Ross Chastain Wins 91-Lap Charlotte Race as Fog and Rain Trigger Jesse Love Backlash
Updated
Updated · Sports Illustrated · May 24
Ross Chastain Wins 91-Lap Charlotte Race as Fog and Rain Trigger Jesse Love Backlash
6 articles · Updated · Sports Illustrated · May 24
Ross Chastain was declared the winner after NASCAR stopped the Charbroil 300 at Charlotte at Lap 91, less than half of the scheduled 200 laps, with Jesse Love finishing second and blasting the handling of the finish.
More than four hours of weather delay gave way to thick fog, mist and rain, and spotters repeatedly reported they could not see; only 37 laps ran under green before officials ended the race.
Visibility problems shaped the restart and aftermath: a Lap 52 multi-car crash was blamed on spotters' limited sightlines, and oil from Dawson Cram's blown engine on Lap 73 was not quickly detected, sending several cars into the wall.
NASCAR kept the field under caution for 17 straight laps to reach the end of Stage 2 at Lap 90, the threshold needed to make the race official, before pulling cars to pit road and calling it complete.
Love called the finish a "complete joke" before adding that the week's loss of Kyle Busch put the result in perspective; Austin Hill was third, with William Sawalich and Corey Day rounding out the top five.
After a tragic weekend and controversial finish, is NASCAR's credibility now on the line?
Will the shocking death of a champion finally force a culture change in professional racing?