At the conclusion of Stage 2 in Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series event at Dover Motor Speedway, Ross Chastain and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. were involved in a heated incident that drew immediate attention. The tension between the two drivers led to a sharp warning issued to Chastain by his team, emphasizing caution amid the unfolding drama.
The warning was relayed by Chastain’s spotter, Brandon McReynolds, shortly after the two made contact heading into Turn 1 as the caution flag ended the stage, highlighting the risks of further aggressive moves on the track.
Chastain’s Aggressive Move on Stenhouse Triggers a Clear Team Directive
During the final laps of the second stage, Chastain closely trailed Stenhouse’s No. 47 Chevrolet, engaging in heavy door contact known as “door slamming.” As the field slowed under caution, Stenhouse later pulled alongside Chastain, but no additional collision occurred. Despite this, the message from Chastain’s crew was unequivocal: avoid provoking Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Over the radio, spotter Brandon McReynolds delivered a blunt warning consisting of four words: “Don’t fu*k with him.” He noted that Stenhouse was already two laps behind, signaling that escalating on-track disputes would serve no strategic benefit.
Motorsport journalist Noah Lewis captured the moment on social media, sharing a video clip that showed Chastain’s door slam maneuver as the caution flag was raised. He explained:
“Ross Chastain door slammed Ricky Stenhouse Jr. down into turn 1 as the caution flag flew to end the stage. The No. 1 team told Ross ‘don’t f*ck with him, he’s already two laps down.’ This was them once they came back around… Stenhouse pulled alongside Chastain this time. No…” — Noah Lewis, Motorsport Journalist
Stenhouse’s History of Track Confrontations Adds to the Tension
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is no stranger to on-track disputes and post-race confrontations. Earlier in 2025, he clashed with Carson Hocevar twice following incidents at Nashville and Mexico City. Further back in 2024, Stenhouse was involved in a physical altercation with Kyle Busch after the All-Star Race.
Aware of Stenhouse’s reputation and volatile history, Chastain’s team was cautious about provoking him further, hoping to avoid any unnecessary complications late in the race.
Chastain’s Day Falls Apart Following Warning, Leading to a Heavy Crash
Chastain’s troubles worsened after the radio warning. On Lap 385, while running 13th, he lost control exiting Turn 1 and collided hard with the outside wall. The resulting crash forced a caution just before rain halted the race with only 14 laps remaining.
His No. 1 Chevrolet suffered extensive damage and had to be removed from the track. NASCAR confirmed that Chastain was evaluated at the infield care center and released without major injury.
Recent On-Track Incidents Highlight Chastain’s Struggles This Season
The Dover incident followed another collision involving Chastain just a week earlier at Sonoma Raceway. On Lap 45 there, Chastain misjudged his braking point, causing contact with his Trackhouse Racing teammate Daniel Suarez and dropping himself to 29th place.
Chastain took responsibility for that incident, approaching Suarez and his crew chief to apologize and emphasize that wrecking his teammate was unintentional. Suarez finished 14th at Sonoma while Chastain ended the race in 24th.
Chastain’s Playoff Position Remains Secure Despite Recent Challenges
Despite these setbacks, Ross Chastain remains committed to maintaining a strong position through the remainder of the regular season. He clinched a spot in the playoffs with his earlier victory at Charlotte and currently holds 12th place in the standings with 517 points.
The tension with Stenhouse and subsequent crash at Dover underscore the high-stakes nature of this NASCAR season for Chastain as he fights to remain competitive while managing on-track rivalries and incidents.
