Whether you like him or not, he has been purposely smashed and dumped, multiple times by HMS drivers, and just all across the board. Bowman not even trying to hide it, purposely wrecked him, so Chase wouldn't have to worry about a close finish. I mean he sprinted to the 9 car, like a dog that just did something he thinks he would be proud of lol. Larson dumped him last week, and the list goes on. He's taking it all in stride without complaint, and seemingly not driving as hard this year, almost driving as to not be noticed hanging around 19th-5th position. Normally he races for the win, and that's what people really like about him, not that sometimes he is careless and causes an accident, because he's a hard driver and gets tunnel vision, but I feel like he's just taking licks, and not complaining, like it's an initiation. They'll let him into the garage circle, if they get to wreck him, to dumb it down. Basically just letting others race him harder than he is willing to race them. I think he's doing it on purpose, as some sort of apology, but it's going to be a weird playoff if he's not in it.
Does anyone else feel like Ross Chastain, is purposely driving softer/letting others get some kinda "revenge" on him?
I bet that's what Rick Hendrick discussed with him.
lmao no, the reason why he’s been quiet this year is because Trackhouse simply isn’t as fast as they were last year or the year beforehand, it’s not because Ross isn’t driving as hard or whatever
Also Ross has never really complained much about the way other people race him
I think Ross is also racing smarter. He's still probably the best guy at aero-blocking in the field, but he's more aware that he doesn't need to make low probability moves to hold position. That could be, as you said, his cars aren't a good this year, but I think the stability of having a team fully behind him and a sponsor for pretty much the rest of his career takes that chip of his shoulder.
I never said he complained. He just never brings up, THIS SEASON, how he seems to be getting targeted every race. So it's like he's expecting it, it may happen.
Maybe he’s understanding that having drama constantly swirling around you doesn’t help you. Because instead of focusing on the next race, you’re thinking about what you’re going to say to the reporters when they ask about the incident with xyz driver.
He’s also got a bit more job security (to the extent anyone in the Cup series can have) than he did a few years ago. It doesn’t need to be checkers or wreckers each week. And if that’s truly the case, and Ross is seeing that he can play this like it’s chess instead of checkers, than the rest of the field better pray Trackhouse doesn’t start building better cars.
Look, most of us at points in our lives have crossed lines with people and had to eat sh*t in return. Some of us recognize that when that happens, maybe it’s best to just chow down with a smile.
For Ross, he can simply come out at some point and say “I know I made some people mad in the past and I’ve accepted the payback. But I’ve cleaned up my act now, and if people still want to race me like it’s two years ago, then at some point, I’m going to race them like they race me”.
Thank you for the response, sincerely.
You’re quite welcome. Ross needed to tone it down, but it’s not lost on me that the “who does this guy think he is?” attitude towards him is mostly coming from drivers who had gilded paths laid before them to help them rise in the ranks. Not saying they didn’t earn it, they did. But they didn’t have to hack away at it like Ross did. And they’d do well to remember that.
I don't see it as cleaning up his act. More like becoming more calculating/choose your battles.
With all due respect, that’s the same thing.
He can’t say he cleaned it up because he said the convo with Chevy didn’t happen.
You're overthinking it.
Ross will cash in on all of the HMS cars that he can during the playoffs. He's just too smart to say anything about it ahead of time.
I really hope he makes it to the playoffs. My flair only allows for one number, or it would have his up there too. I'm a Truex and Chastain fan. Honestly more of a Chastain fan.
Yeah.
I think it's this. He's getting what he can out of the car and trying to get good finishes without putting himself out of the race. His main objective should be making the playoffs, and then do whatever the hell he wants after he's in.
He clearly wasn't thrilled after last week's crash, but I think he knows not to open up that can of worms with Rick Hendrick now.
he knows that he’s cleaned up his driving after Rick complained and now he has the high ground.
I'd laugh if Justin requested a meeting with one of Rick's drivers.
Lol
Hahahahaha
Not exactly. But he definitely changed after the Hendrick talk. So whatever Rick said to him, must’ve really struck a nerve with Rossy
Rick probably said I've had a guy killed before for less
I came to say something similar
Look at this video on my phone, Ross. Is that your mom in the kitchen right now? I can have people there in 10 minutes, Ross.
I'm not sure it was Rick that made the difference, to be honest. I'm pretty sure Justin Marks knows that Ross needed to clean things up to be championship material, too.
Regardless of what Hendrick actually said to Chastain on that phone call.......at the conclusion I could totally believe Rick whispering into the phone,...... "You'll never need to leave Chevy..... gimme a call". Lmao.
Don’t think he letting drivers walk over him, although I do think hendrick drivers have been wrecking him, but that’s more of a skill issue to me. He definitely toned down the aggression this year, as he knows he’s better off being reliable than trying to prove himself now. Until Sunday he had the second best average finish in the series. Once Trackhouse comes around to building some faster cars, he’s gonna quickly become a championship threat year in and year out.
lol did you really type this out and hit “send”?
Why not And no I used speech to text
There are more important hills to die on so to speak for him, he has a bigtime sponsor, he is part of major marketing campaigns and his car and face are all over now. Stability gives you perspective, and the luxury of racing like you need to. Get all the points you can, get to the playoffs then, go after it. Does he want to win every chance he gets, yeah he does, does he want to give up points before the playoffs no.
what a silly question.
You can definitely tell in interviews that Ross does that he will remember these moments & will get his vengeance one day. Ross is sly & smart. He’s not a pushover. But like the other day at Nashville, Ross was very calm & happy but you could almost tell through his words & smile that he wanted to kill Larson
Chastain is crazy like a fox and I'm here for it.
Oh I didn't mean that he had become a total pushover, I meant just a temporary punching bag. A temporary doormat so to speak. But I don't think he'll deal with that for too long. Although he has seemed too passive all year. Maybe he's waiting for next year.
i still can't believe he let chase elliott move him out of the way in the last corner on the last lap at sonoma, he's definitely changed!
HMS gives Trackhouse the worst engines like an asshole like Rick would.
Makes sense
He's good where he's at. The playing field has leveled as far as competition and he recognizes that. When it's time to get it done, he will no matter the effects. 5 less laps in Nashville and Denny would have seen the wall.
I'm loving these responses, I don't think people realize that I'm not talking bad about Chastain LOL I'm just wondering what's going on this year. I have missed a couple races. But still, had to open up some type of dialogue about it. Nobody is talking about it.
“Larson dumped him last week” no Larson made a mistake trying to push Hamlin off the bottom and Larson clipped the apron which shot him up into Chastain. Context man context.
Context man context.
Kyle Larson, whose fans tout as "the best driver in the world" and who, along with his crew chief and car owner, threw a public temper tantrum about Ross Chastain, dumps him after letting his emotions get the best of him and making a rookie mistake while trying to intentionally run into another driver in a move very similar to the ones in which he publicly berated Chastain for.
Is that enough context?
Lmao it blows my mind people think Larson is SO good
Thank you lol
I'm not talking bad about Larson, it happens. Bowman definitely and intentionally, put him into the wall.
They figured out the car the first year which led to early success. Since then they lost the edge with the car and he’s only won at Nashville which they prioritized as a home track and Phoenix because he was the only guy racing the championship four hard. Ross is a bit overrated in my opinion but people get really upset if you even so much as mention that. To me he’s a playoff caliber driver with 0-2 wins a season.
Thank you for at least answering, with a real answer.
Ross got one of the biggest sponsors in the sport. He is now playing the long game instead of fighting for tomorrow