Ross has gotten me back into Nascar after really not watching the sport for more than 15 years. No doubt he's makes more than his fair share of mistakes on the track but the dude is just wide open all the time and it's awesome to watch. Also the dude doesn't act like a jerk in his interviews say like a Kyle Busch so in my opinion he's likeable
He is what NASCAR needs right now. He’s someone that people talk about. As an athlete, it’s very hard to get people talking about you every week and it seems like Chastain has fans in the palm of his hand every single race weekend.
If every driver drove like Chastain, we'd have 10+ cars wrecked every race. It would degenerate into a wreckfest with drivers constantly going back and forth with each other.
NASCAR needs more drivers like Ross. He’s one of the few standout personalities to break into NASCAR in the last decade. And he’s also incredibly entertaining to watch, just like that dude in the 42 that he clocked on Sunday.
I respect Ross for what he is and this is coming from a massive MTJ fan. Drivers like him have that aggression from clawing tooth and nail for every opportunity. I’ve seen it first hand in motocross. And his moves bring back that passion the sports been missing like Jeff Gordon said about his Dega win after fans threw beer cans at him.
I’ve been a Ross Chastain fan since 2015 because he’s from my home state/home county, he’s one of the few examples of drivers getting in a great team cuz of talent despite clawing his way to get to the top so many times, he’s got talent and shows he can be a successful driver! He’s a talented driver, but brainless and careless. I really love seeing Ross Chastain race hard and show his talent, but I don’t like it when he causes crashes or takes our other drivers and such. I’m a fan of his talent, but I hate it when he does cause issues and show no respect. I hate it when favorite racing drivers of mine have their dirty moments and disrespectful moments. I root for them cuz they’re talented and show they can win races and championships, like Will Power, The GOAT! Other than that, I’m happy to root for Ross. He’s making Lee County proud! :) (except when he’s causing problems)
Ross Chastain is what the sport needs right now. Everytime he's mentioned, he's involved in something, EVERYONE talks about it. Numbers go up. Social media goes up. Ross Chastain has grinded his way to where he is today. From Stacey Compton taking a chance on him over a decade ago, getting shafted with the DC Solar ordeal, working hard wherever he goes. Is he probably overaggressive on track? Probably, but so was Dale Sr. at times. The agrression comes from him clawing his way in the lower ranks, and we need that in a sea of bland personalities (cause godforbid someone breathes the wrong way according to NASCAR).
I've been a fan of Chastain ever since when he drove for BKR in the truck series, I like that he's aggressive and doesn't * bleep * around. I love his celebration with the watermelon smash because it's funny. He's had to get his way up to the cup series, not fed on a silver platter like most of them. When Ross wins, I'm excited to heck. Hopefully he can win sometime this year?
We need to at least respect that he is one of the most interesting drivers in the sport. The fact that he isn’t well known out of the Nascar sphere is idiotic because he could bring in new fans.
Ross Chastain has been the best thing to happen to NASCAR in a decade. He’s the perfect juxtaposition to the new generation of baby face nepo-baby drivers like Chase Elliot and the Dillons. A guy that comes in to every race and drives like his job depends on it. That will do anything to win, and won’t back down to the old guard teams like Hendrick and JGR. Ross and Trackhouse emerged right as my interest in the sport began to wane. Now, I’m back to watching every race, and loving it. All hail the melon farmer.
When I raced cars and motorcycles I heard all the same shit as what people whine about over Ross Chastain, people dislike someone that has confidence in themselves and aren't afraid to get closer to the edge than anyone else.
Ross is my favorite driver since around his win at Talladega last year. My original fav was Dale Sr when I was a kid, then Dale Jr. I went the last several years without a fav but Ross is hitting all the spots. Ross Chastain - Bustin' Jaws and Breaking Laws!
Chastain does make things more interesting, and he certainly has his good moments and a good story, but when he gets into with people, it is just at stupidly frustrating times, and sometimes for no good reason at all. You could say his first win at COTA was a precurser to his reputation, since he junked two car on his way to win, one (Bowman) who did him no wrong but was in the crossfire of Dinger. The win is on the line that lap, so you can say there was good reason for it, though anything but clean. The entirety of Gateway was just garbage from him. He and Truex at Dover 2022 wasn't really clean either, as Truex wrecked because of a very late block that upset Truex's car. Him and Truex again at Atlanta 2, obviously more incidents with Hamlin. Him and Blaney at one race. Him and Kyle Busch I believe. Those are just the 2022 incidents that I remember off the top of my head. People want to compare him to Sr., but Sr. got flack for this too back in the day. He was booed at Charlotte a few times, his home race. Booed at Bristol after Rattling Terry's cage. Started the chain of events at Atlanta 1992 that lead to the end of Davey Allison's season, for no good reason at all, on lap 2. People that want good racing, regardless of era, don't like to see one guy junk cars for no reason. People rather see side by side racing to the line than a guy wrecking or spinning another guy before the line. It's this mentality for many fans is why Chastain is more frustrating than entertaining. Rather than the Sr. comparison, he actually reminds me more of a younger Keselowski, 2009-2014. Keselowski, especially in 2014, was making many veterans mad for absolute dumb reasons. The two big ones for him were Charlotte 2014, when he drove Hamlin dirty, sideswiped Kenseth on pitroad postrace when Kenseth's belts were off, and rear ended Steward after that. Then Texas the incident between him and Gordon. You could say the door was open, but it was smarter to stay behind Johnson and possibly shoot low if he got off the bottom. Going to the middle was stupid because the hole was still small and it could've damaged his tire instead of Gordon's. Not to mention Harvick was sick of him too that race. While the incidents are different, the bad decision making makes it feel like Keselowski and Chastain is a better comparison. Down the road he will be remembered more fondly for his best moments as well as what hes overcome, but right now outside of Denny Hamlin he is the most divisive driver in Cup right now, and will be until he cleans it up. You can still be exciting without being dirty. Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson proved it last year at Kansas. Of course you have the hail melon. You had the Atlanta finish this year. Watkins Glen has had plenty exciting but fair battles. Jimmy Spencer was named Mr. Excitement not really because of his on and off track scuffles, but because he had the closest win in history the year electronic timing and scoring was implemented. Like I said before, people tend to like these moments better, especially today. He will get there, but he is going to have to endure the wrath of a good part of the fanbase for now.
