NASCAR: 3 drivers who could become the next ‘renegades’
By Randy Smith
After NASCAR aired a program highlighting the renegades of the past, here are three possible drivers who could fill that role in the future.
Renegades, the “bad boys” and the “tough guys” of NASCAR, have been a staple in the sport since the days of Cale Yarborough, Junior Johnson, Dale Earnhardt, Rusty Wallace and many more.
In an era where it is unclear who can fill these roles, it’s arguably needed. These Hall of Famers are the drivers who made NASCAR the sport it is today. While you don’t need to be considered a “dirty” driver to fill these shoes — and there will never be another driver who matches the names mentioned — some will go the extra mile to win or even gain a spot in points.
With the playoff system being what it is, not only are renegades needed, but they can bring back what the sport has been lacking for several years.
There was hardly any NASCAR fan in the 1990s who was both an Earnhardt and a Jeff Gordon fan. Here is a look at the next group of drivers who can give fans a sense of identity in having them as their favorite driver.
Possible NASCAR renegade: No. 1 – Ross Chastain
A driver with an already unique background, the watermelon farmer from Alva, Florida has shown plenty of reasons on why he could be the next renegade of the NASCAR Cup Series. Ross Chastain has a will to win, just like any other driver. But the driver of the #42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet has shown this desire frequently throughout his career.
Going back to his Xfinity Series days, Chastain has shown that he is not afraid to show his displeasure if he feels he has been done wrong, such as when he turned Kevin Harvick while racing for the win at Darlington Raceway in 2018, leading Harvick to call him a “really inexperienced racer”.
Last year at Daytona International Speedway, Chastain turned another driver, and that other driver was teammate A.J. Allmendinger. When talking about the move to NBC after the race, Chastain asked, “What am I supposed to do? Just finish second? Not this guy.”
Even a dive-bomb move on Corey LaJoie at Sonoma Raceway last Sunday afternoon showed Chastain’s “whatever it takes” racing style to move ahead in the field. But in his defense, and using his own words: what is he supposed to do?