P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Chastain finds bid for repeat win at Phoenix "a little bit tough"
Ross Chastain dominated last fall’s race at Phoenix, leading 157 of 312 laps, even though he had already been eliminated from the playoffs, giving runner-up Ryan Blaney the opportunity to claim the Cup Series title. The victory, combined with Trackhouse Racing’s strong start to the 2024 season, sets the stage for a potential repeat performance at the upcoming race. Chastain expressed that his win in Phoenix last November made several aspects of the offseason much smoother than before, describing the transformation as “almost indescribable.”
Three races into the new year, Chastain and teammate Daniel Suarez have proven their competitiveness, with Suarez’s photo-finish win in Atlanta securing a playoff spot. Despite being in contention in each race, Chastain faced challenges like pit road speeding penalties. He acknowledges the missed opportunities for early-season wins due to these penalties. Sitting fifth in the series standings after three races, Chastain reflects on what could have been had he battled for the win at Las Vegas without such setbacks. Looking ahead to the upcoming race, Chastain and Suarez aim to improve their performance and contend for victory.
