NASCAR driver Ross Chastain comes to ETSU: Racing as a regional tie-in for Esports

NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain visits East Tennessee State University, Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2026 Jackson Clavier / The East Tennessean

NASCAR driver Ross Chastain has lived what the New York Times referred to as a “quasi-Cinderella story.” Chastain, an eighth-generation watermelon farmer, has come from Alva, Florida, with no connections in the racing industry to the greatest speedways in the country as a top NASCAR driver.

“It was all worth it,” Chastain said. “When things would go wrong, I would just get up and go back somehow. I figure out what’s next, do whatever it takes. Just keep going. No matter what, it’ll be worth it.”

Chastain gave this advice at ETSU on Wednesday Aug. 26, while visiting for a meet and greet in collaboration with the Esports team and Bristol Motor Speedway.

Bristol Motor Speedway will be hosting its fall NASCAR weekend Sept. 17-19 and Chastain encouraged ETSU students to attend.

“It’s indescribable,” Chastain said of the atmosphere at Bristol Motor Speedway. “Late summer, Saturday night here in the mountains…when Lee Greenwood sings God Bless the USA and the eagle flies around, it feels so patriotic and so cool to be there.”

ETSU students are eligible to purchase discounted tickets for the upcoming race on the Bristol Motor Speedway website.

Bristol is special to Chastain for more than its atmosphere—it was the site of his second ever NASCAR race. Toward this beginning stage of his career, iRacing was a crucial way to prepare for the actual track.

“iRacing was my way to virtually drive and see pit road, the apron, the track and have at least a visual reference. It was the only thing I had, so I put a lot of hours into it ahead of every race,” Chastain said. “It never failed.”

ETSU students, faculty and staff have an opportunity to try these racing simulators for themselves through a partnership between ETSU Esports and Bristol Motor Speedway.

“From now until Sept. 14, students, faculty and staff can come by the esports training facility Monday-Friday from 12-6 p.m. and a run a 10-minute, 10 lap trial,” said Jeff Shell, head coach of ETSU Esports.

Multiple entries are permitted but limited to one per person per day. Prizing includes items signed by Ross Chastain, iRacing trial codes and a VIP experience for the upcoming Bristol Motor Speedway fall race. This year, the ETSU Esports team will be sending six members to the official eNASCAR College iRacing Series.

Esports are neither as old nor as well understood as many other traditional collegiate sports. However, iRacing can provide what Shell called “regional tie-in.” Connecting NASCAR racing, a sport important to the region, to Esports can increase excitement and understanding of Esports.

Chastain spoke to the importance of the iRacing in NASCAR while donning a personalized ETSU Esports jersey. His main and final message, however, stretched beyond the Esports team.

“Come to the race,” Chastain said.