Defending EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix winner Ross Chastain threw watermelons – his trademark victory celebration – off the 251-foot observation tower at Circuit of The Americas on Friday, March 24, 2023, as NASCAR returns to Austin, Texas. Photo Credit: NASCAR at COTA/Harold Hinson Photography

AUSTIN, Texas – NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain took his famous watermelon celebration to a whole new level when he tossed several watermelons from atop of the iconic 251-foot observation tower on Friday at Circuit of the Americas.

The Trackhouse Racing driver is hoping to smash a few watermelons again on Sunday when he competes in the NASCAR Cup Series EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.

“That was a cool moment,” Chastain said.  “This sport is so cyclical into every week we move on. Every week there’s a new winner and 30 something losers. For the track and NASCAR to reach out and let us experience that was a really good way to remember last year. It was motivating and they said if you win again we will do that again and keep that tradition going. We don’t want to win all of them. That would be greedy of us but we’ll try.

Chastain made his trademark watermelon celebration famous here last year by smashing a watermelon on the front straightaway after taking the checkered flag. It was his first NASCAR Cup Series victory for the driver if the No. 1 Worldwide Express Chevrolet.

Chastain comes from a family who grows watermelons on a farm in Alva, Florida. Since he launched his racing career, he has made it a tradition by smashing watermelons on the track during victory celebrations.

“Officially set a new high water mark for the highest point (throwing a watermelon),” Chastain said. “I was a little off to the right on the first one, but each one got better… I’d love to go out there on Sunday and get three more tries next year.”

After the watermelon smash event and before the NASCAR Cup Series practice session, Chastain greeted fans in attendance with autographed hats and even a few watermelons. He was third fastest in then EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix practice after record a 132.685 time.

Chastain is pulling double duty this weekend and he is also competing in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He earned the pole position after posting a lap time clocked at 91.877 seconds in his No. 41 Worldwide Express Chevrolet.

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