Ross Chastain, a prominent NASCAR Cup Series driver and runner-up in the 2022 season, has openly shared one of his most embarrassing and frustrating racing experiences. Recalling the one time he peed in his race car during a major event, Chastain detailed the incident, explaining it happened during the Xfinity Series finale in 2017 after he had been seriously ill. The revelation came through an interview for Jeff Gluck’s well-known ‘12 Questions’ column on The Athletic, where Chastain didn’t hold back the disappointments and intensity he faced that day inside his car at Homestead.
Leading up to the decisive 2017 Xfinity Series finale, Ross Chastain was not only battling the pressure of the season‘s last race but also fighting off a sudden sickness. Despite missing out on the playoffs in the weeks before, Chastain was determined to compete, pushing through his illness by receiving two one-liter IV bags before even entering the drivers’ meeting. The fluids provided some relief, but they led to a problem that no racer wants mid-event—a desperate need to use the bathroom inside his car.
Reflecting on the ordeal, Chastain shared,
“Homestead 2017, the Xfinity Series season finale. I got real sick going into the weekend and went to get some IVs right before the drivers’ meeting. They gave me two one-liter bags, and it made me feel good, but then I had to pee. The sickness was taken care of by the fluids, but the urge to use the bathroom was bad.”
He added that the urge struck during a stage caution, forcing him to relieve himself inside his car, an event he described as “the most miserable” he has ever been on the track.
When pressed on whether that was the only time he had such an experience, Ross Chastain made it clear,
“Yeah, yeah. I had never been so thankful for a caution. We weren’t even slowed down yet and it was already happening.”
His honesty draws attention to the unpredictable and often uncomfortable reality of motorsports, where drivers must push through both physical discomfort and emotional frustration in extreme conditions.
Although the account is laced with disappointment and frustration, Chastain’s story highlights the sheer intensity and human vulnerability present during high-stakes races. His admission also points to the demanding nature of professional driving, where preparation can only go so far against unexpected challenges. As other racers, such as Tyler Reddick, have faced even more severe conditions in recent seasons, Chastain’s experience resonates throughout the sport as a reminder of the unpredictable realities drivers regularly endure. Going forward, Ross Chastain’s honesty may prompt more open conversations about the intense and sometimes distressing pressures that define a professional racing career.
