Ross Chastain honored late NASCAR icon Kyle Busch with a bow in victory lane after winning the Charbroil 300 at Charlotte Motor Speedway, before smashing a watermelon. The race ended under NASCAR’s weather rules after two stages, amid a weekend shaped by Busch
CONCORD, N.C. — Ross Chastain didn’t wait long for the familiar chaos of his victory routine.
He stood atop his No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet, looked toward the crowd, and first did the move that Kyle Busch made famous. Chastain folded his right arm in front of him and bent at the waist. bowing the way Busch had after so many wins. Only then did he grab the large watermelon and smash it into the pavement. turning grief into a brief. deliberate tribute.
Chastain said the moment wasn’t casual, even though his celebration usually is.
“I didn’t know what I was going to do. And we had conversations about, do we smash the watermelon or not?. We were very aware and mourning with everybody,” he said. “The bow I did was in the most respectful way of showmanship to one of the greatest drivers I’ve ever raced against. and to do it as a nod to him.”.
The win came Saturday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway. where NASCAR declared the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race over because of inclement weather after two stages were complete. The final result landed with Chastain in front when the race was effectively settled following several laps run under caution due to heavy mist and fog.
The weather had delayed the event for more than four hours. The race restarted around 10 p.m. ET.
Chastain said he fell asleep on the floor of his hauler during the rain delay, and team owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. went home. Of the 91 laps completed, Chastain led 28 of them, more than anyone else.
It was the first NASCAR race completed since Busch suddenly died on Thursday. Busch’s family said medical evaluations confirmed severe pneumonia, which progressed into sepsis and ultimately led to his passing.
Chastain said racing felt like medicine, even as Busch’s death hung over the weekend.
“I think racing is the best thing we can do,” he said.
The sport has carried a somber tone around the Coca-Cola 600, where the next day’s schedule continued despite the grief. Chastain described the track as the place where he could finally exhale.
“Getting on the track felt so good, to go fast, to just drive and slide the car,” he said. “This is the start of feeling a little bit of healing through this. It felt good to go fast tonight. … Losing Kyle was on my mind through all of this.”
Jesse Love and Austin Hill — two Richard Childress Racing drivers — finished second and third in the O’Reilly race. Busch belonged to the Cup Series team that includes Hill. and Hill will drive in Busch’s re-numbered Cup car on Sunday in the Coca-Cola 600. After Saturday’s race, Love and Hill both put on Busch hats when they got out of their cars.
Love said he was initially angry at the way the race ended, but the loss shifted his perspective quickly.
“I’m mad, right?. I think it’s a complete joke, handling it how (NASCAR) handled it. … Then I kind of realized. if this week has taught us anything. this all doesn’t matter as much as we think it does. right?. There’s things way more important than a trophy,” he said. “There’s a lot of hurt people right now.”.
For Chastain, the victory was not only emotional but also significant in the record books. It was his fourth win in the O’Reilly Series and his 15th win across all three of NASCAR’s top three national touring competitions. The win also gave him victories at Charlotte Motor Speedway in each of the three series.
Chastain is scheduled to run Sunday in both the Craftsman Truck Series race and the Cup competition. The truck race, postponed from Friday night, is set for 10 a.m. ET, and the green flag for the Coca-Cola 600 will drop at 6 p.m. ET.
Asked whether his celebration might prompt other winners Sunday to honor Busch in the same way, Chastain offered a prayer more than a prediction.
“I hope nobody else gets the chance, and we just win all the races.”
Ross Chastain Kyle Busch Charlotte Motor Speedway Charbroil 300 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Coca-Cola 600 JR Motorsports Dale Earnhardt Jr. severe pneumonia sepsis victory lane bow watermelon celebration NASCAR weather delay
That bow was wild lol
So they just… stop the race because of fog and then declare a winner? That seems sketchy. But the Kyle Busch bow thing is kinda cool, I guess.
Wait I thought Ross was actually honoring Kyle Busch with the watermelon first? Like he smashed it as the tribute? I’m confused bc the title makes it sound like the bow came after or before or whatever. Also NASCAR weather rules always feel like they can change it to fit their timeline.
My cousin said NASCAR made the call way earlier and the “under caution” stuff is just an excuse. The bow though, I mean it’s respectful, but then instantly smashing fruit like normal is weirdly funny. Also Dale Jr. went home?? That part seems not real, like why would you leave mid-weekend when you’re about to win?