Pete Hesgeth tells NASCAR star importance of sport in US politics
Ross Chastain was told by Pete Hegseth how important NASCAR was to American politics after the star's Coca-Cola 600 win.
Pete Hegseth explained to NASCAR star Ross Chastain how important the sport was to American politics.
Chastain most recently won the Coca-Cola 600, overtaking William Byron with six laps remaining at Charlotte Motor Speedway, ending his 18-race winless streak. Hegseth, the United States Secretary of Defense, also was the Grand Marshal for the race and his appearance alongside troops was criticized by fans on social media.
After the win, the Trackhouse Racing star was invited to the Pentagon to celebrate his accomplishment, bringing along his family to the historic site. While there, Chastain spoke of his conversation with Hegseth and detailed how NASCAR plays a role in American politics.
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“This was just an unbelievable day. I can’t even put it into words–what this city, the Pentagon and what it all means to our country,” Chastain said, per a release from Charlotte Motor Speedway. "Winning the Coca-Cola 600 on Memorial Day Weekend now ties it all together for me from the sports side."
He added: “When we talked to Secretary Hegseth, it was incredible to hear their view of how NASCAR and events like the Coca-Cola 600 help them present a positive image of the military and the government. They do a lot of hard things, a lot of serious things, but they can also like NASCAR and come to a race. That’s the thing about live sports, it gives you a break from reality.”
Chastain's family history is filled with members who served in the military throughout the decades. As such, the star had a visceral reaction to meeting current military personnel and being bestowed an opportunity to be at the Pentagon to smash watermelons.
The 32-year-old also was surprised by the reception he received at the Pentagon from Hegseth's family. Chastain revealed that one of Hegseth's daughters wore a dress with a watermelon, which the star driver is often associated with due to his background as a watermelon farmer.
“To see their excitement for the watermelons, and obviously with my family’s history and what we do (watermelon farming), to be able to smash watermelons here near the front steps of the Pentagon is something my family will talk about for the rest of time. To do that is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I don’t think any other fruit has been out here!” he concluded.
And while Chastain's visit to the Pentagon is one he will cherish, Hegseth's appearance at the Coca-Cola 600 left fans with a sour taste in their mouths. When the secretary of defense was first announced to be the Grand Marshal for the race, fans took to social media to express their displeasure with the news.
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"I get it. He's the Secretary of Defense. But only 2 in 10 Americans polled actually approved of his hire, and 55 percent believe he should step down, including 38 percent of Republican voters. There's a good chance this man gets booed out of the track," the fan wrote at the time of the decision.
When the day came for Hegseth to fulfill his obligations, fans were left scratching their heads after seeing the 45-year-old's attire. Standing next to military service members in full uniform, Hegseth wore a pale blue button-down shirt and a white rope trucker hat embroidered with "47" in red, white and blue, seemingly displaying his loyalty to Donald Trump.
"What a disgrace to our country and our veterans! Pete Hegseth wearing a draft dodger's hat for a salute to veterans at the Coke 600. This country has gone to ----," an irate user on X posted.
