There would be negligible difference in any "inrush of current" between using the battery terminals and using an earth point on the chassis.
The whole "use the chassis" thing comes from the last clamp connected and first clamp disconnected are the ones with greatest potential to cause a spark, so keeping them away from a battery that may be gassing is "a good idea" (tm). Having witnessed a battery that went pop, I can concur with that
That's all it's about.

