Ross Chastain qualifies for the Grant Park 220 (Photo: Maddie Skidan | The Podium Finish)
CHICAGO – Undoubtedly, Ross Chastain had an afternoon to forget in the streets of Chicago. Chastain, last weekend’s winner at Nashville Superspeedway, will have plenty of ground to make up after a disappointing qualifying session Saturday afternoon.
The No. 1 car lacked speed in the opening sessions at the Chicago Street Course, ending up 34th in qualifying with a time of 90.980 seconds, 2.545 seconds slower than Denny Hamlin, who will start Sunday’s race from the pole position.
Earlier in the day during practice, Chastain had only slightly better results, recording the 30th quickest time after turning 19 laps.
Notably, this is the inaugural weekend for the Chicago Street Course, so everyone in Sunday’s race will have to learn and adapt quick to find success in the Windy City.
However, the Alva, Florida native seems to have also learned what not to do this weekend during his time in the simulator, which he discussed in a media session on Friday.
“I wrecked in every corner, OK. But that is what is so great about modern technology is that you just stop, they hit reset, and you fire right back off,” Chastain said. “Now, I rein that in. I don’t attack like I did in there. I bring that down and I will be working up to it. So, if you don’t see super-fast laps right off the bat from me, that is not an accident.
“Here, I have 2 point some odd miles and 12 turns that I am really focused on. I really am not putting any corners above the others until I drive the car. I am not having preconceived notions, I don’t want to proactively think ‘oh turn four is going to be tough’, I know they are going to be tough. There is not going to be an easy turn on this track because for me, because of no runoff. No room to run off, slow down and slide.
“I have just taken the approach that I know its going to feel terrible as far as wall proximity and knowing that I know the penalty in practice, qualifying, and the race and its really big. The moment that I break traction, I am not going to wonder if I am going to hit the wall for very long, because the wall is right there.”
In addition to racing himself this weekend, Chastain got to watch his team owner, Justin Marks race on Saturday during the Xfinity Series race. However, Marks blew an engine in the opening laps and finished last.
“It was really cool the first time [Marks] drove the track at the simulator at GM,” Chastain said. ” I was able to be there with him with Kaulig. We both drove and we got to compare to each other and compare our feedback of what we were feeling in the car as far as our driving styles.
“That was a really cool moment for me to get in and drive and then have him get in and drive. He is a racer. That is the Justin Marks I know. Justin Marks the team owner, I am still learning to adapt to in knowing him as that. I know him as the driver. He is a highly renowned road course racer and the guy that I went to for advice.”
Although this weekend will offer a lot of unpredictability, Chastain is fresh off of his third Cup Series career win at Nashville last weekend — a win that secured him a spot in the Playoffs. Chastain said that relieves stress heading into Chicago and the final nine races of the regular season.
“We ultimately want to have the most points and that is a sign of a great team,” Chastain said. “So, no matter what, this weekend, yes. Last week makes this week easier. But we are still going to put our best foot forward to run the 100th lap as far up as we can.”
Chastain and the rest of the Cup Series field will take the green flag on Sunday afternoon just after 5:30 p.m. ET on NBC.
