It’s no secret that NASCAR isn’t currently at the peak of its popularity. However, Ross Chastain, for some time, single-handedly gave hope and made things interesting. He joined Trackhouse Racing, a young team, in 2022. And who knew he was about to be a menace?
Be it his nonchalant racing antics with Denny Hamlin and Chase Elliott at WWT Raceway. Or his right cross to Noah Gragson’s jaw. He wasn’t scared to make enemies. And who can forget the ‘Hail Melon’ move in the 2022 Martinsville race, which got him his first championship 4 appearance in the Cup Series.
And many thought NASCAR had finally gotten a new villain. He was even called the next “Intimidator.” Dale Earnhardt Sr.’s time was when NASCAR was at its peak popularity and appeal. So there was hope with Chastain and his antics to save NASCAR.
But it all seemed to have died down over time. And we are back to a sport struggling with its popularity. Even in 2025, NASCAR doesn’t seem to have found a solution. And recently, Chastain was the one who pointed out how things need to change. And fast.
Ross Chastain Calls For A More Exciting NASCAR
Where NASCAR currently stands, it might be at its lowest ever. The 2024 season was called one of the worst ones after Joey Logano won it with a 17.1 average finish to the season. Lowest ever for a champion. The whole playoff format was called out as fans demanded a change.
And then, lacking popularity, even veteran sponsors exited the sport. How Denny Hamlin’s longtime partner, FedEx, decided to call it quits last season. And even the racing packages aren’t exciting enough. The short track one still needs more horsepower, the Superspeedway one needs less draft. Overall, something’s got to give.
And recently, Chastain, in an interview with “The Athletic,” was asked how NASCAR could get to the next level of popularity. And the Trackhouse driver’s solution was simple: make it more interesting, and he felt that, especially after what happened in Talladega.
Chastain said, “Well, it definitely needs to be exciting. And if a block in Turn 3 at Talladega that does not involve a crash and involves a half-dozen cars slowing down for one car merging incorrectly? If that’s the most exciting thing that happens at a Superspeedway race, we are probably not doing our jobs.”
So, what Chastain is referring to is that dangerous block he pulled on Hamlin. When a pack of cars led by Carson Hocevar and Hamlin were trying to make a pass on slower cars, Chastain, rather than giving way, kind of moved up in their way, causing them to slow down and almost crash into him.
And he felt that if this was the most exciting part of the race, than the race as a whole, or maybe the finish, things need to change. “When I got done and I realized and grasped people were talking about my block, I was like, ‘Wow, that really was a boring race,'” Chastain added.
Well, to be fair, NASCAR has been at it to make things more interesting. They are bringing old tracks back, like Bowman Gray or Rockingham. Or like how they are going global, taking the sport to Mexico. Let’s hope they do more of it, and the lost popularity is eventually restored.