Ross Chastain’s journey with Trackhouse Racing has been one of growth, transformation, and success. Since joining the team in 2022, Chastain has gone from being a midfield driver fighting for points to a legitimate championship contender. With five wins in three seasons and a career-best second-place finish in the 2022 championship standings, Chastain has cemented himself as one of NASCAR’s rising stars.
“Evolve or die”: Chastain’s philosophy for success
Chastain has fully embraced the pressure and expectations that come with being a top-tier driver for Trackhouse Racing. In a recent interview, he reflected on how both he and his team have evolved to meet the demands of competing at the highest level.
“I’m definitely not the same person I was last year. I’m definitely not the same person I was a few years ago, and same with the team. They’re not the same,” Chastain said. “We’re in a competition business, so it’s evolve or die as far as being competitive.”
This mindset has driven Chastain and his team to continuously improve, adapting to the challenges of battling for wins and championships rather than just top-10 finishes.
Becoming the “Busch Light guy” and a fan favorite
Chastain’s growing success has also elevated his profile off the track. As the face of Busch Light and the No. 1 car in NASCAR, he’s embraced his role as a fan favorite.
“Like, I’m the Busch Light guy. Year two now, and embracing driving the No. 1 car in NASCAR—it’s normal. We’re gonna hopefully do this for a long time,” Chastain said, highlighting his confidence in his career trajectory.
Transforming into a fit and focused competitor
A key component of Chastain’s evolution has been his commitment to physical fitness. Through Chevrolet’s Wise Optimization program, led by former racer Josh Wise, Chastain has overhauled his approach to training.
“If you opt-in, then you can be in Josh’s program and work it through Chevy,” Chastain explained. “He’s gotten me to a point where I cycle and run, and got me down to a 5:30 mile…When I met Josh, I could run, like, a 7-minute mile, and I’ve crept it down.”
Now 31, Chastain takes pride in his fitness journey, seeing it as another way to gain an edge on the competition.
Aiming for redemption in 2025
After narrowly missing out on the playoffs in 2024, Chastain is focused on making a strong comeback in 2025. With his dedication to improvement both on and off the track, the star driver is poised to take his performance to the next level and deliver the results expected of a championship contender.
Trackhouse Racing’s evolution under Chastain’s leadership, combined with his relentless work ethic, makes him a formidable competitor. The 2025 season is shaping up to be a pivotal chapter in Chastain’s already impressive career.