I personally like him a lot. In my opinion, NASCAR needs more aggressive drivers to make it more interesting. He is a breath of fresh air. I will admit that he does take it too far sometimes. PLEASE DONT FLAME ME IN THE REPLIES
He knows exactly what hes doing. Notice him sit back just so slightly on every restart. Hes on the edge of the rules, and principles. I like him but also hate him.
Whatever way you cut it, Ross is a gripping engima. Acts like he doesn't know the rules but crushing it. Either he is brillant or the luckiest hack to hit the track. Drivers can't stand him because he thinks and acts for himself, doesn't bow to pedigree and partly because his ready apologies dilute their frustrations of intent. Does he or doesn't he know exactly what he's doing? That's what I find most captivating.
I'm a fan of clean driving style, probably influenced by watching F1 for over a decade. It was only last year that I gave NASCAR a try. My stereotype of NASCAR was all about bumping and rubbing, so discovering clean drivers like Chase Elliott made me really happy. I can tolerate Ross Chastain's aggressive and daring driving style because the current playoff format in NASCAR sometimes forces drivers to do whatever it takes to win. However, regardless of how friendly and kind he may be off the track, his repeated lack of respect and casual apologies after making mistakes on the track are the reasons I can't support him.
I feel that hes gonna take over for Kyle Busch who was the one always being hated and being the villian, byt Kyle has moved from those days nowadays and is just a very grizzled veteran lol, meanwhile Chastain is coming up and getting everyone angry, becoming the villian, so i love him for it
I always hated Kyle more for his shitty attitude and whininess than his actions on the track. If he'd had a better attitude I would've rooted for him his entire career. His performance wasn't why Hendrick fired him. Ross definitely has a similar driving style, but he doesn't get out of the car and blame everyone else for his performance like Kyle, Denny and so many other have their entire careers.
👆🏼This 100%!! I have never denied Kyle Busch being an immensely talented driver, the man has amazing talent, but the ‘3 year old having a fit in the sandbox’ attitude is what kept me from being able to respect and follow him. Ross may drive you hard, sometimes too hard, but he owns it when he does.
You will never get less than 100 from Ross. Good or bad as it may turn out,but history remembers the bold. I don't agree with everything he does,but respect the hell out of the man for staying hungry.
In my opinion, I love Ross Chastain. He's bringing back that old school bumping and banging style of driving. One thing for certain: Chastain has made Nascar FUN again.
Fans want drivers who have personality and then when kfb or Chastain or Elliott or others show some personality fans say they're just whining or being stupid I love nascar , but man the fan base is some of the most bipolar groups I've ever seen , Chastain is an awesome
NASCAR should make Ross, employee of the month. They should make one of those cheesy, employee of the month portraits, with a smiling Ross Chastain, wearing his name badge, and hang one in everybody's garage area!!
After not paying any attention to the sport since early childhood (my only view into the sport was my first ever best friend & Nascar 04' & 05' games) I got really into it & started watching full seasons in 2020. I struggled to find a driver I resonated with until the last lap at COTA last year. Ross captivated my attention & I'm not looking back. Been a wild ride but I'm a Chastain fan through & through. Love him or loathe him he's defintely spiced up the sport 🔥
I like Ross because he'll do anything to race hard. He thinks outside the box and regardless of his "only two wins" he's up front pretty much every week threatening for a win. Kyle Busch has spent his entire career racing in a similar style and a horrible attitude. Has Kyle every gotten this much focus from the media and other drivers with everyone on the track blaming him for everything? Nope. Unlike Kyle, Ross doesn't cry about everything and blame everyone else. I never cared for his obviously fake apologies after incidents, but if you paid any attention this week.....he didn't apologize....at all. And he didn't need to. I think he's had enough of the BS and everyone blaming him for everything, especially when he didn't even touch them (Noah).
