NASCAR driver Ross Chastain recently shared his struggles with physical exhaustion and his decision not to prepare Spanish language skills ahead of the Mexico City race weekend. Speaking during media engagements in the city, Chastain admitted to feeling off and fatigued since his arrival, revealing he did not attempt to learn Spanish for the trip.
A video shared by Steven Taranto, a NASCAR reporter for CBS Sports, captured Chastain sitting through a press session while fellow driver Daniel Suárez answered questions in Spanish. During the session, Chastain openly stated,
“I am honest with everybody, I didn’t even try.” —Ross Chastain
He further described his physical state, saying,
“I don’t feel very good, I’ll be honest,”
“I have a headache… I just had to run slower at a higher heart rate than normal… I feel tired, I haven’t done a whole lot. I am ready for bed right now.” —Ross Chastain
The video also showed Chastain joking about ending the day early, referring to the need for rest after a “Frosty.” Suárez playfully offered him a Chamoy Frosty from the previous day, but Chastain declined, opting instead for a Baconator.
Chastain Advocates for Greater Recognition of Second and Third Place Finishes
In an interview with NASCAR insider Dustin Long, Ross Chastain discussed his opinion on celebrating podium finishes beyond just the winner. Ahead of the Mexico City event—which will include full podium celebrations for the top three drivers in both the Cup and Xfinity Series—Chastain expressed support for the change.
He pointed out that finishing second or third is an often overlooked accomplishment given the competitiveness in the Cup Series. As Chastain explained,
“I love it. I’ve always been a little disappointed that we don’t celebrate second and third more because it means so much… when you do it repeatedly, it can feel like it’s a letdown, but yes, we all want to win.” —Ross Chastain
He acknowledged that the sport has done a disservice to drivers finishing just behind first place and emphasized,
“Running top three in the Cup Series is so challenging,”
“I think we should have always celebrated it more.” —Ross Chastain
Trackhouse Racing Driver Prepares for Upcoming Mexico City Cup Race
Ross Chastain, who drives the #1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing, has built an impressive NASCAR career with 13 total wins, including six in the Cup Series. His latest victory came earlier this season at Charlotte Motor Speedway. This weekend, he is set to compete in the Cup Series race in Mexico City on Sunday, June 15.
Chastain’s openness about his physical exhaustion and decision to skip Spanish preparation provides insight into the challenges drivers face off the track, especially when competing internationally. With new podium celebrations set to spotlight the achievements of top finishers more broadly, this race weekend in Mexico City could mark a shift in how success is recognized in NASCAR.