The Cup Series drivers’ roster oozes talent. NASCAR’s premier competition has everything from celebrated champions and perennial contenders to exciting rookies. However, one might need to learn the journey behind reaching that level. Netflix’s latest sports docuseries, NASCAR: Full Speed, aims to shed light on the same. Ross Chastain is one of the drivers who has been an active part of the docuseries.
The Trackhouse Racing star has faced a fair share of struggles, dejections, and slumps throughout his career. Previous attempts have covered the on- and off-track lives of NASCAR drivers. But as per Ross Chastain, none of them have been as unfiltered and crude as Netflix’s latest effort. Continuing the creative process of the docuseries, Ross Chastain also revealed how intrusive the cameras had to be to capture glimpses of his daily life off the track.
Ross Chastain knows Netflix has been a class apart
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Before Full Speed, ‘Race for the Championship’ aimed to portray something similar to the latest docuseries. While it did a great job, Netflix is just taking it above by a level. When Netflix released the official teaser trailer for the docuseries two weeks ago, the reaction from the NASCAR community was proof of its anticipation. Some of the excitement has also spread to Ross Chastain. Speaking about what the fans could expect from NASCAR: Full Speed, the #1 Chevrolet driver said, “I think they’ll see that we do anything it takes.
“I’m all in. so whenever I met the group that was going to do it and capture it, it felt different than the other times. I said I’d walk the house with the producer, cameraman, and sound guy. No cameras, just us four. It doesn’t happen.”
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NASCAR: Full Speed drops Jan. 30 on @netflix. pic.twitter.com/qyHPAPjcOL
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 26, 2024
Due to this aspect of the shooting procedure, some drivers, like Joey Logano, were afraid to allow cameras to invade their private spaces. However, with agreements in place, drivers eventually stepped forward to partake in historical documentation of the sport. Ross Chastain believes that the fans must see more than just the racing side.
“I don’t show everything I do online to the world. I don’t want to document my life just to show my highlight reel. But they got the stuff,” stated Chastain.
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The expectations have been high with less than a week left until NASCAR: Full Speed‘s release. There couldn’t have been a better moment for NASCAR to showcase the series, considering the season opener at the LA Coliseum comes soon after the docuseries’s release. If Ross Chastain’s words are anything to go by, the show has encompassed the psychological side of the sport well. As for his journey to NASCAR’s top flight, it has been nothing short of remarkable.
Chastain’s rise to glory in the Cup Series
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The eighth-generation watermelon farmer had only dreamt of racing in the Cup Series from afar. However, capitalizing on the opportunities and growing with time, he has become one of the dark horses in the top flight. The big call-up arrived in 2011 when Ross Chastain replaced Justin Marks in the Truck Series race at the Indianapolis Raceway Park. This marked the start of his career as a full-time driver in NASCAR, as he struck a deal with SS-Green Light Racing the following year. Later, 2012 got him a great debut season, he finished the year with four top-10s and a top-5 finish.
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Two years later, an Xfinity Series opportunity came calling. Viva Motorsports used his talents to provide him with a debut in the second-tier competition. Soon, Ross Chastain’s expertise grew, and in 2015, the Nashville native signed for JD Motorsports as a full-time driver. From racing in Pro Late Models to fighting for the Xfinity Series championship, Chastain’s career has experienced an upward curve and does the same.
In 2017, Ross Chastain got his first big break in the Cup Series. Premium Motorsports gave him a debut at the Dover International Speedway, which resulted in the team bringing him back for the second Dover race of the season. 2018 was a monumental year for the 30-year-old. Chastain earned his first Xfinity win and became a constant presence in the Cup Series despite being a part-time driver. For context, Chastain ran 34 races in the Cup Series despite being a full-time Xfinity Series driver.
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Premium Motorsports wanted Ross Chastain to test the deep waters and promoted him to the Cup Series in a full-time ride due to his splendid growth. Sadly, a slump followed the announcement, and he dropped to the Xfinity Series for 2020. Kaulig Racing proved the perfect team for redemption, as he scored 15 top-fives and 27 top-ten finishes that season. This display of talent materialized a move to Chip Ganassi Racing, which was bought by Justin Marks and Trackhouse Racing soon after.
Since then, Ross Chastain has become a race winner and a consistent name in the playoffs. If his career is anything to go by, it suggests that there is more to come from the Melon Man, and the fans can’t wait to witness his ascension.