Rick Hendrick Accused of ‘Burying’ Ross Chastain’s Real Persona as Fans

Will the real Ross Chastain please stand up? A few years ago, the Trackhouse Racing driver had embraced the role of NASCAR’s ‘bad boy’. From his feud with Denny Hamlin to the many incidents with Kyle Larson, the Florida native didn’t shy away from controversy and became the figurehead fans loved to hate. However, fast forward to the present day and the 32-year-old is a shadow of his former self. Has he mellowed down with age or does Rick Hendrick have something to do with it?

The Hendrick Motorsports team owner had issued a warning to Chastain in 2023 after repeated on-track incidents with Kyle Larson. Despite both the racers driving under the Chevy umbrella, the team owner didn’t mince his words, which may have something to do with a change in the Trackhouse Racing star’s demeanor.

look into Ross Chastain’s tumultuous past

Ross Chastain has been there and done that. While many drivers including Denny Hamlin and Kyle Busch have embraced the ‘villain’ arc over the years, few have perfected it the way the Trackhouse Racing star had. From punching fellow Cup Series driver Noah Gragson in the pits at Kansas Speedway to doing the ‘Hail Melon’ at Martinsville in 2022, Chastain wasn’t afraid of bending the rules whenever he saw fit. However, wrecking Kyle Larson three times in four races took a step too far for Rick Hendrick, who issued a stern warning to the racer.

don’t care if he’s driving a Chevrolet if he wrecks our cars. I don’t care. I’ve told Chevrolet that. If you wreck us, you’re going to get it back. If you don’t do it, they’ll run all over you. I’m loyal to Chevrolet, but when somebody runs over us, then I expect my guys to hold their ground. I’m not going to ask them to yield just because of Chevrolet. He doesn’t have to be that aggressive.”

However, one can say that driving on the edge is what made Chastain a force to be reckoned with. The No. 1 Chevy driver finished the 2022 season runner-up in the drivers’ standings, securing two wins that year and followed that up with a ninth-place finish in 2023. However, his performance has significantly dropped since then, as the racer ended up 19th in the standings in 2024, securing just one win at Kansas Speedway.