Eighth-generation watermelon farmer Ross Chastain made a bold, video game move at Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 30. On the backstretch, he shifted into fifth, slid along the wall, took his hands off the wheel and floored it for the final quarter-mile, moving from 10th to fifth place and into the championship four for the first time in his career. NASCAR tweeted, “#MelonMan 1 got the whole world talking,” but some are saying there needs to be an immediate rule change to prevent moves like this. How should NASCAR handle this?
- Come on now! It’s racing! Fantastic move. Good move! Use the wall, it’s not going anywhere. — Vincent J. Deskiewicz Sr.
- It was a great move! Inspired! Drivers complaining about it are jealous they never thought of it! — Robin Neil Haberle
- Awesome move. NASCAR has lacked excitement for several years. Though he may not be big, he has shown he isn’t afraid to put it all on the line. Well done, Ross! — Dennis Orlando Jr.
- It was brilliant! No need to make a rule change. Not everyone is going to attempt it. #toomanyrules. — Amy Kelsey
- It brought excitement back. He did nothing wrong. He used the sideboard to make a shot. — Allison Gonce
- Best thing to happen to the sport in years. Brings back the Dale Sr. era of aggressive racing. — Pete Schonert
- There are too many “rules” because someone is mad that a competitor outsmarted them. Let the people race! — Jonathan Contant
- It was the right move. — Ethan Taube
- Rubbing is racing, and racing is rubbing. — Terri Long Simmons
- The “Ross run” was great. Not for everyone and not done as a regular move. — Elaine Russell Ringler
What influenced your vote?
Voters across the country considered a wide range of issues when they cast their ballots in the 2022 general election, including the economy, women’s rights, education and affordable housing, among others. Which issues were on your mind when you voted?
- My votes went to candidates who talked solutions and not past elections. Candidates who talked about the issues and not nonsense about past elections. Time for politicians to start working together and to bring this country back together. — Stan Sipple
- The Democrats are the party of insanity, so I voted red. — Mark Schmalhofer
- Criminals being released the same day they’re arrested, armed carjackings, the economy, gas prices. — Sandy McDermott Lewis
- Getting rid of the red. — Charlie Harper
