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“Now Everytime I Sneeze It’s a Story”- Ross Chastain Refuses to Apologize for the Shift in Media Perception Since His Major Cup Series Success Last Season

Published 06/14/2023, 2:05 AM EDT

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Ross Chastain‘s journey in the top-flight of NASCAR so far has been happening, to say the least. Having earned supporters through his entertaining and raging bull style, fans have even devised a term for wrecking the car, ‘Chastain-ed.’ After all, in a 47-race stretch, Chastain’s ram-battering racing has been involved in 13 wrecks with 9 different drivers. But how does it feel to be in the shoes of the Trackhouse Racing Team driver? Amidst the many allegations, Chastain opens up.

Chastain reminds one of the oldies of the sport. He is able to bring the intimidating factor of the revered Dale Earnhardt and the excitement of aggressive racing of the veteran Jimmy Spencer. While all this is true, there is no denying that even if there is an act that has no presence of Chastain close to the incident, his name pops up to draw comparisons.

Ross Chastain speaks out on the nonstop heat around him

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With two wins already since his debut in the Cup Series, Ross Chastain is already making a name as one of the better drivers. Although some of his fellow professionals might disagree, there is no denying his talent behind the wheel. Despite such obstructions, there is no stopping Chastain. He is more than looking forward to what lies ahead of him, shrugging off the allegations against him.

Ross shares his thoughts and experiences with The Wilson Post about his continuous growth in the sport. “In racing, things happen, I’m human, and I make mistakes. I’m learning. It’s part of the evolution.”

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Chastain has drawn many comparisons to the legendary former 7-time champion Dale Earnhardt. With a similar approach to the driving style, giving his blood and sweat on every corner, he certainly is somewhat similar to Earnhardt Sr. He continues, “Back when I wasn’t running up front, nobody paid any attention to how I drove. Now every time I sneeze, it’s a story. I race hard every lap, I don’t apologize for that.”

The 30-year-old has been subject to a lot of hate on social media platforms. He has been involved with many drivers, including Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and most notably, Noah Gragson, who had to bear a punch from Ross. While other drivers keep bringing his name up, Ross is unbothered by the accusations. He has chosen to preserve his style and keep bringing to the table what he always does.

Chastain prepares for the weekend in Nashville

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Chastain has very fond memories from Nashville, especially. His love story with the venue began in 2021 when he finished second in the first edition of the race. A year later, he rallied on to finish fifth and rake in more valuable points. Coincidentally, team owner Justin Marks also resides in Nashville. This will be boosting the team’s spirits looking to win in their owner’s hometown.

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Reminiscing the memories from a grueling finish at Nashville, Chastain adds, “That second place in 2021 was big for me. I was at a low point and that finish really boosted my spirits and confidence. It meant a lot to my career.”

Watch This Story: 7 worst wrecks involving Ross Chastain that proved detrimental to his rivals

Further, he also speaks about why this race has been the priority task for them. Justifying the reason behind the special attention, he reveals, “We put special emphasis on this race, we embrace the Nashville weekend. We’ll meet at Tootsie’s and do some other stuff around town. It’s a big deal for our team.”

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Chastain’s words give a look at how Trackhouse is preparing for the upcoming weekend. All eyes will be on Chastain as he looks to better his personal record at his favorite venue. Will he be able to win it all? Let us know in the comments below.

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Written by:

Ansuman Abhisek

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Ansuman Abhisek is a NASCAR Writer at EssentiallySports. As an engineering graduate, he has a strong affinity for cars, and it didn't take long for him to translate that into his love for the sport. He is a big fan of Kyle Busch and believes that the Richard Childress Driver still has his best years ahead of him.
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Edited by:

Varunkumaar Chelladurai