Ross Chastain appreciates pressure, but if it’s not during the playoffs, he at least relishes the chance to do business unhindered by the extra attention and scrutiny that come with competing for a title.
The absence of media attention just allowed the No. 1 team to focus on problems without the distraction that is currently surrounding Suarez and the No. 99 crew. Chastain and Trackhouse went through a really painful summer lull.
Chastain remarked, “We want to let all of y’all in.” We wish for you to be able to see and feel what we’re accomplishing. Although I can see some advantages to not having to undertake all the other tasks, we still want to open the curtain. I could have spent more time doing things I felt would be beneficial for the race vehicle.
similar to what?
“I understand that the best thing for the team, your race car, and the performance is actually to go to bed early if I show up Monday morning and try and Tuesday morning and try and Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, and sometimes trying and being the most beneficial.” Chastain said. “It’s not to squeeze in one more workout. It’s not about working out harder. Actually, I’ve learnt and implemented the idea of tapering off into my life.
Sometimes, getting a good night’s sleep the night before has helped me perform better today. I had a snack while driving. I kept glancing at it, but I wasn’t prepared for it. Suddenly, we were in the last restart, and I decided that I wouldn’t be eating it at that point.
Unbeknownst to some, Chastain has picked up some speed in the month since missing the playoffs. They have taken on the persona of the “disruptors” that they have worn since coming here in 2022.
The effort that Chastain, crew leader Phil Surgen, and even their playoff-tested comrades in position 99 put in during the summer paid off against Kansas.
“I don’t think that’s the case for this group,” Surgen said in response to a question about if it was harder to compete when other drivers had kind of stepped up to the plate this morning. “Every week, we put in our all.”
In fact, in the four races since the playoffs started, the No. 1 team has collected the second-most points, trailing only Alex Bowman and the Hendrick Motorsports No. 48. According to Surgen, their objective remains the same: to continue competing in races and making an effort to win them.
