Ross Chastain entered Iowa Speedway with high hopes for a strong finish in the Hy-Vee Perks 250, driving the JR Motorsports No. 9 Chevrolet for the final time. As a seasoned Cup Series competitor, Chastain aimed to gain momentum ahead of his Sunday Cup race, but despite a competitive performance, an unexpected setback during the final restart left him disappointed.
The Ross Chastain Iowa Xfinity restart became a turning point in the race, dramatically impacting his chances for a win despite his early dominance and strategic driving.
Early Dominance and Stage Wins Set the Stage for Victory
The race began dominated by 19-year-old rising star Connor Zilisch, who showcased aggressive driving to capture Stage 1. His performance pressured the rest of the field, although mechanical troubles eventually hampered his progress. Meanwhile, Chastain employed patience and smart racing tactics.
During Stage 2, Chastain overtook Jesse Love to take command, maintaining the lead throughout and securing a crucial consecutive stage victory. This achievement placed Chastain alongside his Trackhouse Racing teammates Shane van Gisbergen and Daniel Suarez, who had previously claimed victories in JRM’s No. 9 Acceptance Insurance Chevrolet, elevating expectations for Chastain’s race outcome.
Final Pit Stop Changes Car Handling and Shifts Race Dynamics
The momentum shifted during the last pit sequence as adjustments to the car’s tire air pressures significantly affected its handling. Chastain explained in a post-race interview that the changes
“took a lot of the rear grip out of the car on the gas,”
which caused his vehicle to become unstable and more difficult to control during critical moments.
This loss of rear grip transformed Chastain’s once-commanding car into a challenge, forcing him to fight the vehicle’s looseness instead of pushing for the lead on the final restart.
Chaos on Lap 214 Restart Ends Chastain’s Victory Hopes
The situation worsened during the Lap 214 restart when the tightly packed field encountered turbulence in Turn 2. Zilisch’s No. 88 car lost control, colliding with Chastain’s No. 9. This triggered a chain reaction that involved reigning champion Justin Allgaier, spinning him out and ending Chastain’s chance for a late-race surge.
Reflecting on the incident, Chastain said,
“I was off the gas, not on the loud pedal, so that’s where it went wrong,”
highlighting his struggle with the car’s unpredictable behavior after the pit stop.
Chastain Acknowledges Team Effort Despite Setbacks
Despite the disappointment, Chastain recognized the strong performance of his crew and leadership throughout the weekend. He commended his pit crew and crew chief Cory Shea for managing a demanding season with a fifth car, stating,
“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.”
He reiterated his competitive nature by admitting,
“I’m a competitor, I wanted to win, and we didn’t do it,”
capturing his conflicted feelings about the race’s outcome.
Race Results and What Lies Ahead for Chastain
The Iowa event marked Chastain’s fifth Xfinity Series start of the season and his final opportunity in the JRM No. 9 car. While his third-place finish is solid, the driver from Alva, Florida, knows the potential for victory was within reach.
Sam Mayer of the Haas Factory Team claimed his first win of the season, with Jesse Love finishing second, followed by Chastain in third. Zilisch and Harrison Burton completed the top five. As Chastain’s speed and skill were evident, the result feels more like a near miss than a success, leaving questions about what might have been on an otherwise promising weekend at Iowa Speedway.
