Ross Chastain is well known for his “riding the wall” stunt at the Martinsville Speedway last season. Lovingly called “The Watermelon Man” by his fans, Chastain’s on-track antics have also earned him the title “NASCAR’s Wrecking Ball.” And though Chastain has been having a great season and was at the top of the points table before the race at the WWT Raceway, an inordinate number of controversies have plagued him this season.

From punching Noah Gragson to wrecking Kyle Larson thrice this season to making new enemies virtually every race, Chastain has sealed his spot as NASCAR’s new villain. His out-of-control antics even caught the eye of Hendrick Motorsports boss, Rick Hendrick.

Chastain, who missed last year’s championship title by inches, wasn’t expecting a one-on-one talk with the HMS boss.

No air went in or out: The “Wrecking Ball” was left gasping for breath

 Following the incident involving Kyle Larson at the Darlington Raceway, Chastain received criticism from fellow drivers and team bosses alike. Rick Hendrick too had a few choice words for the fellow Chevrolet driver. Not new to controversies, the Trackhouse Racing Team driver struggled for words upon receiving a personal call from the HMS boss himself.

Before last Sunday’s race, NASCAR veteran Kenny Wallace joined John Roberts to interview Ross Chastain at the WWT Raceway. After a fun activity wherein Chastain made his trademark move by smashing a watermelon, Wallace asked Chastain about his call with Rick Hendrick. He replied, “Well, he [Rick Hendrick] called me early in the morning as he would. I thought of the night before and he was at dinner he called me, and yeah, I rolled over saw it and thought. No air went in or out and I just said good morning Mr. Hendrick, and we talked for probably I don’t know seven–eight minutes and it was great.

“He’s, I mean, anybody that’s ever seen him, read about, and watched him do interviews, or had the pleasure of meeting him, he’s just, he has a way about it that’s indescribable.

“And he told me how some things he was disappointed in, other things that he was really proud of me for. So we’ve talked before, we’ve talked in person and and that won’t be the last time we talk. Next time, we meet under a little better circumstances so, it was hard to breathe honestly.”

On the one hand, Chastain has failed to register a win yet; on the other, he has been at the center of controversies and scuffles this season.

Watch This Story: 7 Worst Wrecks Involving Ross Chastain That Proved Detrimental To His Rivals

Can Ross Chastain bag this year’s Cup championship?

 Joining Trackhouse Racing Team full-time in 2022, the #1 Chevrolet driver recently labeled himself a “Professional Loser,” because he has only won two races in his 7 years at the Cup level. However, he finished second to Joey Logano last year, coming really close to winning the championship. 

In an interview before the race in Dover, the reporters hinted at Chastain’s year-long winless slump. Seemingly unperturbed by the fact, he replied, “I’m a professional loser in my career so I’ve only won a couple of times so no nothing here.”

In fact, he sees each race as an opportunity to improve and get closer to victory lane. “Just coming out here and racing, I went seven-ish years without winning in this sport, I’m fully accustomed to without winning, I’m fully accustomed to losing,” he said.

Considering that he has been dishing consistent performances despite not winning a race yet this season, it seems to be just a matter of time before he wins a race and secures his playoff spot. 

As for the villain tag, it remains to be seen for how long can he continue to frustrate fellow drivers and their team bosses.

Read More: Ross Chastain Adds Another Name to His Growing List of Enemies, Led By Hamlin & Larson, at Gateway