During the Straight Talk Wireless 500 at Phoenix Raceway last Sunday, a significant chain-reaction crash occurred on lap 217 when Joey Logano triggered an incident during a restart. The collision affected several drivers, including Ross Chastain, who was tapped on the rear bumper by Logano, causing him to spin. Alongside Chastain, Anthony Alfredo, Bubba Wallace, and Logano’s teammate Austin Cindric were also caught up in the crash.
Impact and Damage Sustained by Cars
Austin Cindric bore the brunt of the collision, crashing hard into the wall and coming to a sudden stop, while Chastain’s vehicle sustained substantial damage and steering difficulties. Despite these challenges, Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet managed to limp back to pit road for repairs. After spending some time in the garage, Chastain’s crew worked diligently to fix the car, allowing him to return to the race. He ultimately finished in 28th place, 26 laps behind the race winner, Ryan Blaney.
Chastain Addresses the Situation with Joey Logano
Following the race, Ross Chastain expressed that there were no hard feelings between himself and Joey Logano. He revealed that the two drivers quickly resolved the matter in a conversation shortly after the event. Speaking to reporters before the Las Vegas Motor Speedway weekend, Chastain commented on the incident:
“Yeah, I got a bad restart, in my opinion, and then he got a run and ran into the back bumper.”
He also reflected on their relationship:
“So, we have a good relationship, and that was just a bad deal, but we’re fine. We had a good conversation on Monday,”
Chastain explained that he respects Logano’s experience and driving style and has studied Logano’s techniques throughout his own career. He highlighted their similar approach to racing and emphasized their mutual professionalism on the track.
“Ross Chastain says Joey Logano gave him a call on Monday following their accident at Phoenix that Logano was contrite over causing. Ross says he and Logano have a good working relationship and ‘We’re fine. Totally good.’” – Steven Taranto, Reporter
Joey Logano Admits Responsibility for the Crash
Joey Logano openly acknowledged his role in the crash during post-race comments. He described how the restart left little room on the track and that the space closed quickly, leading to the collision with Chastain. Logano expressed regret over the incident:
“I hate that I got on the Ross. Tried to, he had a good run there to try to slip him, and he kind of anticipated, he went down to the bottom, and we got into each other, and just ended up spinning us.”
The crash caused significant disruption in the race, but Logano himself managed to escape this incident unscathed. However, later in the race, Logano was involved in another wreck on lap 254 after contact with AJ Allmendinger entering Turn 1. This second crash also involved Austin Dillon, Daniel Suarez, Chase Elliott, Josh Berry, and Shane van Gisbergen, creating further chaos on the track.
Chastain’s Determined Finish Earns Valuable Points
Despite his damaged car and earlier spin, Ross Chastain persevered and remained on the track through repairs. His persistence allowed him to be the last car running at the race’s conclusion, picking up crucial points over competitors who were forced to retire early. Though he crossed the finish line well behind the leaders, continuing was important for his position in the standings, where he currently sits 23rd.
Ross Chastain says Joey Logano gave him a call on Monday following their accident at Phoenix that Logano was contrite over causing. Ross says he and Logano have a good working relationship and "We're fine. Totally good."
Ross now has a hole to dig out of at 23rd in points, so we… pic.twitter.com/P0cXq0k95K
— Steven Taranto (@STaranto92) March 10, 2026
Joey Logano on the Lap 217 crash:
“I hate that I got into Ross… I had a good run to try to slip him. He anticipated it, went down to the bottom, we got into each other, and it ended up spinning us.”#NASCAR
Presenting Partner: @MyPlaceHotels pic.twitter.com/BdG6nRf5Hq
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) March 8, 2026