Though I would never compare Chastain to the late Dale Sr. I see him No different than Sr. was back in the day. Very Blue collar, very relaxed, and also genuine. Without wanting to be Sr. himself, he is the modern day intimidator. Just think about it for a bit race fans.... Honestly (coming from a Chase Elliott fan). Chastain will be the driver (if he plays his role the same way) to become the most loved or hated driver in NASCAR. He is the kind of guy that by the skin of his teeth will win at any cost. No he doesn't have the championships under his belt, and his accolades are few and far in-between, but he truly is the making of something interesting that we haven't seen in a long while. He finally strike a great deal with Trackhouse and actually starts to perform for the team. A new team with large ambitions to be great. He is consistently in the top 5 or 10 if not taking the whole pie, and he makes moments happen on track that we haven't seen for some time. He takes risks, and truly drives the damn car like he stole it. Everyone has a reason to hate Chastain for the way he drives (including me), but you cannot deny that he is the man that NASCAR has been looking for, for some time now. He is what he is and isn't apologetic about it. This man spent years racing, never once thinking he was going to be a serious contender and now look at him. He is reckless, he is ambitious, he is borderline insane.......... But seriously..... Was Dale Sr. truly any different? I grew up a Gordon fan, so naturally, I disliked Dale, but that is because I preferred a certain style of driver to be my liking.... Hence why I am an Elliott fan, even though Elliott is softer than Gordon was in ways, but I can respect what Dale was as a man, and what he tried to accomplish, same as I can sort of respect Chastain for his road to greatness. This guy has grit, has ambitions, and is talented. Though I don't like how he drives..... I don't always hate it either. The only thing Chastain needs right now in his career, is his own Jeff Gordon. Someone who has skill, and drives with great talent, but also won't take his shit and is willing to play the cards they are dealt with, with zeal and carisma different from Chastain. I personally, don't know where I stand with Chastain. Loved him 4 years ago, then hated him. Loved him two years ago, then hated him. Those conflicting feelings are what change racing and revolutionize who WE are as a sport. He brings something to the table no matter what you think of him. Not even someone as controversial as Kyle Busch has been able to create such an interest in todays times. while KB is considered the villain to most, Chastain creates a vail in which even the good in this story can't tell if they side with him or not, and that is what makes this interesting. I am glad to see Chastain on the grid, even if he takes my driver out in some dumbshit and has me seething from his actions. IMO, he is the closest we have had to the late Dale since he himself passed away, but in a different tone, one that is more relative to our time now in this sport.
I have liked Chastain since he was 18, driving part time for Stacy Compton in trucks. When he got that shot with Ganassi in 2018, he became my favorite overall driver, if he had won or not. (I like Hamlin and Kyle Busch too)
As a Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Kyle Busch fan, I absolutely love Ross Chastain. The only thing I dislike about Ross, is Ross not owning it as the villain role like my two all time favorites (Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Kyle Busch) did, and the fact that he doesn’t win much. Other than that, I absolutely love his aggressive take no prisoners driving style. I’ll say this, as of right now, Kyle Larson is who I’m considering being my next favorite driver (once Kyle Busch retires). However, if Ross gets to where he’s winning consistently, continues to drive aggressive, and eventually wins a championship or maybe even multiple, he’ll definitely become my next favorite once Rowdy retires. Now some might ask, why do you say that? Because if you look at my top 5 personal all time favorite NASCAR drivers (1. Dale Earnhardt, 2. Kyle Busch, 3. Darrell Waltrip, 4. Tony Stewart, and 5. Rusty Wallace), then it’s not hard to figure out why I like Ross Chastain. I can’t even get mad when he gets into it with KFB, because honestly, I’d do the same thing (if I was talented enough to be a NASCAR driver for a good team). Aggressive driving, willing to use the bumper if it means winning the race, doesn’t care if fans boo you or not, that’s what I look for in the drivers I root for. And that’s why I base my future favorite driver off of my top 5 all time favorite drivers. Oh yeah, before I forget, the last and final thing I don’t like about Ross is he doesn’t provide sound bites like Dale Sr., Kyle Busch, DW, Smoke, or Rusty. As for everything else, get those wins, compete for championships and keep doing what you’re doing Watermelon man 🍉
I used to be a Jimmie Johnson fan. Ever since he stepped away from the 48, I couldn't pick a driver. Until Ross Chastain. The Don'tGiveAFuck tour is rolling baby
im a chase elliot fan and ross won me over as a fan and i hope he keeps this aggressiveness up and not give the agreesiveness up.. the only thing i say he needs to get better is bumping them off without wrecking. he has dale sr type of racing and that is old school racing noone really does that driving enough todays racing. lets go chase elliot and ross chastain.
He got that Dale Sr. aggregation but where dale would give them a chance to get out of his way Ross just drives through them. It would change because his team owner like the results he putting up
I agree with Austin, NASCAR needs him and i believe more drivers like him. Also, i feel there should be more drivers doing podcasts and RUclips. Thanks for the video 😎👍
I like a lot of things about him he's talented will move you but I'm really tired of him just taking out good drivers for no reason. That incident with Larson is a good example he kept forcing Larson up when he was already in the wall there's no room left but kept going.
I'm a Chase Elliott fan. And started not liking him because he crashed Elliott a few times. But then again he makes interesting storylines with his "antics". So I'm in the middle on Ross Chastain
The new intimidator. Put him in a black car and call him “the man in black”. Most of us remember the older, but more mellow Dale Sr. But in his earlier days he was a Chastain.
If he can stop wrecking people every race I wouldn't mind him. Nascar can be bump and grind all day but if you're wrecking people's races (weekends really). I really want a nice aggressive race.. But I want a race not a bunch of wrecked cars that can no longer race.. If I wanted a demolition derby I'd go find a demolition derby to watch.
I mean.. I love Ross.. ever since his days Driving that Plain #15 Black car for Jay Robinson. And that 4 for JD Motorsports Yes he's aggressive but the one thing that gets annoying about him sometimes is that when he gets into it with someone He apologizes for his mistakes over and over and over and over only for him to do it again the next race and Sometimes in life not everyone accepts Apologies that easy.. also idk why do people blame him for that whole Gateway deal happened with chase last season. I feel like that was more on Austin Dillon Making it 3 wide. Not to mention i totally forget sometimes that his Brother races in the truck series since you see the last name. In the banner. Chastain... but its not ross. Its his brother Chad
I love Ross for the same reason I like Verstappen in F1. He’s really good, doesn’t have the personality of a dish rag and it pisses people off and I find that hilarious
As a Verstappen fan, I find him more similar to a Busch Brother. Incredibly talented, if not the best wheel man of the season, but not afraid to speak his mind, and had to do some growing up in the series as he came up very young in a high profile spot. Today Verstappen and the Busch's are very polished versions of their past self, though still not afraid to have bite or bark when necessary. I think its better for F1 than Nascar because Verstappen's personality is very different from your average driver, where in NASCAR, while someone like Chastain is distinct, it isn't as unique, and guys today like Hamlin, Busch, Logano, Wallace, Harvick, etc. will speak their mind.
