RICHMOND, Va. — NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain joined forces with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and DRIVE SMART Virginia on Friday — ahead of his race at Richmond Raceway on Saturday — to promote lifesaving driving habits on and off the track. As part of the Who’s Your Driver? campaign, DMV and DRIVE SMART hosted a high-energy fan event focused on encouraging drivers, particularly young ones, to put their seat belt on and never drive under the influence.
Chastain, who’s known for his fearless racing style and his viral “Hail Melon” move at Martinsville Speedway, connected with fans by highlighting the parallels between the responsibility of racing and everyday driving. One of NASCAR’s top drivers and recent Coca-Cola 600 winner, Chastain has faced his share of crashes on the track, but one of the most impactful collisions happened off of it. In 2011, a close friend of Chastain’s was involved in a serious car crash that left him with life-altering injuries and unable to walk again.
“What happened to my friend changed the way I think about driving forever,” said Chastain. “When people get behind the wheel, they should remember — the real victory lap is making it home. Wearing a seat belt and choosing a sober driver aren’t just safety tips — they’re decisions that save lives.”
In Virginia, one-in-three fatal crashes involves alcohol. In 2024, 318 people were killed and more than 4,000 people were injured in alcohol-related crashes across the Commonwealth. Virginia also enforces a zero-tolerance law for drivers under 21, making it illegal to operate a vehicle with a blood alcohol content (BAC) over 0.02% — roughly the equivalent of just one drink.
“One drink can change your life — or someone else’s — forever,” said DMV Commissioner Gerald Lackey, the Governor’s Highway Safety Representative. “If you’re making plans to go out, take a moment to plan how you’ll get to your destination. Whether it’s a rideshare, a cab, a sober friend, there are always safer options to getting home than getting behind the wheel impaired.”
Chastain is a proud champion of the Who’s Your Driver? campaign — an initiative led by the Virginia DMV’s Highway Safety Office and DRIVE SMART Virginia, a nonprofit dedicated to making roadways safer for everyone. Through bold public outreach and educational initiatives, the campaign seeks to reduce impaired driving and boost seat belt use — especially among young drivers most at risk.
“In racing, there’s always a plan — a pit crew, a spotter, a strategy to get to the finish line safely,” said Kristin Pettway, Executive Director of DRIVE SMART Virginia. “We want drivers off the track to think the same way. If you’re going out and alcohol is involved, line up your ride home before the green flag drops. That simple choice can save your life or someone else’s.”
On Friday, fans got a behind-the-scenes look at Chastain’s race car, chatted one-on-one with the NASCAR driver, and learned how the safety equipment used in professional racing mirrors the everyday tools that help keep drivers safe. The event delivered more than excitement — it brought the Who’s Your Driver? campaign to life, reminding everyone that whether you’re on the track or the highway, having a plan and making safe choices behind the wheel can save lives.
For more information on the Who’s Your Driver? campaign, visit whosyourdriver.org.