Since joining Trackhouse Racing at the start of the Next Gen era in 2022,

Ross Chastain has been nothing short of a revelation. Consistently making the playoffs and even clinching a spot in the Championship Four, Chastain quickly proved he was a force to be reckoned with for the relatively new team. But 2023 hasn’t been as kind to the ‘Melon Man.’ Despite leading at one point during the Darlington race, his older tires couldn’t hold up, forcing him to settle for a P5 finish—when he needed nothing short of a win to qualify for the playoffs.

Post-race, Chastain remained candid about his performance. “It needed a lot. It needed more throughout the season. Here tonight, we got it better and continued to work on it,” he said, acknowledging the uphill battle he’s faced this season.

Though briefly disheartened, Chastain’s upbeat, carefree personality quickly resurfaced. Known for his roots as an 8th-generation watermelon farmer, Chastain has earned the nickname ‘Melon Man’ for his love of the fruit and often shares hilarious videos smashing and celebrating with watermelons. However, this time, Chastain took fans by surprise in a completely different way. Recently, he participated in a marathon at Charlotte Speedway, and the photo that surfaced after the race left fans in disbelief. Many couldn’t help but call out Chastain for pulling off the “unthinkable”—but exactly what he did remains a mystery that has fans buzzing!

Ross Chastain’s look has everyone shocked

Ross Chastain recently laced up his running shoes for the MRO (Motor Racing Outreach) “Bump ‘n’ Run” 5K marathon at the iconic Charlotte Motor Speedway. This isn’t just any race—it’s a rare chance for participants to run on the same high banks and long stretches where NASCAR legends have made history. According to the event’s website, participants could enjoy not just the thrill of the race, but also a tailgate party featuring live music, mouthwatering food, and a fireworks display to cap off the night.

Among the 470 participants, Chastain wasn’t the only NASCAR driver to hit the pavement. Fellow drivers Grant Enfinger, Zane Smith, and Rajah Caruth also took part in the marathon, but all eyes were on the ‘Melon Man’ himself. Chastain crossed the finish line in 16th place, proudly posing with his completion medal afterward. But while his medal caught the light, it was his face that truly stole the show. A photo that quickly made the rounds on Reddit revealed a clean-shaven Chastain, shocking fans who could barely recognize him without his signature scruffy beard.

For many, that beard had become symbolic of Chastain’s bold, aggressive driving style—the very style that led to his dominance in 2022. Who could forget his infamous victory at COTA, where an overtime move sent Allmendinger and Bowman into chaos, allowing Chastain to power his No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro to victory? Or the legendary, now-illegal “Hail Melon” wall ride that will forever be etched in NASCAR lore?

Now, with his smooth face, Chastain seems to have shed not just the beard, but the wild persona fans have come to associate with him. Fans, of course, didn’t let the opportunity slip by to poke fun at his new look, joking that without his scruff, the ‘Melon Man’ might just lose his edge. Only time will tell if the beardless Chastain can still bring that same fire to the track!

Fans critic Chastain’s beardless look

A beardless Ross Chastain is not the #1 fans know. Imagine Chastain doing the ‘Hail Melon,’ Scraping through the outside wall at Martinsville Speedway to qualify for the Championship 4. After that epic move-out comes a clean-shaven Chastain. It’s unimaginable since attributes like a beard are signs of ruggedness, encapsulating the wild-west times of NASCAR. That’s why fans love Chastain. A fan was shellshocked by seeing his looks. He wrote, “Ross what are you doing” Another one felt the same way as he took a sarcastic gibe at the track house racer. The fan wrote, “My eyes.”

Chastain came into this season after a splendid last one, where he bagged two wins and reached the round of 12. The #1 was hopeful that 2024 could be the year he again fought for the championship. But his poor runs this year have kept him out of the final 16. A fan drew a parallel of bread with him missing out on the playoffs this season. The fan wrote, “No playoffs, no beard” 

Continuing the mocking fest, a fan wrote, “Most people shave and look younger. Ross shaved and looks older.” Another fan has a snarky comment. It must have even had Ross Chastain confused. The fan wrote, “He looks like a watermelon farmer” Chastain has always proudly celebrated his watermelon ancestry. He is known for his celebratory move where he smashes a watermelon. So finally attaining the look of a watermelon farmer would be a compliment for the #1. What do you think of his look? Should he keep it clean or bring the beard back? Let us know in the comments below.