Hocevar appeared headed toward his first career victory Friday night at Charlotte Motor Speedway – leading 57 of 143 laps – but wrecked with Ryan Preece racing for the lead in the first overtime.
The wreck left Chastain the leader on the restart of the second overtime. Chastain, however lost the lead to Christian Eckes on the next-to-last lap.
On the final lap, John Hunter Nemechek nudged into the lead but Grant Enfinger pushed Chastain back to the lead and the win by 0.102 seconds over Grant Enfinger.
The win is the fourth in series for Chastain and first since 2019.
“Carson Hocevar and that No. 42 team dominated tonight. Al Niece (team owner) has given us trucks to come out and fight for wins,” Chastain said. “I hate it so much for Carson. If I had chosen the bottom (lane) like he did, I would have done the same thing. You’re just in a bad spot and I would have given him the push he needed to win.
“I’m so proud of Carson. I just want to say that over and over. I love him. We learn together and we lose together. I’m ready to bust (a watermelon)!”
Nemechek finished third, Eckes fourth and Zane Smith rounded out the top-five.
Completing the top-10 were Tanner Gray, Kyle Busch, Chandler Smith, Stewart Friesen and Ben Rhodes.
Hocevar took responsibility for the incident with Preece.
“A dumbass move by myself,” Hocevar said. “I tried too hard. I feel like a sis crying.”
Preece offered no sympathy for Hocevar.
“All you kids watching right now wanting to get to this level … don’t do that,” Preece said of move by Hocevar. “Race with respect.”
Stage 3
Following the break between Stages 2 and 3, only a handful of trucks pit including the leader Rhodes, which moved Eckes into the lead. Derek Kraus was penalized for speeding on pit road and had to restart from the rear of the field.
On the restart on Lap 66, Eckes was followed by Preece, Hocevar and Nemechek.
Preece powered around Eckes coming off Turn 4 after the restart to…
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