yahoo! machine around during the first stage.
You Need To Know:
- Ross Chastain has become somewhat of a meme in the NASCAR garage (of any series) as he is now largely known for “mowing down” his competitors. The contact with Gibbs driver, John Hunter Nemechek is only the latest in a long laundry list of contact with fellow competitors, and he likely won’t be the last.
- What makes this particular incident interesting, however, is the fact that J. H. Nemechek is a JGR driver as well as Chastain’s better noted foe over in the Cup garage, Denny Hamlin. It will interesting to see how the storyline of Chastain vs. JGR develops moving forward. Maybe, just maybe, it could get as big and interesting as Matt Kenseth vs. Penske..? Probably not, but it has the potential.
- Predictably, the more serious fans are split on the issue with some championing Chastain as the greatest driver since Earnhardt while other want him parked for his overly rough driving. Meanwhile, more internet savvy race fans are enjoying it for what it is: just another Chastain wrecking ball meme to post on social media and have a good laugh.
What appears to be just a racing incident could come back later on in the race to haunt Ross Chastain, given his reputation and noted beef with JGR drivers.
👀 Contact from Ross Chastain sends John Hunter Nemecheck around late in Stage 1 at Sonoma 👀 pic.twitter.com/nK6jsleOns
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 11, 2023
The Main Characters
Ross Chastain admits that he is no road course guy, even going to Skip Barber Driving School, his sponsor today, to hone in his skills. That’s some irony, if I do not say so myself.
Ross Chastain: "I'm not a road course guy. It's a lot of labor to get the car even close to where I need it to be to get around here fast."
— PRN (@PRNlive) June 10, 2023
He told @AlanCavanna he went to the Skip Barber driving school to refresh his road racing skills but still has a ways to go at Sonoma.
Nemechek becomes the latest JGR victim to Ross Chastain’s wrath in NASCAR.
Yahoo search: “Speed at Sonoma”@Yahoo | @YahooSports pic.twitter.com/GlSeYq8Ca8
— John Hunter Nemechek (@JHNemechek) June 10, 2023
Around The Garage
Here, owner of the No. 20 Yahoo! Toyota, Joe Gibbs Racing, reports on the incident but notes that he only lost about 6 positions.
.@JHNemechek gets sent around but continues on losing about 6 positions.
— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) June 11, 2023
Lap 19/79 pic.twitter.com/jdrVaXaSOj
In The Stands
As Jayski reports on the incident, fan D. Scott totally saw that coming once he noticed Chastain on the entry list.
![](https://dailydownforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chastain-1-Screenshot-2023-06-10-210940.png)
Yes, Nick, Chastain’d!
![](https://dailydownforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chastain-2-Screenshot-2023-06-10-211115.png)
Richardson SZN comments on this “Rare Ross W”
![](https://dailydownforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chastain-3-Screenshot-2023-06-10-211140.png)
Rowdy on Twitter tweets about the irony that Chastain’s sponsor for this race is Skip Barber Racing School…not to mention that Chastain went to the school himself to get better at road course racing…
![](https://dailydownforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chastain-4-Screenshot-2023-06-10-211215.png)
Charles reports that Chastain will never learn. To be fair, I don’t think anyone has successfully taught him a lesson. Somehow, someway, somebody has got to reach that kid.
![](https://dailydownforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chastain-5-Screenshot-2023-06-10-211340.png)
Yes, Brian, JHN just got #chastained
![](https://dailydownforce.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Chastain-6-Screenshot-2023-06-10-211418.png)
On Your Screen
Daily Downforce partner, DannyBTalks comments on Chastain being a menace, even in the lower Xfinity Series.
Even in the Xfinity Series, Ross Chastain is a menace.
— DannyBTalks (Daniel Baldwin) (@DannyBTalks) June 11, 2023
From The Pressbox
Stephanie begs the question: just what is it with Chastain’s prejudice towards the JGR Toyotas?
What is this guy's problem with JGR drivers/cars?! https://t.co/2B6d4SvhlO
— Stephanie💫 (@Steph_11and78) June 11, 2023
Rubbin is Racing reports on the inciting incident.
Chastain and Nemechek get into it💥
— Rubbin is Racing (@rubbinisracing) June 11, 2023
pic.twitter.com/HdjQZNsVwp
The Chastain Wrecking Ball U.S. Tour continues in Sonoma! What do you think, Daily Downforce readers? Let us know and shout it out!