NASCAR driver Ross Chastain has criticised talk show host Stephen A. Smith for dismissing NASCAR drivers as athletes. Smith recently claimed on his SiriusXM show that driving a car does not constitute athletic performance, likening it to an activity anyone could do in their 60s or 70s. Chastain's response highlights a wider debate about what constitutes athleticism in professional motorsport.

Speaking to OutKick, Chastain suggested that Smith lacks sufficient knowledge of NASCAR drivers to make credible judgements about the sport, questioning whether Smith could even recognise a NASCAR driver without their racing suit. He acknowledged that Smith possesses significant media reach but emphasised the importance of understanding a subject before publicly criticising it. Other prominent drivers, including Kyle Larson and Jeff Gordon, also disagreed with Smith's assessment. Smith extended his critique to golfers as well, suggesting he holds a broader view that certain sports do not require athletic skill.