Chastain says Hendrick shaped, rather than tamed, his driving

Ross Chastain has said that Rick Hendrick inspired him rather than neutered him during 2023, a period when his aggressive driving style drew criticism from rivals.

Chastain's rise to the NASCAR Cup Series came with a brash approach that brought pushback from his peers. Over 2022 and 2023 he drew the ire of Denny Hamlin and Hendrick Motorsports, with Kyle Larson mentioned among those who criticised him.

The comparison with Carson Hocevar, who has faced similar pushback on his way into the Cup Series, highlights a common pattern for drivers who arrive with an assertive style.