Ross Chastain Reflects on the Hail Melon Move and Looks to the Future
The week after Ross Chastain pulled off his viral “Hail Melon” move at Martinsville Speedway to advance to NASCAR’s championship race last fall, he found himself in a meeting with Cup Series officials. His fellow drivers were debating whether the move should be banned. Chastain sat quietly in the back, eating his lunch and observing the discussion. A year later, he still chuckles at the memory, even though NASCAR ultimately decided to outlaw the move this season.
Chastain stands by his decision and is willing to do anything imaginable to gain an advantage on the track. However, he understands the need for safety and agrees with the decision to ban the move. He doesn’t want to risk wrecking, whether intentionally or accidentally.
Contrary to popular belief, Chastain did not pre-plan or practice the Hail Melon move. It was a spur-of-the-moment decision driven by desperation. As he drove into Turn 3, he grabbed an extra gear and never lifted his foot off the gas. The move worked, earning him a fourth-place finish and enough points to eliminate rival Denny Hamlin from the playoffs.
The Hail Melon move will go down in history as one of the best and most creative moves in NASCAR. Other drivers have expressed their admiration for Chastain’s bold move, wishing they had the guts to try it first.
For Chastain, it’s all about getting the best result for himself and his team. Whether it’s a move that makes it onto SportsCenter or something unseen off-camera, his goal is to beat his competitors on race day. Winning is the easiest way to achieve that.
However, this season presented challenges for Chastain. Despite several close calls, he didn’t win until late June. He admits that the period before his next win was tough. He didn’t want the Hail Melon move to be the last thing he was known for. Winning again was necessary to close that chapter, and he accomplished that by winning the Nashville Superspeedway race from the pole position.
The victory was a shining moment in an otherwise challenging season for Chastain and his Trackhouse Racing team. The team’s cars didn’t have the same speed as the previous year, and Chastain had a stretch of nine races with only one top-10 finish after the Nashville win. He was eliminated in the second round of the playoffs.
Chastain also faced criticism throughout the season. His early-season speed put him at the front of the pack and leading in points, but it also led to clashes with other top drivers. His incident with Kyle Larson at Darlington drew criticism from Larson’s team owner, Rick Hendrick. However, Chastain values the phone conversation he had with Larson afterward.
Despite the challenges and criticism, Chastain embraces his reputation as “the guy who did that thing.” He doesn’t mind the constant reminders of the Hail Melon move, even if it receives more attention than his wins combined.
Looking ahead, Chastain’s future is secure. He has a long-term contract with Trackhouse Racing, and high-profile sponsor Anheuser-Busch will back him next season after Kevin Harvick retires.
Chastain is commemorating the Hail Melon anniversary at Martinsville this weekend. His helmet, designed by Ryan Young of Indocil Art, features a scratched-up right side to match how his car looked at the finish line last year.
As he reflects on the Hail Melon move and looks to the future, Chastain is grateful for the opportunities that lie ahead. He has surrounded himself with a team, both on and off the track, to take advantage of those opportunities. While he acknowledges the new opportunities, he remains the same Ross who answers questions and is ready for whatever comes his way.
The Hail Melon move will forever be a part of Chastain’s legacy, and he cherishes it as a memento of that incredible moment.