Joey Logano voiced his frustration following an on-track collision with Ross Chastain at the Grant Park 165 on July 6, held at the Chicago Street Course. The three-time Cup Series champion criticized both Chastain and NASCAR after the governing body chose not to penalize Chastain for what Logano described as deliberate contact during the race.
The incident occurred as drivers approached Turn 1, when Austin Cindric locked his brakes, triggering a chain reaction that involved Kyle Larson and Ryan Preece. Larson was pushed into Chastain’s No. 1 car, causing Chastain to spin. Upon rejoining the track, Chastain collided intentionally with Logano’s No. 22 Ford entering Turn 2, which resulted in Logano and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. spinning into the tire barriers and ending their runs abruptly.
Logano’s frustration boiled over immediately after the crash, as he aired his anger over the radio. On SiriusXM NASCAR Radio weeks later, Logano revealed that Chastain had admitted to intentionally wrecking him and expressed deep disappointment with NASCAR’s passive response to the incident.
“It obviously was intentional. He admitted it was intentional, which is obviously very frustrating for me… I was a innocent bystande in the whole thing and I’m the one that gets wiped out. I’m obviously very pissed off about it. Upset about the way it was handled post-race from his perspective. Upset that NASCAR didn’t step in and do anything about it,” Logano said.
—Joey Logano, NASCAR driver
Following the crash, Logano confronted Chastain on pit road in a heated exchange that underscored the tension between the two drivers. In response, Chastain took a more restrained stance prior to the Sonoma event, suggesting that close racing and contact are part of the sport’s dynamics and asserting that NASCAR reviewed the matter thoroughly.
“I think that a lot of people run into each other and for two laps we’re all running into each other. It’s what I saw when I looked back at it… I definitely think that NASCAR looked at everything… and I have conversations with NASCAR all the time. So, there was nothing out of the ordinary. We talked about it and I think there’s three sides to every story.”
—Ross Chastain, NASCAR driver
Despite the collision drama, Chastain completed the Chicago race in 10th place, while Logano managed to finish 11th. The episode has fueled ongoing debate about enforcement of intentional contact rules in NASCAR and the standards for post-race discipline.
Joey Logano’s Strong Comeback and Praise for Shane van Gisbergen’s Road Course Mastery
After the contentious Chicago race, Joey Logano bounced back at Sonoma Raceway in the Toyota/Save Mart 350, where he started 22nd and finished ninth. Logano executed a strategic race focused on tire management and adaptive pit calls, earning his fifth top-10 finish of the 2025 season and his best road course result since Watkins Glen last year.
In his post-race comments, Logano shifted attention to Shane van Gisbergen, highlighting the New Zealander’s growing expertise on road courses. Van Gisbergen clinched his third career Cup Series win with a dominant performance at Sonoma, leading 33 of the 110 laps and solidifying his reputation as a rushing force on street circuits.
“I can hang with Shane at Sonoma I feel like… last year, we led some laps and put it on the pole. Yeah, we’ll be fine. And gosh, dang it. He was fast again. And it’s amazing to see how specialized you can become in certain things… it’s super impressive,” Logano said to SiriusXM NASCAR.
—Joey Logano, NASCAR driver
Van Gisbergen’s victory marked his second win of the 2025 season and third overall, highlighting the challenge even experienced drivers face trying to match his road course speed and consistency. Meanwhile, Ross Chastain again made headlines at Sonoma, this time after tangling with teammate Daniel Suárez. Following a stage one win, Chastain’s aggressive driving dropped him back to a 24th-place finish, drawing criticism from several observers.
Implications and Future Outlook in NASCAR’s Handling of On-Track Contact
The fallout from the Chicago Street Course incident underscores the ongoing tension between drivers and NASCAR over enforcement of intentional contact penalties. Logano’s criticism highlights the frustration felt by competitors when perceived deliberate wrecking goes unpunished, raising questions about consistency and fairness in race officiating. Chastain’s insistence that
“there’s three sides to every story”
reflects the complex nature of racing incidents where contact is often inevitable but intentionality is difficult to prove.
As the season progresses, the handling of incidents like the one between Logano and Chastain will remain a central issue affecting driver relations and fan perception. The competitive intensity seen at Chicago and Sonoma illustrates why NASCAR’s decisions on penalties have significant impact on race outcomes and driver reputations. How NASCAR addresses these conflicts moving forward may shape the tone of the sport and the willingness of drivers to engage aggressively on track.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Ross Chastain hit the wall?
A. Dispute with Denny Hamlin NASCAR stepped in and informed Hamlin that he had already conveyed his message. Later in the race, Chastain collided with Chase Elliott, causing Elliott to spin out. During the restart, Elliott nudged Chastain towards the wall, while Hamlin made a tight pass to show his displeasure once more.
Q. What is the Ross Chastain rule?
A. On Tuesday, NASCAR revealed several rule updates for the 2023 season. The most significant change is a rule barring the exciting wall-riding move used by Ross Chastain during last fall’s “Hail Melon” at Martinsville.
Q. What did Ross Chastain do?
A. As they entered Turn 2, Chastain collided with the back of Logano’s car, causing it to spin and involve multiple other drivers. After the race, Joey Logano stated, “He confessed to causing the crash.”