RICHMOND, Va. — This weekend, NASCAR star Ross Chastain returns to Martinsville Speedway with a mission both on and off the track. Known for his fearless driving, Chastain is chasing victory while teaming up with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and DRIVE SMART Virginia to remind fans that the real win comes from buckling up and driving sober. The message is part of the Who’s Your Driver? campaign and comes at an important time as preliminary DMV data shows a decline in alcohol-related and unrestrained fatalities compared to last year.
“Every time I race, I ensure all my safety equipment is in place and functioning properly, including a seven-point safety belt harness, my HANS device, and my protective gear including a fire-retardant suit, helmet and gloves. If I can do all that to stay safe on the track, taking a moment to buckle up for the drive home is the least we can do,” said Chastain. “These events are a place where fans can enjoy the sport, but it’s also a reminder that we all need to make an effort to get home safely—and that starts with choosing a safe, sober ride and buckling up.”
In Virginia, one-in-three fatal crashes involves alcohol. Across the Commonwealth, 318 people lost their lives and more than 4,300 were injured in alcohol-related crashes in 2024. Another 322 people were killed and more than 3,600 were injured in crashes and not wearing a seat belt. But there are signs of progress: preliminary 2025 data (January-June) from the DMV’s Highway Safety Office show declines in both alcohol-related and unrestrained fatalities compared to the same time period in 2024. Alcohol-related deaths are down 32% and unrestrained fatalities have dropped 17%, marking an encouraging step toward safer roads in Virginia.
“While any loss on our roads is one too many, these early numbers show that Virginians are responding to the message about safe and sober driving,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “However, our job continues—informing both new and experienced drivers to buckle up and make sure they or their designated driver are sober and ready to get home safely.”
This marks Chastain’s third event with the Virginia DMV and DRIVE SMART Virginia, a nonprofit dedicated to making roadways safer for everyone. The DMV and its partners have continued to launch statewide campaigns, air commercials, and participate in outreach events, and even created a 54-foot ladder demonstration to show the consequences of speeding. Virginia State Police, in collaboration with law enforcement agencies across the Commonwealth, is actively enforcing traffic laws, while the Virginia Department of Transportation, along with localities' transportation departments, continue efforts to maintain and improve roadway infrastructure. The preliminary 2025 data reflect the impact of these efforts, showing a decline in unrestrained and alcohol-related fatalities across the Commonwealth. Chastain and DMV have also shared the message that wearing a seat belt saves lives, especially now that the Christopher King Law requires everyone in the car to be restrained.
“Creating safer roads across Virginia is a mission that demands collaboration, innovation, and a shared commitment to protecting lives,” said Kristin Pettway, Executive Director of DRIVE SMART Virginia. “We're proud to team up with the Virginia DMV and Ross Chastain—whose passion for safety and deep connection to the driving community make him an ideal partner. Together, we're accelerating awareness, promoting responsible driving, and steering Virginia toward a future where every journey is a safe one.”
Chastain will continue reinforcing this message this weekend alongside DMV and DRIVE SMART Virginia through the Who’s Your Driver? campaign, including meet-and-greets at the racetrack. With tens of thousands expected at the Martinsville Speedway, DMV and DRIVE SMART remind all fans to buckle up, drive sober, and plan for a designated driver or rideshare.
For more information on the Who’s Your Driver? campaign, visit whosyourdriver.org.