The NASCAR Cup Series raced in Music City USA Sunday (6/25) and Ross Chastain got to smash a watermelon after he dominated the race.

This was only the third year that NASCAR’s top division raced at Nashville Superspeedway. The Ally 400 had plenty of side-by-side racing. However, it had almost no on track incidents.

There was a total of four caution periods. Two of those were for the end of the first two stages of the race. Tyler Reddick was able to win stage one while Denny Hamlin scored the win in stage two. The other two cautions took place during stage one of the race. Stages two and three ran green from start to finish.

Ross Chastain was able to win the pole for the start of the Ally 400. It was his first career pole in the NASCAR Cup Series. Ross has been known for his aggressive driving style that sometimes causes contact between his car and other cars. During Sunday’s race Ross was aggressive. However, he was able to keep from contacting other cars while pushing to the front of the pack. His “controlled aggression” allowed him to lead a race high 99 of the 300-lap race.

The only lap that truly matters to be the leader is the final lap. Ross took the lead back after green flag pit stops with 34 laps remaining in the race. He was able to hold that lead and even stretch it out a little for comfort as he took the checkered flag for the first time in the 2023 season. This was his first win in Nashville and his third career win. His racing team, Trackhouse Racing calls Nashville home and this was their first win on their home track. When Ross wins his celebration is smashing a watermelon on the track in honor of his watermelon farming family.

Martin Truex Jr. took home the runner-up finish. Denny Hamlin claimed third-place. See the complete race results for the Ally 400 at Nashville Superspeedway here.

Martin Truex Jr. remains the leader in the point standings after the Nashville race. William Byron holds on to second as well. However, Ross Chastain’s win moves him up to third-place. See the complete NASCAR Cup Series point standings here.

The next stop for the NASCAR Cup Series will be a real “Wild Card” race. The series will race for the first time ever on the streets of Chicago around Grant Park Sunday, July 2nd in the Grant Park 220. This will be interesting!

(Feature photo credit: YouTube)

By: Buck Stevens