Jerry Jordan, Editor
LEXINGTON, OHIO – After the checkered flag fell to conclude the NASCAR Xfinity Series Rock and Roll Tequila 170 at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, tempers were rising as Joey Gase divebombed in front of Ross Chastain on pit road, then slammed his into gear and stalked Chastain to the garage area.
According to Chastain, the issue began on the track as he tried to hold position going through Turn 2, known as the keyhole. Chastain felt like Gase was pushing him out and the two cars made contact. So, going into Turn 5 at 13-turn road course, Chastain said he retuned the favor, which caused Gase to go off-course. That was the proverbial match the lit Gase up.
Fight in the paddock.
Ross Chastain and Joey Gase got into it on the track and again on pit road.
By time I got there, a crew member had tackled Gase. pic.twitter.com/YairNYxf6U
— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) August 11, 2018
After the two left pit road and headed for post-race inspection, Gase exited his car and ran to towards Chastain – fists clinched and swinging through the window opening as crew members from all four of the JD Motorsports teams intervened. It resulted in Gase being taken to the ground. As he was pushed away back to his hauler, Gase had some harsh words for Chastain and even after changing out of his fire suit and into street clothes, he didn’t hold back.
“Dipshit has to remember he’s the one trying to get into the Chase and I am too far out, so we can make that real hard on him,” Gase said, told Kickin’ the Tires and Autoweek. “He just always races me really hard and if I race him hard, then it’s an issue, so I guess that is the biggest problem. We’ll just have to see how the rest of the year goes for him, I guess.”
Gase had a different version of events, saying that Chastain used him up in Turn 5.
“He didn’t push me out, he kept on my ass and kept pushing me until I was done,” Gase said. “So, he has his story and I have mine. It is what it is,” I guess.”
Gase was called to the NASCAR Xfinity Series hauler to speak with officials, presumably about the issue on pit road. NASCAR did not elaborate on what was actually discussed.
Asked about the incident on pit road and the issues later in the garage area, Gase said he was just trying to talk to Chastain when a crew member intervened.
“Basically, I tried to go talk to him and his guy tried to block me, so I shoved him out of the way and then all hell broke loose,” Gase said. “He’s a four car team and we don’t have that many people.”
A short time later, Gase’s dad, Bob Gase, rushed back into the JD Motorsports crewmembers but was stopped short of reaching Chastain. As he was being pushed away, he continued to trash talk Chastain.
The Almost Fight Round 2 at @Mid_Ohio this time between @RossChastain Team at @JDMotorsports01 and a crew member, possibly team owner of the 35 car of @JoeyGaseRacing pic.twitter.com/DzmS2d2A6z
— Jerry Jordan (@JerryJordan_KTT) August 11, 2018
When approached about what Gase had said, Chastain declined to comment on the issues, saying only that he is looking forward to racing at Bristol Motor Speedway next week where he will be in the Camping World Truck Series, the Xfinity Series and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.