PHOENIX, AZ (SNN-TV) – Known as “The Melon Man”, deriving from his upbringing on his family’s watermelon farm, Alva native Ross Chastain prepares to compete for a NASCAR Cup Series title this weekend in Phoenix.
The final four drivers in Sunday’s Cup Series winner-take-all finale at Phoenix Raceway are Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, Chase Elliott and Chastain, who bumped Denny Hamlin from the championship with his spectacular last-lap scramble this past Sunday.
Chastain’s “video-game originated” move, now known as “The Hail Melon” electrified social media this week, with the viral clip on every inch of the internet and beyond — even landing at No. 1 on ESPN’s “SportsCenter” top plays list.
Chastain laid claim to a series-best 14 top fives this season, tying fellow Championship 4 competitor Chase Elliott with the series lead for top 10s. Being a part of the burgeoning Trackhouse Racing team, led by owners Justin Marks and Pitbull, Chastain has made the most of his opportunities, now finding himself on the doorstep of childhood dreams.
“I’ve never made the playoffs before this year. Couple that with winning races, leading laps and competing at the highest level in our sport, it’s been a roller coaster this year. But, this week has been a week of new, it feels different than any other week. Yeah, there’s nerves, there’s anxiety, there’s a lot of thoughts, but I feel so fortunate and blessed that I get to feel those things. I get to feel so nervous and excited to go race a car in a circle on Sunday afternoon. Like, how cool is that?” – Ross Chastain
The starting order for Sunday’s race will be set this Saturday during qualifying, and the green-flag will drop on Sunday at Phoenix Raceway at 3pm, and can be seen on NBC.