William Byron and Ross Chastain should avoid discussing their last-lap contact at Texas Motor Speedway for the time being. It’s important for them to address the incident, but they should wait until after the upcoming race at Talladega Superspeedway to do so. Chastain gave plenty of room to Byron’s teammate Chase Elliott in previous restarts at Texas, showing that he can be a good Chevrolet teammate. However, working together at Talladega is crucial, and any lingering grudges could jeopardize their performance.
Talladega races require drivers to have as many allies as possible, particularly those within their manufacturer. Hendrick Motorsports and Trackhouse have been the top Chevrolet teams in Cup at superspeedways, but others like Richard Childress Racing, Kaulig, and Spire can also offer support. With both Chastain and Byron having recent superspeedway wins, it wouldn’t be surprising to see them needing each other’s assistance late in the race. Therefore, it’s essential for them to resolve any conflicts before the next race at Dover.
As of Tuesday afternoon, Byron and Chastain had not yet spoken about the incident. Byron expressed that he didn’t mean to turn Chastain but felt he needed to stay in his position. He has reached out to Chastain to discuss the issue but believes they should also let some time pass before continuing the conversation. If their discussion only leads to disagreements and frustration, it might be better to temporarily set any feelings aside for the upcoming race weekend at Talladega.
Bob Pockrass, who covers NASCAR for FOX Sports, emphasizes the importance of Byron and Chastain finding a resolution before their next race. Pockrass has extensive experience in motorsports journalism, having covered numerous Daytona 500s and worked with various publications. He suggests that delaying their conversation until after Talladega could prevent any potential disruptions to their performance on the track. Both drivers need to prioritize their partnership and focus on their upcoming race commitments.
Byron explained that the incident with Chastain was a result of both drivers coming together on the track trying to maintain their positions. Despite the contact, Byron believes he made the right decision to stay in the spot he was fighting for. While it’s essential for them to communicate and address the incident, postponing the conversation may be the best option given the significance of their partnership at the upcoming race. Ultimately, maintaining a positive relationship and focusing on their collective goals will benefit both drivers in the long run.