Chastain is an interesting driver...yes. but he's also careless, taking out drivers by attrition. Witness Larson at Dover. Larson had a winning car and likely could have won the race, but he was taken out by Chastain bumping Poole...who was multiple laps down.
Ross is NOT a little bitch like most drivers today (Old and New) I like him for that. I agree he needs to stop the fake apologies though, that is what hurt Carl Edwards too. Ross needs to take the Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, and Darryl Waltrip attitude about incidents!
I hate chastain. hes in my hate list for sure. And the thing is that its all self inflicted. I could like him better if he just dumped people like logano or forgive him if he made silly mistakes, I could forgive him for the lame apologies and then the way he just skirts by without consequences. the problem is its all of those things together. when he isnt wrecking someone on purpose hes doing it on accident. and its pretty obvious the whole nascar locker room hates him. He's even pissed off his teammate.
Ross Chastain has brought a lot of ppl back to nascar, including myself. NASCAR HAS NEEDED A ROSS CHASTAIN FOR YEARS,!!!!! Maybe Larson should stop crying and looking like a jealous little girl and not try to put Chastain in the wall and Rick Hendricks should watch Larsons BS before runnibg his mouth, ITS CLEAR CHASTAIN IS NOT GOING TO TAKE THAT CRAP FROM ANYONE AND THAT I RESPECT... . If Hendricks wants a BADASS BALLS TO WALL WANTS TO WIN NASCAR DRIVER, maybe he should fire NO BALLS Larson and hire ROSS CHASTAIN.....
Its not really him, that makes me dislike him. Hes not so bad. Its the idiots on the internet comparing him to Sr. Or KB. Sr has five more championships than this guy has wins. They arent in the same stratusphere....
Literally no one compares him to Sr or Kyle win wise...... Racing style, absolutely. Good hard aggressive racing. It's amazing how many people like you can't seem to understand something so simple...
@@reconricky1577 Did Sr use to spin people out on lap 16 for 8th place? Multiple times? Sr moved people for the win on the last lap. He did not punt people for 6th place with 35 to go. Its sad you kids attempt this comparison.
What are your opinions of Ross Chastain?
Modern day dale sr lol
I like him and try to be patient but he's starting to make me question if he can ever grow and develop. I try to maintain hope for him though.
He’s the melon man
Ross has gotten me back into Nascar after really not watching the sport for more than 15 years. No doubt he's makes more than his fair share of mistakes on the track but the dude is just wide open all the time and it's awesome to watch. Also the dude doesn't act like a jerk in his interviews say like a Kyle Busch so in my opinion he's likeable
I don't really like Ross Chastain, cause he's sometimes a wreakfest!!!
He is what NASCAR needs right now. He’s someone that people talk about. As an athlete, it’s very hard to get people talking about you every week and it seems like Chastain has fans in the palm of his hand every single race weekend.
That's a perfect description. He's the cherry on top that makes these races even better. Dude is box office
Ross is the image of how i wish more NASCAR drivers were. Hard as hell, willing to give you the bumper, stands up for himself, races to win the race.
Need more cowboys and a lot less corporate drones
Ross WILL win a championship this year or very soon. He has balls unlike many of these wimpy cry babies these days.
My only problem is he keeps apologizing, dude just needs to own it up and say "hell yeah I wrecked your slow ass"
@@speedracerw30 damn right
If every driver drove like Chastain, we'd have 10+ cars wrecked every race. It would degenerate into a wreckfest with drivers constantly going back and forth with each other.
Ross Chastain is EXACTLY what Nascar needs. He's Mr Excitement every single week.
My new favorite driver.
NASCAR needs more drivers like Ross. He’s one of the few standout personalities to break into NASCAR in the last decade. And he’s also incredibly entertaining to watch, just like that dude in the 42 that he clocked on Sunday.
Love him or hate him, you gotta at least appriciate that the man is a walking highlight reel.
Ross has that Dale Earnhardt style racing that NASCAR needs, but he needs to be able to capitalize at moments when he's not running over people
He sure does give him time like Dale Sr he will be great!
Like it or not he’s absolutely driving NASCAR right now. He’s not the most popular driver like Chase Elliott but he’s here to stay.
I respect Ross for what he is and this is coming from a massive MTJ fan. Drivers like him have that aggression from clawing tooth and nail for every opportunity. I’ve seen it first hand in motocross. And his moves bring back that passion the sports been missing like Jeff Gordon said about his Dega win after fans threw beer cans at him.
That wall ride he did at Martinsville last year was amazing
I’ve been a Ross Chastain fan since 2015 because he’s from my home state/home county, he’s one of the few examples of drivers getting in a great team cuz of talent despite clawing his way to get to the top so many times, he’s got talent and shows he can be a successful driver! He’s a talented driver, but brainless and careless.
I really love seeing Ross Chastain race hard and show his talent, but I don’t like it when he causes crashes or takes our other drivers and such. I’m a fan of his talent, but I hate it when he does cause issues and show no respect. I hate it when favorite racing drivers of mine have their dirty moments and disrespectful moments. I root for them cuz they’re talented and show they can win races and championships, like Will Power, The GOAT!
