Ross Chastain arrived at Iowa Speedway aiming to leave a strong mark in the HyVee Perks 250 while driving the JR Motorsports No. 9 Chevrolet for the last time. The veteran NASCAR Cup Series driver sought to build momentum on Saturday ahead of his Sunday Cup Series appearance, but his hopes were dashed as a frustrating final restart cost him a likely win during this 250-lap race.
Chastain’s experience and skill had positioned him as a favorite, but a series of events during the race’s closing stages shifted the outcome dramatically, leaving him with more questions than answers about what went wrong.
Early Race Dynamics: From Connor Zilisch’s Lead to Chastain’s Dominance
The opening segment of the race was dominated by 19-year-old rookie Connor Zilisch, whose aggressive driving earned him the Stage 1 victory and briefly put him in control. Unfortunately, mechanical troubles affected his No. 88 car, preventing him from sustaining his early momentum.
While Zilisch faced difficulties, Chastain remained composed, conserving his energy and watching for the right moment. That opportunity emerged in Stage 2, when he overtook Jesse Love and held the lead for the entire segment. His control of the race during this stage, securing back-to-back wins, placed him alongside his Trackhouse Racing teammates Shane van Gisbergen and Daniel Suarez, all of whom had previously earned victories in the No. 9 Chevrolet.
This strong performance put Chastain in prime position to claim victory, seemingly continuing a winning streak for the team at Iowa.
Critical Pit Stop Adjustments Shift Chastain’s Car Handling
However, the race trajectory changed during the final pit sequence, where a key decision on tire and air pressure adjustments affected the car’s performance. Chastain revealed in an interview after the race that these changes removed a significant amount of rear grip, compromising his car’s stability.
“It goes back to the last set of tires we put on, and we did some air pressure and just took a lot of the rear grip out of the car on the gas,”
—Ross Chastain, Driver
This mechanical alteration transformed Chastain’s previously smooth and controlled car into one that was loose and difficult to manage, especially under acceleration.
What Happened During the Final Restart That Cost Chastain the Win?
As the race restarted on Lap 214, the altered car handling turned into a major challenge for Chastain. Instead of pushing aggressively, he found himself struggling to keep control, especially as the rear end lost traction when he applied the throttle. The driver acknowledged his mistake during the critical phase of the race.
“I was off the gas, not on the loud pedal, so that’s where it went wrong,”
—Ross Chastain, Driver
The situation worsened as Zilisch’s No. 88 car became loose entering Turn 2, making contact with Chastain’s No. 9 vehicle. This collision triggered a chain reaction that sent Chastain spinning into reigning champion Justin Allgaier, effectively ending his hopes of mounting a late-race comeback.
Chastain Reflects on the Team’s Efforts Despite Disappointment
After the race, despite the difficult outcome, Chastain commended the hard work of his team throughout the weekend, recognizing the challenges they faced. He specifically highlighted their dedication amid the pressures of handling a fifth car for the season.
“Other than that, pit crew did great, Cory Shea (crew chief) did great, you know bringing a fifth car throughout the year is tough on them I know,”
—Ross Chastain, Driver
“I’m a competitor, I wanted to win, and we didn’t do it.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver
These remarks underline the frustration and competitive spirit that Chastain carried even after the disappointing finish.
Final Results and Implications for Chastain’s Season
Saturday’s race was Chastain’s fifth Xfinity Series start of the year and his final time driving the JR Motorsports No. 9 car. The third-place finish, while respectable, did not reflect the winning pace he believed he had all day at Iowa Speedway.
When the checkered flag fell, Sam Mayer from the Haas Factory Team took home his first victory of the season. Jesse Love finished second, with Chastain crossing the line third. Zilisch secured fourth, and Harrison Burton rounded out the top five. Though Chastain reached the podium, the sense of what might have been lingered strongly as a missed opportunity, given his early control and speed throughout the event.
This outcome leaves open questions about how future races will unfold for Chastain, especially as he moves forward beyond his time with JR Motorsports in the No. 9 Chevrolet car.