Ross Chastain’s refusal to comment on his clash with Chase Elliott during the EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at COTA has incurred the wrath of some NASCAR veterans. Connor Zilisch, Freddie Kraft, Tommy Baldwin Jr., and Karsyn Elledge questioned Chastain’s silence on the “Door Bumper Clear” podcast.
Elliott, who had started in third place, spun out, and his car suffered significant damage in Turn 1 due to a very aggressive move by Chastain. The driver of the No. 9 had to change a left rear toe link during the first stage break.
NASCAR Veterans Dont Hold Back on Ross Chastain’s Antics
During the race, Elliott’s team strongly expressed their views on the incident. However, Chastain refused to comment, with his decision to remain silent sparking widespread debate.
Does it bother you that Ross didn't comment on the Lap 1 incident? 🤐
Go watch the full episode ➡️ https://t.co/hlrwvqUyGI@FreddieKraft | @ConnorZilisch | @KarsynElledge3 | @TBR7NY pic.twitter.com/5z5e0iicDn
— Dirty Mo Media (@DirtyMoMedia) March 4, 2025
Speaking on the podcast, Kraft said, “I just don’t understand where he is going. I think that is such a low-percentage move on the first lap of the race. The thing that p***** me off is like, why are you declining to comment? Like, why can’t you just get out of the car and say I f***** up?”
Rookie Zilisch, who was also involved in a crash at COTA, responded, “No I mean I got out and said that I f***** up. Like, it’s pretty simple. Yeah, I got out, and I was at Victory Lane, and honestly, it’s tough for me to celebrate a win like that because you know you ruined someone else’s race or you know. Especially my teammates. That’s what I felt worst about.”
After the race, Elliott also chose not to go into detail about the incident in an interview with Fox Sports, saying, “I haven’t seen it, so I don’t wanna comment yet, but it’s the first lap of the dang race. Frustrating to just fall behind there early. We had damage, toe knocked out in the back.”
Reacting to Chastain’s silence, Denny Hamlin, during his “Actions Detrimental” podcast, said, “Listen, I don’t know. I don’t know about the not commenting. Certainly, I don’t love it. But certainly, for me, I like to comment on everything, and it’s my job to.
“But I’ll just use a quote for Ross, then, from my standpoint. I believe he said it this past weekend in regards to last week. ‘Denny Hamlin will say about that incident I’m disappointed, I’m just disappointed with the decisions.’”
“I think to each his own,” added Hamlin. “It’s hard for me to judge why the no comment, but obviously, as a media person like I am today, right, it’s my job to analyze and just say, ‘Eh, wish we would have got something out of you there.'”
