The Unconventional Lexicon of NASCAR
Let’s get this straight: NASCAR isn’t just about turning left. Sometimes, it’s about making moves so audacious they earn their spot in the sport’s vernacular. Enter Ross Chastain, the watermelon farmer turned stock car star, who’s added not one but two verbs to the NASCAR dictionary. First, we had “Chastained,” basically the NASCAR equivalent of getting dunked on. And now, we’ve got “Hail-Melon-ed,” a term that’s as juicy as it sounds.
“The second is ‘Hail-Melon-ed,’ which Hamlin’s crew chief, Chris Gabehart, used to describe the move that knocked Hamlin out of the Playoffs, as in his driver ‘got Hail-Melon-ed.’”
The Martinsville Maneuver: A Move for the History Books
Picture this: It’s the final two corners at Martinsville Speedway. Chastain grabs fifth gear, pins his No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet against the wall, and shoots around like he’s trying to escape a tractor beam. This isn’t your grandpa’s NASCAR; this is something out of a sci-fi flick.
“That impossibly risky, unprecedented move netted Chastain a fourth-place finish—enough to knock an unsuspecting Denny Hamlin out of the Playoffs.”
The Aftermath: Waffles and Wall Sections
So, what does a guy do after pulling off a move that’ll be discussed for generations? He goes to Waffle House. But the gravity of the situation didn’t hit Chastain until later when he was removing a piece of the wall he’d just defied.
“It wasn’t till I went back up there to remove the wall. Mr. Campbell (Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell) had me up. We took a piece of Kubota equipment and lifted the center of the wall out with most of the word ‘Martinsville’ in it. He gave that to us, and that’s going to go with the Hail Melon car that (team owner) Justin (Marks) kept.”
The Unsuspecting Victim: Denny Hamlin
For his part, Hamlin was as surprised as a cat at a dog show. He was cruising along, thinking he was safe, only to find out he’d been Hail-Melon-ed out of the Playoffs.
“I just remember him saying we were two points ahead going down the back straightaway on the last lap, battling Brad (Keselowski) for one more position. At that point, I didn’t think there was a need to push the envelope anymore. But, yeah, ended up out of it, and all I remember is him (Chastain) being there beside me at the end.”
The Eyewitness: Kyle Larson
Even Kyle Larson, who finished second, knew something was up. He saw a new car in his mirror and thought, “Well, that’s different.”
“You look in the mirror to see kind of how close the guy is behind you, and I remember just seeing something kind of going on… like coming off turn 4, there was a new car in my mirror, so that’s all I really remember from that.”
The Legacy: More Than Just a Melon
Chastain doesn’t want this to be his lasting legacy. He’s got his eyes on the prize, looking to win more races and continue to make his mark on the sport.
“It made it even sweeter to go to Nashville this year and win after that—because it was like a third win in 2022—but I don’t want that to be my lasting legacy. I want to win more races and fight for everything we can fight for.”
About the Author
🚗💨 I’m the NASCAR Guy: your go-to for a blend of numbers, humor, and pure, unadulterated NASCAR devotion. Ever catch me racing? Nope! My expertise is on the keyboard, not the clutch 🏎️💻. Fun fact: my pit stop breakdowns could give Sherlock a run for his money 🕵️♂️📖. Hungry for NASCAR tidbits or a hearty laugh? Welcome to your oasis! 🛑 But as for racing me? I’ll stick to making tracks online! 🔥📜😆