The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series race held last Sunday at Chicago Street turned chaotic, with a seven-car pileup dominating the event. A key moment of controversy involved reigning champion Joey Logano and Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain, whose collision during a heated duel disrupted the race for Team Penske Racing’s drivers. The Ross Chastain NASCAR wreck controversy has since become a focal point of discussion among fans and analysts.
During a late-race restart, Joey Logano found himself trailing right behind Ross Chastain as the pack battled fiercely. The No. 1 Chevy driven by Logano spun out after contact from Austin Cindric. Chastain mistakenly believed it was Logano’s No. 22 Ford that caused his spin, when in fact it was Cindric’s No. 2 Ford. In retaliation, Chastain spun Logano’s car and also unintentionally involved Ricky Stenhouse Jr., an innocent competitor who was caught in the crossfire, ending the races of both drivers prematurely.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Criticizes Ross Chastain for Impact on Joey Logano and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed his disapproval of the incident on his podcast, sharply criticizing Chastain for his actions. He highlighted the confusion that led to the wreck and ridiculed Chastain’s response upon reviewing the replay.
“Ross Chastain I guess destroyed Logano and (Ricky) Stenhouse and now I bet Ross feels pretty crummy having seen a replay of how that all went down. F*cking hilarious. The 2 is Cindric. I love this guy, he’s a funny guy. But he totally stepped on his d*ck right there.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., via Dale Jr. Download
Earnhardt Jr. humorously compared the crash to a notorious Kyle Busch incident at Mexico City, describing how Chastain aggressively entered the next turn with locked rear tires and barreled into the chaos without excuse, much like Busch did under wet track conditions.
“And we played the replay and the car, he’s hauling ass into Turn 1 and the rear tires are locked up. And it was just like Kyle Busch at the wet in Mexico but there wasn’t no excuse. That car’s going doh doh doh doh doh and he’s like, ‘Oh sh*t!’ And nobody in front has any idea what’s coming.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Earnhardt Jr. Labels the Crash as a Typical Ross Chastain Episode
Continuing his analysis, Earnhardt Jr. described the crash as quintessential Ross Chastain behavior. Despite causing damage, Chastain managed to remain competitive by bouncing off barriers and spinning out rivals, all while maintaining a strong position in the race.
“I saw the 22 wreck and I saw Ross wreck him, but it was just, I don’t know, man. I was sitting there watching this and then when it all got finished and we get another half a lap into the race, I’m like Ross is seventh. He came out of that completely fine. The most Chastain thing ever is for him…get bowled into the barrier, bounce off, wreck a couple guys, come out of Turn 2 still in the top 10.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr.
This incident underlines the aggressive style Ross Chastain is known for, often wrecking opponents during intense duels and yet managing to secure a top-10 finish. The dynamic between Chastain and Logano remains tense, with both drivers pushing hard given their closely matched cars.
Ongoing Rivalry Between Chastain and Logano Expected to Intensify in Coming Races
The friction between Joey Logano and Ross Chastain looks set to continue in upcoming events at Watkins Glen and Sonoma Raceway, where both drivers are expected to engage in fierce competition. Logano has called on NASCAR to penalize Chastain for what he views as a deliberate wrecking maneuver, referencing the league’s past disciplinary actions against drivers like Denny Hamlin for intentional crashes.
Despite Logano’s request, NASCAR chose not to fine Chastain for the incident, a decision that might provoke Logano to take matters into his own hands on the track. The unresolved tension raises concerns about potential further incidents as the rivalry heats up in the remainder of the season.
As this saga unfolds, fans and insiders will be watching closely to see how both drivers adjust their strategies and whether NASCAR intervenes further to maintain control over the escalating conflict.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Ross Chastain hit the wall?
A. Denny Hamlin got into a conflict with NASCAR. They informed him that he “had made his point.” In the same race, Chastain collided with Chase Elliott, causing Elliott to spin. When the race resumed, Elliott nudged Chastain towards the wall while Hamlin made a close pass to show he was still upset.
Q. What is the Ross Chastain rule?
A. On Tuesday, NASCAR revealed several new rules for the 2023 season, with one being particularly significant. They have banned the exciting wall-riding move used by Ross Chastain during the “Hail Melon” event at Martinsville last year.