When Everyone Zigs, Zag: The Power of Unconventional Thinking

“The mind adapts and converts to its own purposes the obstacle to our acting. The impediment to action advances action. What stands in the way becomes the way.” – Marcus Aurelius

This quote, often shortened to “The obstacle is the way,” took on a literal meaning in a recent NASCAR race, showcasing how unconventional thinking can overcome seemingly insurmountable odds.

Them Good Ol’ Boys

NASCAR, one of America’s most popular spectator sports, has a colourful history. Its roots trace back to the Prohibition era when moonshiners needed fast cars and skilled drivers to evade the law. These drivers modified their vehicles for speed and carrying capacity, laying the groundwork for organized racing after Prohibition ended in 1933. This eventually evolved into the NASCAR we know today.

Get Going Racing

The setting: Martinsville Speedway in Virginia, the second-to-last race of the 2022 season. The stakes: a coveted spot in the Championship 4.

Joey Logano had already secured his place. Christopher Bell was on the verge of joining him with a win. But the real drama centered on Chase Elliott and Denny Hamlin, battling for the final two transfer spots.

Enter Ross Chastain of Trackhouse Racing. In only their second year, the team, with fewer resources than established competitors, faced a significant challenge. Chastain struggled to find the speed needed to compete throughout the race.

To advance to the championship round, Chastain needed at least two more points, requiring him to overtake at least two cars. Crucially, he had to beat Hamlin, who was ahead of him and also vying for a championship spot.

Decision Time

What to do? The final lap is approaching and Chastain is still behind and still without those points he needed.

He did not do what everyone else did because doing that would certainly lead to no points. What he did was prove every parent wrong.

Playing video games is a huge waste of time. It will never get you anywhere. This is the cry of many parents who are frustrated with their children who are endlessly staring at the bright flashing lights on the screen.

What Chastain did do was use a tactic that his brother would do in the video game they would play as kids. Instead of slowing down into the corner like everyone else, he would accelerate and smash into the wall and use it to turn the car while increasing in speed.

And this is exactly what he did. He flew past many of the racers and on the line was neck and neck with Hamlin.

The race was over, and everyone was stunned by what they just saw, but a nervous wait hung over the track as the final results were posted.

Chastain had done it, he had pipped Hamlin on the line and got the final spot into the championship race.

Doing The Unconventional

Chastain’s unorthodox manoeuvre highlights a crucial lesson: when facing a resource disadvantage, doing the same thing as your competition is a losing strategy. Unconventional thinking, while daunting, can be highly effective when traditional methods offer no hope of success.

Established leaders often become complacent. They have a dominant position and are hesitant to take risks. This reluctance to innovate can lead to stagnation.

Chastain’s move demonstrates the power of thinking outside the box. Just because something hasn’t been done before doesn’t mean it won’t work. While calculated risks are essential, sometimes the “unthinkable” can be the key to overcoming obstacles and gaining a competitive edge.

You can see the end of the race below