Coming up on a restart with 14 laps to go, Ross Chastain was the leader, but he earned a restart penalty and had to go to the rear of the field. On top of Carson Hocevar wrecking and bringing out another caution as soon as the field took the green flag, Chastain jumped the restart, too.
Ross Chastain, racing for Niece Motorsports, couldn't believe he was given a restart penalty. As the leader and control truck for the restart, it is difficult to be penalized. However, if Chastain restarted before the zone, a penalty from NASCAR should be expected.
"How the (expletive) can you get a penalty if you're the control car?" Chastain said on the radio, via Dustin Albino of Jayski.
Ross Chastain prepares for a restart (left) on the outside row at Watkins Glen. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
Whatever the reason for the penalty, NASCAR held to it. Chastain went to the rear, and the race once again went under caution going into Turn 1. The NASCAR Truck Series at Watkins Glen has provided some great racing today, but now, drivers are getting desperate.
Chastain was dueling it out with the likes of Connor Zilisch and Brent Crews. An old vet showing the teenagers how it is done.
All three Trackhouse Racing drivers will be in all three races this weekend. Zilisch, Chastain, and Shane van Gisbergen are all on triple duty at The Glen. That means we are going to see a lot of great action from those three drivers alone. SVG and Zilisch are more than worth the price of admission on a road course.
Tough luck for Chastain who had a few issues during the Truck Series day at Watkins Glen. He had problems in qualifying with his truck. Then he got to the front only to get a restart penalty. On Lap 69, following his penalty, Chastain wrecked while racing with Timmy Hill and trying to get up front. His day will be done as the race goes into overtime.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on May 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
