Ross Chastain Wins Rain-Shortened O’Reilly Race at Charlotte

Ross Chastain won the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Charlotte Motor Speedway on Saturday, enduring lengthy rain delays in a weather-shortened contest. His No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet held the lead when the final caution was thrown prior to a race-ending red flag.

“I don’t know how to describe how I felt,” Chastain told the media shortly after the clock struck midnight. “Delays don’t help. Getting on the track felt so good. To go fast, to just drive and slide the car.”

The Melon Man Takes a Bow

In Victory Lane, Chastain gave the remaining dedicated fans what they’ve come to expect: his signature watermelon smash. He then added a second move: Chastain paid tribute to the late Kyle Busch by recreating Busch’s victory bow from atop his car.

“I didn’t know I was going to do the bow,” Chastain said. “I was up on top of the car and all of a sudden I was keeling over looking at my knees. I don’t know if I did it right, I felt like my feet were all crooked, my knees were buckled…I was just trying not to lose my balance up there.”

Jesse Love and the “Complete Joke” Ending

Jesse Love finished second in the No. 2 Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet. He made it clear he did not agree with NASCAR officials keeping the field under caution until the end of Stage 2, when the race could formally be called according to the rules.

“I’m mad, I think it’s a complete joke how they handled it,” Love said. “If this week has taught us everything, this stuff doesn’t matter as much as we think it does.” Love was echoed by a contingency of fans on social media, while others pointed to the grim weather forecast as a factor that may have forced NASCAR’s hand.

Love’s Richard Childress Racing teammate Austin Hill placed third in the No. 21 Chevrolet. Hill will drive the No. 33 car for RCR in the NASCAR Cup Series this weekend, stepping in after the sudden death of Kyle Busch on Thursday. William Sawalich and Corey Day rounded out the top five.

Waiting Out A Long Break

The race started late Saturday afternoon, making it 33 laps before the red flag emerged for rain. For four hours, 21 minutes, and 59 seconds the field remained halted while track driers worked to restore the racing surface. When they resumed, the field navigated heavy fog and moist air.

The first caution came for the conclusion of Stage 1 on Lap 45. Connor Zilisch won the stage with Justin Allgaier behind him. Zilisch’s No. 1 and Allgaier’s No. 7 initially appeared to be the best in the field. They finished sixth and 29th respectively.

On Lap 52, contact from Sheldon Creed sent Brandon Jones’ No. 20 Toyota up the track into the wall in Turn 3. Jones’ day ended there, while Brent Crews and Harrison Burton were both collected.

The Final Caution

Sam Mayer brought out the caution again on Lap 61 after his No. 41 Haas Factory Team Chevrolet got loose and smacked the wall. Twelve laps later fluid from Dawson Cram’s car caused a slick on the track, sending most of the top ten up toward the wall. Sheldon Creed and Taylor Gray both had their days ended in the incident.

As fate would have it, the race never went green again. With one lap to go until the restart, NASCAR officials aborted the attempt due to inclement weather. The field proceeded under yellow until Lap 91, when the red flag came out a second time. Minutes later, Chastain was declared the winner.

Points Outlook

Despite trackbar issues costing him a strong finish, Justin Allgaier maintains a commanding points lead leaving Charlotte. His cushion over second-place Jesse Love is 145 points, with Corey Day next at 167 back. Sheldon Creed and Brandon Jones round out the top five in the standings.

Taylor Gray currently holds the 12th and final spot in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Chase. He has a two-point advantage over Rajah Caruth. Ryan Sieg is next closest at 15 points, while Brent Crews is 29 points behind the cutoff line.

Race Results