Other than that, I’m happy to root for Ross. He’s making Lee County proud! :) (except when he’s causing problems)
I’m from Lee county too. He makes us look good in my opinion
Ross Chastain is that one kid that bullies everyone on the playground but then is an angel in front of the adults 💀
💀
Hopefully the kind of kid who one day looks back and regrets his actions lol
It's like he is Dr jakel off track but Mr Hyde on the track💀
Yeah it’s kinda infuriating like he should just own up to it
💀
Ross Chastain is what the sport needs right now. Everytime he's mentioned, he's involved in something, EVERYONE talks about it. Numbers go up. Social media goes up.
Ross Chastain has grinded his way to where he is today. From Stacey Compton taking a chance on him over a decade ago, getting shafted with the DC Solar ordeal, working hard wherever he goes. Is he probably overaggressive on track? Probably, but so was Dale Sr. at times. The agrression comes from him clawing his way in the lower ranks, and we need that in a sea of bland personalities (cause godforbid someone breathes the wrong way according to NASCAR).
I've been a fan of Chastain ever since when he drove for BKR in the truck series, I like that he's aggressive and doesn't * bleep * around. I love his celebration with the watermelon smash because it's funny. He's had to get his way up to the cup series, not fed on a silver platter like most of them. When Ross wins, I'm excited to heck. Hopefully he can win sometime this year?
We need to at least respect that he is one of the most interesting drivers in the sport. The fact that he isn’t well known out of the Nascar sphere is idiotic because he could bring in new fans.
Ross Chastain has been the best thing to happen to NASCAR in a decade. He’s the perfect juxtaposition to the new generation of baby face nepo-baby drivers like Chase Elliot and the Dillons. A guy that comes in to every race and drives like his job depends on it. That will do anything to win, and won’t back down to the old guard teams like Hendrick and JGR. Ross and Trackhouse emerged right as my interest in the sport began to wane. Now, I’m back to watching every race, and loving it. All hail the melon farmer.
When I raced cars and motorcycles I heard all the same shit as what people whine about over Ross Chastain, people dislike someone that has confidence in themselves and aren't afraid to get closer to the edge than anyone else.
Ross is my favorite driver since around his win at Talladega last year. My original fav was Dale Sr when I was a kid, then Dale Jr. I went the last several years without a fav but Ross is hitting all the spots. Ross Chastain - Bustin' Jaws and Breaking Laws!
Chastain does make things more interesting, and he certainly has his good moments and a good story, but when he gets into with people, it is just at stupidly frustrating times, and sometimes for no good reason at all. You could say his first win at COTA was a precurser to his reputation, since he junked two car on his way to win, one (Bowman) who did him no wrong but was in the crossfire of Dinger. The win is on the line that lap, so you can say there was good reason for it, though anything but clean. The entirety of Gateway was just garbage from him. He and Truex at Dover 2022 wasn't really clean either, as Truex wrecked because of a very late block that upset Truex's car. Him and Truex again at Atlanta 2, obviously more incidents with Hamlin. Him and Blaney at one race. Him and Kyle Busch I believe. Those are just the 2022 incidents that I remember off the top of my head.
People want to compare him to Sr., but Sr. got flack for this too back in the day. He was booed at Charlotte a few times, his home race. Booed at Bristol after Rattling Terry's cage. Started the chain of events at Atlanta 1992 that lead to the end of Davey Allison's season, for no good reason at all, on lap 2. People that want good racing, regardless of era, don't like to see one guy junk cars for no reason. People rather see side by side racing to the line than a guy wrecking or spinning another guy before the line. It's this mentality for many fans is why Chastain is more frustrating than entertaining. Rather than the Sr. comparison, he actually reminds me more of a younger Keselowski, 2009-2014. Keselowski, especially in 2014, was making many veterans mad for absolute dumb reasons. The two big ones for him were Charlotte 2014, when he drove Hamlin dirty, sideswiped Kenseth on pitroad postrace when Kenseth's belts were off, and rear ended Steward after that. Then Texas the incident between him and Gordon. You could say the door was open, but it was smarter to stay behind Johnson and possibly shoot low if he got off the bottom. Going to the middle was stupid because the hole was still small and it could've damaged his tire instead of Gordon's. Not to mention Harvick was sick of him too that race. While the incidents are different, the bad decision making makes it feel like Keselowski and Chastain is a better comparison.
Down the road he will be remembered more fondly for his best moments as well as what hes overcome, but right now outside of Denny Hamlin he is the most divisive driver in Cup right now, and will be until he cleans it up. You can still be exciting without being dirty. Kurt Busch and Kyle Larson proved it last year at Kansas. Of course you have the hail melon. You had the Atlanta finish this year. Watkins Glen has had plenty exciting but fair battles. Jimmy Spencer was named Mr. Excitement not really because of his on and off track scuffles, but because he had the closest win in history the year electronic timing and scoring was implemented. Like I said before, people tend to like these moments better, especially today. He will get there, but he is going to have to endure the wrath of a good part of the fanbase for now.
Big fan! He is aggressive, as he should be. These other drivers are too corporate.
I personally like him a lot. In my opinion, NASCAR needs more aggressive drivers to make it more interesting. He is a breath of fresh air. I will admit that he does take it too far sometimes. PLEASE DONT FLAME ME IN THE REPLIES
He knows exactly what hes doing. Notice him sit back just so slightly on every restart. Hes on the edge of the rules, and principles. I like him but also hate him.
Whatever way you cut it, Ross is a gripping engima. Acts like he doesn't know the rules but crushing it. Either he is brillant or the luckiest hack to hit the track. Drivers can't stand him because he thinks and acts for himself, doesn't bow to pedigree and partly because his ready apologies dilute their frustrations of intent. Does he or doesn't he know exactly what he's doing? That's what I find most captivating.
