Ross Chastain has acknowledged Team Penske’s strong performance, noting their dominance last week at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, and is wary of their potential impact in the upcoming playoff races. As the NASCAR playoffs advance toward the Championship 4 event at Phoenix Raceway, Chastain remains alert to the challenge posed by the Team Penske drivers.
In an interview with Frontstretch, Chastain reflected on how Team Penske’s Ryan Blaney and Joey Logano secured front-row starting positions for the New Hampshire race and went on to deliver impressive performances. The Trackhouse Racing driver commented,
“I know they had a lot of grip in New Hampshire, so no telling what happens in a month and a half when we get to Phoenix, but they’ve been fast there as well, and they kicked our butts in New Hampshire.” Ross Chastain, NASCAR Driver
At New Hampshire, Ryan Blaney claimed the race victory while Joey Logano, who currently holds the NASCAR Cup Series champion title, finished in fourth place among a field of 36 cars. Chastain himself ended the race in ninth position. Hailing from Alva, Florida, Chastain sits ninth in the playoff standings with a 12-point shortfall to the cutoff line for advancing to the Round of 8.
To secure a spot in the next round like Blaney, Chastain must continue to accumulate stage points and avoid incidents or errors on the track that could eliminate his chances. Alternatively, a race win would guarantee his passage to the Round of 8.
The next race for Chastain is the Hollywood Casino 400 Presented by ESPN Bet at Kansas Speedway, slated for Sunday, September 28. This 267-lap contest marks the 31st race of the season, with the competition broadcast from 3 pm ET on USA Network and live radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90.
Chastain Eyes Another Win at Kansas Speedway After Last Year’s Success
Ross Chastain comes into Kansas Speedway with confidence, recalling his strong performance at the 1.05-mile tri-oval last year. In 2023, he overtook then-leader Martin Truex Jr., who has since retired, and crossed the finish line just 0.388 seconds ahead of second-place finisher William Byron.
Reflecting on his prospects for a repeat victory, Chastain remarked,
“I feel our intermediate program is the strongest for the No. 1 car out of the different types of tracks. I think if we can replicate how we ran at Kansas last year and Charlotte this year, that we’ll have a strong shot to win or definitely run inside the top-five.” Ross Chastain, NASCAR Driver
“We haven’t been able to do that at all of the mile-and-a-half tracks this year though. The little bit of a question mark going into Kansas is if we can replicate those races,” he added. Ross Chastain, NASCAR Driver
For the upcoming race at Kansas, Chastain qualified ninth and will start alongside Erik Jones of Legacy Motor Club on Row 5. The pole position was secured by Chase Briscoe from Joe Gibbs Racing, who will start beside Denny Hamlin.
Implications for the Playoff Picture and Upcoming Challenges
The tension in the playoff battle is palpable as Chastain tries to narrow his points gap to advance in the chase for the championship. Team Penske’s current performance, especially at New Hampshire and Phoenix Raceway, adds pressure on contenders like Chastain. The need to maintain clean, consistent races while avoiding costly mistakes has never been greater as drivers vie for the final Championship 4 spots.
With a challenging race weekend ahead at Kansas Speedway, fans and teams alike are on edge anticipating whether Chastain can match his past success and keep his championship hopes alive. The outcomes in the next few races will be critical, not just for Ross Chastain and Team Penske, but for how the playoffs will ultimately unfold.
