NASCAR star Ross Chastain to promote safe driving at Martinsville Speedway race this weekend

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — NASCAR star Ross Chastain is coming to the Martinsville Speedway this weekend to promote safe driving habits at NASCAR's last race of the season in Virginia.

The Virginia Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) announced Tuesday, Oct. 21, that it's teaming up with Chastain and the nonprofit DRIVE SMART Virginia, to encourage drivers to use seatbelts and drive sober.

The event is part of the "Who's Your Driver?" campaign to raise awareness on alcohol-related and unrestrained fatalities.

“These events are a place where fans can enjoy the sport, but it’s also a reminder that we all need to make an effort to get home safely — and that starts with choosing a safe, sober ride and buckling up,” Chastain said.

According to the release, one in three fatal crashes in Virginia involves alcohol. Last year, more than 4,300 people were injured in alcohol-related crashes in the state, where 318 people died.

More than 3,600 Virginians were injured in unbuckled driving incidents, another 322 died in 2024, per release said.

The DMV stated that preliminary data from its Highway Safety Office showed signs of progress for 2025. Compared to the same period in 2024, alcohol-related incidents are down 32% this year, while unrestrained incidents in the state saw a 17% drop.

Chastain is set to make an appearance at the, "Who's Your Driver?" booth on Sunday, Oct. 26, from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., according to a social post. The race is set to start at 2 p.m.