The last Sunday at the Charlotte Roval will haunt Ross Chastain for months (maybe longer). You could see it written all over his face as he climbed out of his battered Trackhouse Chevrolet. He remarked, “It’s heartbreaking for almost 200 employees at Trackhouse, for our teammates, for ECR Engines — everybody that helps make this go round.” With the checkered flag within sight, he sat one precious point ahead of Joey Logano. One singular point. This prompted a desperate move from him, which didn’t just cost him a playoff spot; it reignited a fiery debate that would follow him long after the race ended.

As the drivers started the final lap of the race, Ross Chastain needed to pass Denny Hamlin by the end of it to secure his spot in the playoffs. And his spotter’s urgent call, “Get to the

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