Well said!
I'm a fan of clean driving style, probably influenced by watching F1 for over a decade. It was only last year that I gave NASCAR a try. My stereotype of NASCAR was all about bumping and rubbing, so discovering clean drivers like Chase Elliott made me really happy.
I can tolerate Ross Chastain's aggressive and daring driving style because the current playoff format in NASCAR sometimes forces drivers to do whatever it takes to win. However, regardless of how friendly and kind he may be off the track, his repeated lack of respect and casual apologies after making mistakes on the track are the reasons I can't support him.
Where I don’t share it, I really appreciate this opinion!
I feel that hes gonna take over for Kyle Busch who was the one always being hated and being the villian, byt Kyle has moved from those days nowadays and is just a very grizzled veteran lol, meanwhile Chastain is coming up and getting everyone angry, becoming the villian, so i love him for it
I always hated Kyle more for his shitty attitude and whininess than his actions on the track. If he'd had a better attitude I would've rooted for him his entire career. His performance wasn't why Hendrick fired him. Ross definitely has a similar driving style, but he doesn't get out of the car and blame everyone else for his performance like Kyle, Denny and so many other have their entire careers.
👆🏼This 100%!! I have never denied Kyle Busch being an immensely talented driver, the man has amazing talent, but the ‘3 year old having a fit in the sandbox’ attitude is what kept me from being able to respect and follow him. Ross may drive you hard, sometimes too hard, but he owns it when he does.
@@reconricky1577 well he's mocked yall for him getting into larson at Chicagoland remember? Lmaooo
@@reconricky1577 but true
You will never get less than 100 from Ross.
Good or bad as it may turn out,but history remembers the bold.
I don't agree with everything he does,but respect the hell out of the man for staying hungry.
In my opinion, I love Ross Chastain. He's bringing back that old school bumping and banging style of driving.
One thing for certain: Chastain has made Nascar FUN again.
Fans want drivers who have personality and then when kfb or Chastain or Elliott or others show some personality fans say they're just whining or being stupid I love nascar , but man the fan base is some of the most bipolar groups I've ever seen , Chastain is an awesome
He's something new. He races the way he wants to and won't back down because of it. That's something you rarely see nowadays.
NASCAR should make Ross, employee of the month. They should make one of those cheesy, employee of the month portraits, with a smiling Ross Chastain, wearing his name badge, and hang one in everybody's garage area!!
Anyone have a link to that interview with Chastain on the farm with the 42 car?
I grew up watching NASCAR in 05- to now. This is what nascar is missing personalities from drivers. Look how Kyle bush became a villain in nascar.
After not paying any attention to the sport since early childhood (my only view into the sport was my first ever best friend & Nascar 04' & 05' games) I got really into it & started watching full seasons in 2020. I struggled to find a driver I resonated with until the last lap at COTA last year. Ross captivated my attention & I'm not looking back. Been a wild ride but I'm a Chastain fan through & through. Love him or loathe him he's defintely spiced up the sport 🔥
I like Ross because he'll do anything to race hard. He thinks outside the box and regardless of his "only two wins" he's up front pretty much every week threatening for a win. Kyle Busch has spent his entire career racing in a similar style and a horrible attitude. Has Kyle every gotten this much focus from the media and other drivers with everyone on the track blaming him for everything? Nope. Unlike Kyle, Ross doesn't cry about everything and blame everyone else. I never cared for his obviously fake apologies after incidents, but if you paid any attention this week.....he didn't apologize....at all. And he didn't need to. I think he's had enough of the BS and everyone blaming him for everything, especially when he didn't even touch them (Noah).
I only love Ross he gets no hate from me. He is out there racing for himself only and there is nothing wrong with that. Fuck those other guys! 😂
ROSS CHASTIN lives rent free in every other Cup driver's head.
Though I would never compare Chastain to the late Dale Sr. I see him No different than Sr. was back in the day. Very Blue collar, very relaxed, and also genuine. Without wanting to be Sr. himself, he is the modern day intimidator. Just think about it for a bit race fans.... Honestly (coming from a Chase Elliott fan). Chastain will be the driver (if he plays his role the same way) to become the most loved or hated driver in NASCAR. He is the kind of guy that by the skin of his teeth will win at any cost. No he doesn't have the championships under his belt, and his accolades are few and far in-between, but he truly is the making of something interesting that we haven't seen in a long while. He finally strike a great deal with Trackhouse and actually starts to perform for the team. A new team with large ambitions to be great. He is consistently in the top 5 or 10 if not taking the whole pie, and he makes moments happen on track that we haven't seen for some time. He takes risks, and truly drives the damn car like he stole it. Everyone has a reason to hate Chastain for the way he drives (including me), but you cannot deny that he is the man that NASCAR has been looking for, for some time now. He is what he is and isn't apologetic about it. This man spent years racing, never once thinking he was going to be a serious contender and now look at him. He is reckless, he is ambitious, he is borderline insane.......... But seriously..... Was Dale Sr. truly any different? I grew up a Gordon fan, so naturally, I disliked Dale, but that is because I preferred a certain style of driver to be my liking.... Hence why I am an Elliott fan, even though Elliott is softer than Gordon was in ways, but I can respect what Dale was as a man, and what he tried to accomplish, same as I can sort of respect Chastain for his road to greatness. This guy has grit, has ambitions, and is talented. Though I don't like how he drives..... I don't always hate it either. The only thing Chastain needs right now in his career, is his own Jeff Gordon. Someone who has skill, and drives with great talent, but also won't take his shit and is willing to play the cards they are dealt with, with zeal and carisma different from Chastain. I personally, don't know where I stand with Chastain. Loved him 4 years ago, then hated him. Loved him two years ago, then hated him. Those conflicting feelings are what change racing and revolutionize who WE are as a sport. He brings something to the table no matter what you think of him. Not even someone as controversial as Kyle Busch has been able to create such an interest in todays times. while KB is considered the villain to most, Chastain creates a vail in which even the good in this story can't tell if they side with him or not, and that is what makes this interesting. I am glad to see Chastain on the grid, even if he takes my driver out in some dumbshit and has me seething from his actions. IMO, he is the closest we have had to the late Dale since he himself passed away, but in a different tone, one that is more relative to our time now in this sport.
