As NASCAR prepares for its first race weekend in Mexico City, Ross Chastain fully supports the introduction of a podium ceremony that will honor the top three finishers in both the Xfinity and Cup Series. This change aims to recognize more drivers and align the sport with international motorsport traditions.
NASCAR’s Mexico City event will feature a unique innovation for the series: after each Xfinity and Cup Series race, the top three finishers will be celebrated on a podium, marking a significant departure from NASCAR’s usual practice of highlighting only the race winner.
Breaking Tradition: Recognizing More Than Just the Winner
Traditionally, NASCAR has only given official post-race celebrations to the race winner, often leaving second and third place unacknowledged in terms of ceremony. With NASCAR expanding to an international audience in Mexico, officials are adopting podium finishes common in other forms of motorsport worldwide to better celebrate top competitors.
Chastain, known for his straightforward style and competitive spirit, expressed enthusiasm for the change during a recent media interaction.
“I’ve always been a little disappointed that we don’t celebrate second and third more,”
he said, emphasizing the need for broader recognition beyond just first place.
Why Celebrating the Top Three Matters to Competitors
Chastain explained why this new podium setup is important to drivers, especially those who manage to secure top-three finishes consistently in the highly competitive Cup Series.
“It (coming second or third) means so much, and when you do it repeatedly, it can feel like it’s a letdown, but yes, we all want to win. But running top 3 in the Cup series is so challenging that I think we should have always celebrated it more.” —Ross Chastain, Driver
In his comments, Chastain also acknowledged that the sport and its competitors have long undervalued these achievements.
“I feel like we’d done a disservice to the 2nd-3rd place finishers for a long time by not celebrating it as a sport, and we’re guilty as competitors. I’ve got out after finishing second and not been happy. But we should celebrate it more.” —Ross Chastain, Driver
Chastain’s reflections challenge the old mindset that views finishing second as a failure, suggesting it is time for NASCAR to shift how it honors all drivers who perform at a high level.
Shifting Mindsets on Race Results
When questioned about the saying that “second is the first loser,” Chastain dismissed the notion as outdated and counterproductive in today’s racing environment.
“Let’s watch a better movie,” he quipped, encouraging fans and competitors alike to rethink the value placed on finishes behind the winner.
His perspective, shaped by several runner-up finishes during the 2024 season, highlights the difficulty and skill involved in consistently finishing near the front of NASCAR’s top-tier competition.
Implications for NASCAR and Its Fans Moving Forward
The introduction of a podium ceremony in Mexico City is more than just a cosmetic change—it reflects NASCAR’s intent to modernize and better honor the accomplishments of its athletes. Chastain sees this as an important step toward recognizing the perseverance, consistency, and skill required to compete at the highest levels.
By celebrating the top three finishers together, NASCAR hopes to tell a fuller story about the race and highlight the efforts of drivers who contribute to the sport’s excitement, even if they do not stand atop the podium as winners.
This symbolic shift could pave the way for broader adoption of podium celebrations across the NASCAR schedule, potentially transforming how success is acknowledged and fueling greater appreciation among fans and competitors alike.
