From Watermelon Farms to Winning the Ally 400: How Ross Chastain Embodies Nashville’s Emerging Racing Culture

Trackhouse Racing star Ross Chastain is not your regular NASCAR driver, far from it. Breaking on the NASCAR Cup Series scene, Chastain has certainly been one of the most unique characters the sport has seen. Although his aggressive style of racing speaks volumes about his character, the unique celebration of smashing watermelons truly sets him apart.

While the celebration does catch the eye of the spectators, in reality, Ross Chastain had no plans to compete in NASCAR. Going by his very own words, “I was gonna be a watermelon farmer. That’s what I was gonna do.” Thankfully, he did not embark on the road. But what made him take up racing as his career, and when did he learn that he was destined to race in NASCAR and not farm watermelons?

Chastain’s rise in NASCAR is a result of his hardships and struggles

Most NASCAR drivers come from wealthy households that can support their passion for racing, while a few others have the backing of family. Ross Chastain was unlike any other driver in the garage, he came from a humble beginning with a background in watermelon farming. However, at the age of 12, he quickly understood that he was passionate about racing and started his grind to make it to NASCAR.

“Once I started racing at 12 years old, that’s where the light turned on. I want to be a race car driver. I want to beat the guys that I’ve watched. I want to race against them and beat them.” Chastain said this via FOX 8 News. When he first started racing in the NASCAR Truck Series, it was the watermelon industry that supported his races with the finances, and while he chose racing as his career option, he was never away from his traditional roots.

This was evident from his standout race-winning celebration. However, at the Cup level, the Alva native was unable to get a breakthrough season that could put him on the map. But his wishes soon came true as he landed with the newly formed team, Trackhouse Racing. And next thing you know, the melon man started smashing the melons after picking up wins one by one in the premier division of stock car racing.

The first season was a huge success, winning the championship 4 and bagging two race wins. But the next season, in 2023, is where he turned it up a notch. He bagged his first win of the season at Nashville Speedway, securing his playoff run. But his hail-mary move at Martinsville was truly the stuff from video games, one that granted him an entry into Championship 4 once again.

While his smashing of watermelon might look flashy, there’s a story behind his picturesque celebration.

Watermelon: A lucky charm for the No. 1 chevy and team

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The tradition started back in 2018 when he won races in the Xfinity Series when he won a race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. But this celebration is significant as it reminds the driver and his team to compete for wins. Usually, before a race weekend, his truck driver buys groceries for the hauler, and watermelon is the permanent item on that grocery list.

“My guys know what that means, too. It’s not just a watermelon sitting there. It’s a symbol of our goal, which is to win.” However, so far in the 2024 Cup Series season, he hasn’t performed at the level where he could celebrate a win in typical Ross Chastain fashion. But the good news for the Trackhouse Racing star is that he is headed to the Nashville Superspeedway this weekend as a defending race champion.

By no means has his season been bad; it’s just that the No. 1 Chevy isn’t running up front in the field, competing for races. With a mix of different race tracks and venues in the last seven races of the regular season, this might open a door for Ross Chastain to grab his vital win, one that would secure his playoff qualification.