RICHMOND, Va. — For NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain, race weekend isn’t just about speed, it’s about safety. Ahead of Saturday’s race at Richmond Raceway, Chastain teamed up with the Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) and DRIVE SMART Virginia to encourage more than 200 race fans to buckle up, plan ahead for a sober ride home, and never drive under the influence as part of the Who’s Your Driver? campaign.
"Behind the wheel of a race car, safety comes first every single time," said Chastain. "We wear our belts, trust our equipment, and follow the rules. Those same habits matter when you're driving home from work, school, or a night out."
As one of NASCAR's most recognizable drivers, Chastain has partnered with DMV and DRIVE SMART for the second consecutive year to reinforce the importance of responsible driving. Through partnerships like this, DMV's Highway Safety Office continues to reach new audiences to encourage safer roads across the Commonwealth.
"Ross Chastain makes a living driving at high speeds, yet he's the first to tell people there's a time and a place for it,” said DMV Commissioner Saundra M. Jack. “We're proud to partner with Ross, DRIVE SMART Virginia and Richmond Raceway to remind Virginians that safe driving starts with the choices we make every time we get behind the wheel.”
The need for these efforts remains clear. In 2025 alone, one-in-three fatal crashes in Virginia involved alcohol. More than 6,000 alcohol-related crashes claimed 248 lives, leaving families, friends, and communities forever changed. Nearly half of impaired drivers involved in those crashes were between the ages of 20 and 34.
Buckling up remains one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect yourself in a crash. Seat belts save nearly 14,000 lives across the United States each year, yet about half of Virginia drivers killed in crashes involving vehicles equipped with seat belts were not wearing one. The numbers are even more alarming when alcohol is involved: three-out-of-four impaired drivers killed in crashes were unrestrained. Pickup trucks also account for more unrestrained occupant fatalities than any other type of vehicle.
DRIVE SMART Virginia, a nonprofit dedicated to making Virginia's roadways safer, has been a key partner in expanding the reach of the Who's Your Driver? campaign and encouraging safer driving habits. Kristin Pettway, Executive Director of DRIVE SMART Virginia, said, "Race fans know that preparation, teamwork, and making smart decisions lead to success on the track. Those same principles apply on our roadways. By buckling up, planning for a sober ride, and looking out for one another, every driver can help make Virginia's roads safer. We're excited to join Ross Chastain and DMV in sharing a message that can save lives long after race day."
While Chastain competes on the track this weekend, DMV and DRIVE SMART Virginia hope fans leave with a message that lasts long after the checkered flag: buckle up, drive sober, and make every trip a safe one.
For more information on the "Who’s Your Driver? Choose a Sober Driver and Buckle Up" campaign, visit whosyourdriver.org.