Ross Chastain Pocono Post-Race Report

Ross Chastain (@RossChastain), driver of the No. 19 Melon 1 Ford, made his seventh start for Brad Keselowski Racing (BKR) during the Pocono Mountains 125 on Saturday afternoon at Pocono Raceway.

 

Since Chastain’s Melon 1 Ford F-150 had been very strong in Friday’s final practice session, he started on the inside of the front row, in the second position, due to a rained-out morning qualifying session.

 

The No. 19 BKR Ford got off to a hot start, leading the first nine laps before his BKR (@TeamBKR) teammate, Ryan Blaney, took over the top spot on lap 10.

 

The driver of the No. 19 Melon 1 complained early on in the race about his machine being too ‘loose in’ and off of exit. Crew chief, Chad Kendrick, continued to motivate the young driver over radio communications that the No. 19 BKR team had a plan in place once pit stops began.

 

Kendrick decided to bring Chastain, who was currently running in the fourth position, to pit road on lap 22 for fuel and two right-side tires.

 

After the cycle of green flag pit stops were over, Chastain settled in the 10th spot for most of the latter segment of the race. He continued to complain about an issue with the right rear tire, which was later explained by Kendrick as an air leak, ultimately preventing the No. 19 team from running in the top three all race.

 

Chastain restarted in the seventh position during the second attempt at a green-white-checkered and was able to climb all the way up to a fifth place finish during his second career NCWTS race at Pocono.

 

The No. 19 BKR team now sits 7th in the NCWTS owner points standings, 71 points back from first.

“Although we had a top five finish today, I’m not as happy as I could be with the Truck we had here today. My BKR team fought hard all day, but we just couldn’t overcome the little things that eventually stacked up against us in the end. I am however excited about their determination and will to succeed. We will get to victory lane soon with that type of attitude.” – Ross Chastain  

 

BKR PR