That’s it- This comment wins. 100% wins. I hope Eric E sees this one. I can’t even- 🎤 💥
I laugh my ass off every time I see the Hail Melon! That's an all time classic!
Love the man!! He is the best thing to happen to NASCAR
Ross Chastain is comparable to Darth Vader: The Villain you gotta love
He threw a good punch when "tough guy" grabbed his uniform & started pushing.
Ross "Blue Shell" Chastain
I’m a Denny fan and I think Ross is the best heel in the sport.
Interesting
Drives like Dale Sr. In his rookie years he will become one of the best!
Ross is a true racer. I lost interest in racing after Dale passed but Ross has peaked my interest in racing again.
Ross is the new age Dale Earnhardt. The driver who everyone loathes with his no holds barred racing style.
NASCAR fans: We need more characters in the sport
Chastain actually showing some character and generating buzz
Fans: No, not like that..
Ross Chastain is one of my favorites.
I have liked Chastain since he was 18, driving part time for Stacy Compton in trucks. When he got that shot with Ganassi in 2018, he became my favorite overall driver, if he had won or not. (I like Hamlin and Kyle Busch too)
As a Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Kyle Busch fan, I absolutely love Ross Chastain. The only thing I dislike about Ross, is Ross not owning it as the villain role like my two all time favorites (Dale Earnhardt Sr. and Kyle Busch) did, and the fact that he doesn’t win much. Other than that, I absolutely love his aggressive take no prisoners driving style. I’ll say this, as of right now, Kyle Larson is who I’m considering being my next favorite driver (once Kyle Busch retires). However, if Ross gets to where he’s winning consistently, continues to drive aggressive, and eventually wins a championship or maybe even multiple, he’ll definitely become my next favorite once Rowdy retires. Now some might ask, why do you say that? Because if you look at my top 5 personal all time favorite NASCAR drivers (1. Dale Earnhardt, 2. Kyle Busch, 3. Darrell Waltrip, 4. Tony Stewart, and 5. Rusty Wallace), then it’s not hard to figure out why I like Ross Chastain. I can’t even get mad when he gets into it with KFB, because honestly, I’d do the same thing (if I was talented enough to be a NASCAR driver for a good team). Aggressive driving, willing to use the bumper if it means winning the race, doesn’t care if fans boo you or not, that’s what I look for in the drivers I root for. And that’s why I base my future favorite driver off of my top 5 all time favorite drivers. Oh yeah, before I forget, the last and final thing I don’t like about Ross is he doesn’t provide sound bites like Dale Sr., Kyle Busch, DW, Smoke, or Rusty. As for everything else, get those wins, compete for championships and keep doing what you’re doing Watermelon man 🍉
I used to be a Jimmie Johnson fan. Ever since he stepped away from the 48, I couldn't pick a driver. Until Ross Chastain. The Don'tGiveAFuck tour is rolling baby
As a Busch brothers fan....
....I like Ross Chastain, he's probably my favorite driver to come into the Cup series in the last 6-8 years
I love Chastain, he is such a charismatic guy with some bold moves!
I hate Chastain, since he picks fights with the most toxic drivers/fanbases
Chastain has definitely kept it interesting. Love him or hate him, he's got you tuning in. I just need the hollow apologies to stop.
Why nascar fans love chastain-He drives aggressively
Why nascar fans hate chastain-he apologizes EVERY time.
Chastain is what the sport needs. His driving style reminds me of Dale sr. Though he ain’t Dale. He is coming in his own way.
Been a fan of him since the gnassi xfinity days and I’m so glad he has risen to where he is now!
im a chase elliot fan and ross won me over as a fan and i hope he keeps this aggressiveness up and not give the agreesiveness up.. the only thing i say he needs to get better is bumping them off without wrecking. he has dale sr type of racing and that is old school racing noone really does that driving enough todays racing. lets go chase elliot and ross chastain.
Yes, I'm a fan of Ross Chastain. He is a racer. He is probably the most calculating driver on the track. Brilliant.
He got that Dale Sr. aggregation but where dale would give them a chance to get out of his way Ross just drives through them. It would change because his team owner like the results he putting up
Chastain brought me back to this sport after not following it since Earnhardt Sr.
May seem funny but I never ate a single watermelon until Ross Chastain came into the Cup Series. Now I love eating watermelons 🍉 because of him.
I can’t even lie, once Harvick retires at the end of this year, I think Chastain will be my new favorite.
Chastain brings the frenzy and excitement back to NASCAR whether good or bad
Drivers have honestly had enough. When Mr. Hendrick makes a statement about your driving you've done fd up
I agree with Austin, NASCAR needs him and i believe more drivers like him. Also, i feel there should be more drivers doing podcasts and RUclips. Thanks for the video 😎👍
I like a lot of things about him he's talented will move you but I'm really tired of him just taking out good drivers for no reason. That incident with Larson is a good example he kept forcing Larson up when he was already in the wall there's no room left but kept going.
