Ross Chastain – Coney Dog Virgin? I’m Shocked
How’s that for a headline? Ross Chastain: coney dog virgin. We caught up with Ross as he prepares for a visit to Michigan International Speedway, and the first thing I brought up was turn two at the track in Brooklyn.
Turn Two at MIS
Over the years I’ve been fortunate to watch races at MIS from on top of the suites by pit lane (I’m in radio, so they don’t allow us inside the suites…lol). And during that time I wound watching the exit from turn two onto the backstretch – Kurt Busch told me how tricky that corner is to get right (he’s danced with the wall a couple of times). If you get it right, you’ll blow past folks heading towards turn 3…get it wrong and they’re waving bye bye.
It’s an interesting component to NASCAR that we don’t talk enough about – the relationship between the driver and the team. Trust. Yeah, I know “Days of Thunder” addressed it…and they were onto something. There’s an incredible level of trust when it comes to driving at track like MIS – speeds at 200mph are hard enough, but the confidence necessary to send that car towards that corner and hold the racing line – there’s a fine line that all race car drivers walk on. It’s hard for us to understand what it’s really like. But if you ever doubt the talent and commitment of the men and women on these teams, go to MIS and watch turn two.
Ross Chastain Coney Dog Virgin
Now this all started with IndyCar Driver Santino Ferrucci, who told he’d never had Detroit style pizza (he’s a New Haven guy – probably follows Dave Portnoy..lol) So I figured Ross Chastain, being a Chevy driver, would’ve done at least one appearance at a Coney here in Detroit and had a dog. But no. And he looked at me like “what are you talking about? What’s a coney dog?”. I got a funny feeling i’m making a road trip to Brooklyn with a bunch of coneys.
The IROC Fantasy Five
This is my new question to ask NASCAR drivers – I’ve noticed Ray Evernham bringing back IROC cars and started thinking about the idea of a “Fantasy Five”. You can get out on the track with five drivers – past or present, living or dead. Who do you want to run against and see how good you really are. We put the question to Ross (it’s towards the end of the interview).
Here’s my five:
- Dale Earnhardt: Especially at MIS…he loved that track and was a maniac. Plus it’s Dale. Earnhardt.
- Richard Petty: To see The King in his prime on the track would be worth the price of admission.
- Cale Yarbough: I loved watching Cale drive (I think Ross has some of that attitude in him). Cale never backed down from anyone and would make it even wilder out there.
- Tony Stewart: If we’re gonna create chaos with these drivers, gotta have smoke out there.
- David Pearson: As much as I love Richard and Dale, the Silver Fox was just too cool for the room. Seeing that 21 on the track was a thing of beauty – and his driving style was on par with anyone ever.
Ross Chastain – Understand The Man
Ross isn’t for everyone, I get that. But I root for him. He’s had to work his ass to get to where he is, and if that “I’m gonna fight for it” attitude spills out onto the track sometimes…that’s okay. NASCAR is all about fighting for what’s yours – the legends were built by not taking shit from anyone (you think Richard Petty put up with Pearson? Not a chance. They just settled things in a trailer and not in front of everyone).
NASCAR at it’s best is a passion sport. And Ross Chastain is part of what makes its fun. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got to get him a coney dog.
