“Skinny Carl Edwards”: Fans react as Ross Chastain debuts new look ahead of NASCAR playoffs

Toronto Blue Jays v Atlanta Braves - Source: Getty
Toronto Blue Jays v Atlanta Braves - Source: Getty

Ross Chastain showed up at the Atlanta Motor Speedway this weekend with a clean-shaved face. That has sparked interesting reactions from fans on social media.

Usually, Chastain is seen with a full-faced beard, so when the driver of the No. 1 Chevrolet appeared at Atlanta with a new look, it caught a lot of race fans off guard.

Fans had their own interpretations of the 31-year-old's clean shave, with one comparing him with 28-time Cup Series winner and future NASCAR Hall of Famer Carl Edwards. The fan wrote:

"Skinny Carl Edwards"

There were a few movie references to the four-time Cup race winner's new appearance as well, with one writing:

"Jaws Chastain"
"Boy must be related to bubba gump," another fan wrote.

Some saw more youth in Chastain without a beard as one said:

"He looks so young!"
"Someone looks younger than Ryan Preece," said another.

There were some who expressed disappointment in Chastain going with a clean shave, with one fan saying:

"Nah honestly keep the beard."
"Please grow it back," said another.
"It's not a good look," commented a third.

Other fans drew comparisons with the aformentioned Edwards and even felt that the Florida native was unrecognizable. One commented:

"Who stole Ross' firesuit and (is) trying to impersonate him."
"I can’t be the only one who looked quick and thought that was Carl Edwards," said another.
"That's Ross' brother Ezekiel Chastain," said a third user.

In a video posted by Cole Cusumano, Ross Chastain told reporters on Saturday about his new look. He said that there isn't a particular reason for his makeover, while also telling The Athletic reporter Jeff Gluck that it "scares" him to look in the mirror.


Ross Chastain failed to make the playoffs this season

Ross Chastain, the creator of the "Hail Melon" move at Martinsville Speedway, a move that put him in the Championship 4 race at Phoenix the next week, didn't make the playoffs for the first time since taking over the No. 1 machine.

Ross Chastain has recorded four top-fives and a stage win, but it wasn't enough to make the 16-driver playoff field. Near the front for the bulk of Sunday's playoff opener at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Chastain came home in 13th.

His teammate, Daniel Suarez, was on the front row for what ended up being the final restart of the race, but he eventually had to settle for second place, behind winner Joey Logano.

Suarez is the sole Trackhouse Racing car in the postseason; the Mexican-born driver scored a win at Atlanta in the second race of the season.

After race one of the playoffs, Suarez is ninth in the standings and is in the next round by 22 points, while Ross Chastain is 17th and is the first driver outside the playoffs.

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Edited by Bhargav
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