“I don’t want to wreck myself,” Ross Chastain breaks silence on his drop in form since Justin Marks confronted his ‘reckless driving’
Ross Chastain hasn’t scored a top-five finish since Justin Marks confronted him about wrecks.
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Ross Chastain (Credits: @NASCAR/Twitter)
The 2022 NASCAR Cup championship runners-up Ross Chastain was one of the most impressive drivers last season. Following his two Cup race wins and consistent runs throughout the season, he left a mark among the fans. So far in the 2023 season, Chastain has been consistent. But unlike his consistency, it was his aggressive driving style that got the spotlight this season.
The first part of 2023 saw Chastain getting into an aggressive on-track battle with Joe Gibbs Racing’s Denny Hamlin. He went on to get involved in aggressive fights with Kyle Larson and Noah Gragson. Things crossed the limit in Darlington as HMS owner Rick Hendrick asked Justin Marks, his Trackhouse counterpart, to speak with his driver. Marks publicly said he would talk with Chastain.
Since the driver has been more conservative than ever, he has limited his aggression on track, and his efforts in limiting such moves have affected his outcome. Chastain was a race-win contender pre-Darlington, but since then, his presence in the pack battling for the win was limited. The No:1 driver has opened up about it and admitted that he changed his style since the talk with Justin Marks.
“Well I think it’s exactly that.. it is the outside and what we do at Trackhouse Racing – say, talk about and plan for is what’s so cool about sports is that we’re enclosed in our own world of 140 men and women, and it’s up to us to go about our business however we see fit. I’m definitely going to learn from Darlington (Raceway),” Chastain said.
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Ross Chastain wants to win races without wrecking rivals
Chastain pointed out that he prioritizes winning races, but being involved in fewer wrecks is also a priority. He added that he took to heart what Justin Marks told him since he is his team owner and a good friend. Chastain pointed out that he is comfortable with the potion he is in right now.
“I want to win races. Whatever I can do to wreck less and win more will definitely be top of mind and priority. I take what people say to heart, though, especially my boss, my owner. The guy that hires me and guides me,” Chastain said.
“He’s a racer himself, so we’ve talked as just racers and buddies just as much as we’ve talked as owner and driver. People can think what they want. I know what our path is, has been, and is currently in what we’re planning, and I’m totally comfortable in the spot we’re in,” Chastain added.
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