I root for RFK, Ryan Newman, an Ross Chastain
I'm a Chase Elliott fan. And started not liking him because he crashed Elliott a few times. But then again he makes interesting storylines with his "antics". So I'm in the middle on Ross Chastain
I wanna see how bad someone wants to win….tired of the “good guy” or nice guys”…show me some hunger and attitude
Ross is exposing all these spoiled baby kids driving, he’s old school, love it
The new intimidator. Put him in a black car and call him “the man in black”. Most of us remember the older, but more mellow Dale Sr. But in his earlier days he was a Chastain.
If he can stop wrecking people every race I wouldn't mind him. Nascar can be bump and grind all day but if you're wrecking people's races (weekends really). I really want a nice aggressive race.. But I want a race not a bunch of wrecked cars that can no longer race.. If I wanted a demolition derby I'd go find a demolition derby to watch.
he is saving NASCAR LMFAO!
he crazy like that. simple as.
I like Ross. This is exactly what NASCAR needs. He's fighting to win. These other kids need to nut up and drive their cars.
I don’t watch NASCAR but I love this guy lol
Jr fans were always so childish in their hatred for Rowdy
Earnhardt Nation in general are annoying
Eh, Chastain does what Chastain does. The inner machinations of his mind are en enigma
I love him. He’s a great racer.
Hamlin will always be hated by me along with all Toyota drivers excluding LCM because I have no problems with them yet
I mean.. I love Ross.. ever since his days Driving that Plain #15 Black car for Jay Robinson. And that 4 for JD Motorsports
Yes he's aggressive but the one thing that gets annoying about him sometimes is that when he gets into it with someone He apologizes for his mistakes over and over and over and over only for him to do it again the next race and Sometimes in life not everyone accepts Apologies that easy.. also idk why do people blame him for that whole Gateway deal happened with chase last season. I feel like that was more on Austin Dillon Making it 3 wide. Not to mention i totally forget sometimes that his Brother races in the truck series since you see the last name. In the banner. Chastain... but its not ross. Its his brother Chad
Ross is a complete “Mad Lad” and I love everything about the guy.
Reason i like him? He's a true race car driver
I love Ross for the same reason I like Verstappen in F1. He’s really good, doesn’t have the personality of a dish rag and it pisses people off and I find that hilarious
As a Verstappen fan, I find him more similar to a Busch Brother. Incredibly talented, if not the best wheel man of the season, but not afraid to speak his mind, and had to do some growing up in the series as he came up very young in a high profile spot. Today Verstappen and the Busch's are very polished versions of their past self, though still not afraid to have bite or bark when necessary. I think its better for F1 than Nascar because Verstappen's personality is very different from your average driver, where in NASCAR, while someone like Chastain is distinct, it isn't as unique, and guys today like Hamlin, Busch, Logano, Wallace, Harvick, etc. will speak their mind.
Chastain is an interesting driver...yes. but he's also careless, taking out drivers by attrition. Witness Larson at Dover. Larson had a winning car and likely could have won the race, but he was taken out by Chastain bumping Poole...who was multiple laps down.
He was decent after Darlington
Ross is my favorite driver
Love Chastain!
I think Ross Chastain will win at Darlington on Sunday
Ross is NOT a little bitch like most drivers today (Old and New) I like him for that. I agree he needs to stop the fake apologies though, that is what hurt Carl Edwards too. Ross needs to take the Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace, and Darryl Waltrip attitude about incidents!
Nickname ideas
Wild thang
The aggressor
The initiator
The melonator
Ross is solid!
I don't like Ross only because he drives way to aggressive for my taste. I like aggressive driving but not how he drives.
He's just gotta stop apologizing. That's my only issue with him.
I watch because the farm boy makes it happen.
Chastain can by new intemidator?
I think so.
I hate chastain. hes in my hate list for sure. And the thing is that its all self inflicted. I could like him better if he just dumped people like logano or forgive him if he made silly mistakes, I could forgive him for the lame apologies and then the way he just skirts by without consequences. the problem is its all of those things together. when he isnt wrecking someone on purpose hes doing it on accident. and its pretty obvious the whole nascar locker room hates him. He's even pissed off his teammate.
Ross Chastain has brought a lot of ppl back to nascar, including myself. NASCAR HAS NEEDED A ROSS CHASTAIN FOR YEARS,!!!!! Maybe Larson should stop crying and looking like a jealous little girl and not try to put Chastain in the wall and Rick Hendricks should watch Larsons BS before runnibg his mouth, ITS CLEAR CHASTAIN IS NOT GOING TO TAKE THAT CRAP FROM ANYONE AND THAT I RESPECT... . If Hendricks wants a BADASS BALLS TO WALL WANTS TO WIN NASCAR DRIVER, maybe he should fire NO BALLS Larson and hire ROSS CHASTAIN.....
Clow needs to be booted back to go karts unit he can learn to drive
Its not really him, that makes me dislike him. Hes not so bad. Its the idiots on the internet comparing him to Sr. Or KB. Sr has five more championships than this guy has wins. They arent in the same stratusphere....
Literally no one compares him to Sr or Kyle win wise...... Racing style, absolutely. Good hard aggressive racing. It's amazing how many people like you can't seem to understand something so simple...
@@reconricky1577
Did Sr use to spin people out on lap 16 for 8th place? Multiple times? Sr moved people for the win on the last lap. He did not punt people for 6th place with 35 to go. Its sad you kids attempt this comparison.
@@reconricky1577 I'm pretty sure Dale or Kyle never rearended a car that's 3 laps down on lap 80 of 400.
@@zt5547 No he just takes out championship contenders in other series then blames them.
@@chasejordan22 you need to go back and watch more than just the highlight reels of Sr then... Not my fault you're a noob.