Ross Chastain’s bold and assertive driving style has propelled him to become one of the most renowned figures in NASCAR’s Cup circuit. However, this approach has also earned him the scorn and animosity of certain fellow drivers.

Following the recent incident at Darlington Raceway, where Chastain collided with Kyle Larson, he found himself at odds with esteemed team owner Rick Hendrick, who issued a cautionary message, suggesting that Chastain’s actions would inevitably lead to the accumulation of adversaries.

During an interview on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Justin Marks, the owner of Trackhouse Racing, openly acknowledged that his driver “has some things he’s got to clean up.”

Justin Marks, owner of Trackhouse Racing, looks on prior to the running of the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 on May 14, 2023, at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, South Carolina. (Jeffrey Vest/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

“We’ve had many conversations with many people today. Some difficult conversations. I think the important message here is that we are a believer in Ross’ talents. That’s obvious,” Marks said. “He’s very fast. But he’s got some things he’s got to clean up. We today started the process of more aggressively handling that — with our partners, with Ross and with our team. Not necessarily because we’re mad at him, but there’s so much opportunity here.

“We’re addressing it. I’m going to take a more active role in it. I love the kid. I love the opportunity it’s given every single person at Trackhouse to be able to put a championship run together. But there’s stuff that has to be cleaned up. It’s a process he’s going to have to start going through sooner rather than later.”

During the concluding moments of the Kansas race, Chastain found himself embroiled in a fervent altercation with Noah Gragson. Tempers flared as Chastain landed a forceful blow on Gragson, prompting the intervention of NASCAR officials who swiftly intervened to separate the pair.

There is a tremendous opportunity awaiting Ross Chastain in NASCAR, akin to the magnitude of Dale Earnhardt’s legacy, according to Dale Jr.

Dale Jr. expressed his endorsement for Chastain, while also expressing concern about the potential negative reflection on Chevrolet’s reputation.

“Ross drove a great race,” Marks added. “He made good decisions in the first and second stages and not racing guys super hard, letting a couple of people go, managing that give and take.

“Then it all kind of fell apart at the end. (If) Ross clears Kyle and makes that pass and wins the throwback weekend at Darlington seven days after a scuffle on pit road, and the guy is a legend. He’s got the skill to do that; he’s got the ability to do that. The result was just bad — bad for everybody. It was bad for Hendrick, bad for Chevrolet, bad for Trackhouse and for Ross as the points leader.”

Currently, Chastain finds himself holding the top spot in the points standings, showcasing his consistent performance throughout the season. While he hasn’t secured any victories yet, he has impressively clinched five top 5 finishes and achieved six top 10 finishes. Notably, Chastain stands out as the leader in the Cup Series with an impressive tally of five stage wins.

Excitingly, NASCAR enthusiasts will witness the return of racing action to the legendary North Wilkesboro Speedway for the highly anticipated All-Star Race on Sunday night.