Most of us are unlikely to confess that we have gained knowledge through video games. Additionally, the majority of us aren’t NASCAR champions.
Ross Chastain was stuck in 10th place during the Xfinity 500 race on Sunday until he made an impressive move to catapult him up to 5th place on his last lap.
His daring, last-minute maneuver earned him a well-deserved spot in the next stage of the Championship and also sent waves of acclaim through social media.
Fans were amused by the daring move, with many trying to replicate it in-game or attempting to explain it in terms of a popular video game. Chastain’s move was nothing short of remarkable.
ok so in like splatoon terms hes using bubbler inside an enemy killer wail on camp triggerfish splatzones to jump across mid
— iz nx ai (@Aerisism) October 31, 2022
The best @NASCAR sim ever… Thanks @iRacing pic.twitter.com/b3OaHi89Be
— Pablo López 🐙 (@ThePulpoLopez) October 31, 2022
Growing up, Chastain developed his driving skills by playing the video game NASCAR 2005 on GameCube. Little did he know that this hobby would eventually turn into a useful maneuver during his races, as he revealed with a smile in a post-race interview. He never knew it would actually work!
UNBELIEVABLE!@RossChastain floors it along the wall to go from 10th to 5th and advance to the CHAMPIONSHIP! #NASCARPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/9qX3eq7T6h
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 30, 2022
In Martinsville Speedway’s half-mile circuit, the dramatic ‘wall ride’ bug can be pulled off by drivers during the race.
This bug is so game-breaking that it can only work on a track as short as the Martinsville Speedway, given its tight corners, which provide the necessary momentum for the dramatic slingshotting effect.
At first glance, it seems like Chastain has somehow found a way to manipulate the game’s speed or even hack it for their success.
The sheer shock and surprise evident from the spectators in this Twitter video is a testament to what an incredible feat it is. The other racers on the course also had a hard time believing it.
Witnesses of the event were left stunned, with one driver in NASCAR exclaiming it to be unbelievable and something out of a video game! The reaction was unanimous among those present: the sight was truly remarkable.
I cannot fathom what I just witnessed.
Greatest moment in #NASCAR history.
Ross Chastain has balls the size of 🍉#RossChastain #Trackhouse #Final4 #JustinMarks #DennySucks @RossChastain @JustinMarksTH @TeamTrackhouse pic.twitter.com/CSSF9FkjWL
— Caleb (@caleb_matthew21) October 30, 2022
Chase Briscoe, a NASCAR driver who finished in 9th place behind Chastain, attempted to replicate the wall ride maneuver via the NASCAR Heat video game – only to have his car clip into a random bit of geometry and spin out.
We gotta get the realism back into these video games…. pic.twitter.com/EnyFozYa0I
— Chase Briscoe (@ChaseBriscoe_14) October 31, 2022
This feat appears to be impossible, even in the digital realm – except for in iRacing, a realistic and competitive online racing simulator.
Sign up for our newsletter to get the best of The Sized delivered to your inbox daily.
