Dale Earnhardt Jr. expressed his interest in the unfolding situation between Ross Chastain and Daniel Suarez following their clash at Sonoma over the weekend. On his podcast, Dale Jr. Download, Earnhardt discussed the moment when Chastain spun his Trackhouse Racing teammate during Lap 49 of the NASCAR Cup Series race, raising questions about the consequences of the incident.
Earnhardt was clear about fault, stating,
“Chastain f***ed up. Let’s get that clear,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr. However, he also noted that Suarez’s positioning played a role by blocking, and if Suarez hadn’t done so, Chastain might not have forced the spin. Earnhardt explained that Suarez could have battled around the outside, likely keeping his position through the front straightaway and preventing Chastain from passing.
Team Tensions and Suarez’s Future at Trackhouse Racing
The incident gained added significance because Chastain and Suarez are teammates, which complicates their rivalry. Earnhardt highlighted that Suarez is in a difficult position emotionally, as Trackhouse Racing has already decided not to retain him for the 2026 season. According to Earnhardt, Suarez has been feeling less than, unwanted, and rejected amid the uncertain future.
Suarez was visibly upset after being spun and reportedly told his team,
“You better hope I don’t get to him today.”
—Daniel Suarez Despite the turmoil, Suarez managed to finish 14th in the race, while Chastain ended in 27th. After the event, Suarez indicated he wanted to address the incident directly with Chastain, warning, He’s gonna get it back. Chastain, however, declined to comment as he left Sonoma.
Earlier this month, Trackhouse Racing publicly announced it would part ways with Suarez after the current season. Team owner Justin Marks acknowledged Suarez’s valuable contributions, stating,
“The role Daniel has played in the Trackhouse origin story and its first five years will remain a valued part of the company’s history forever,”
and added,
“His commitment, work ethic and dedication to the effort is one of the most impressive things I personally have seen in my career. We will forever be thankful and honored that Daniel chose to spend many incredible years with us.”
—Justin Marks
Uncertain Prospects for Daniel Suarez Post-2025
Looking ahead, Earnhardt discussed the challenge Suarez faces in securing a competitive ride after 2025. He expressed doubt about Suarez’s opportunities in the NASCAR Cup Series, questioning what options might offer him a comparable or lateral move within the sport.
“I don’t know really what opportunities he’s got in Cup to stay in Cup,”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr. He continued,
“What openings are there? Where would he go that would be like a, ‘Hell yeah, this is just as good.’ A lateral move at least.”
—Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Impact of the Feud on Team Dynamics and Season Outlook
The escalating tension between Chastain and Suarez threatens to disrupt Trackhouse Racing’s team chemistry as the season progresses. Suarez’s uncertain status with the team and his reaction to the on-track incident highlight deeper issues that may affect both drivers’ performances. How the team resolves this rivalry could influence their strategy and success in the coming races.
As the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season continues, all eyes will remain on Trackhouse Racing to see how these teammates manage their conflict and how it shapes their competitive futures, especially considering Suarez’s imminent departure from the team.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Ross Chastain hit the wall?
A. NASCAR stepped in and told Denny Hamlin that he had gotten his message across. During the same race, Chastain collided with Chase Elliott, making him spin out. When the race restarted, Elliott forced 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 rule changes for the 2023 season, with one standing out the most. They banned the exciting wall-riding move used by Ross Chastain at Martinsville last fall, known as the “Hail Melon.”
Q. What did Ross Chastain do?
A. As they approached Turn 2, Chastain bumped into the back of Logano’s car, causing a spin and involving several other drivers. After the race, Joey Logano stated, “He told me he caused the wreck.”