During the recent Chicago street race, tension flared when Ross Chastain was caught in a large crash on the track and subsequently retaliated by spinning out Joey Logano. The exact cause of Chastain’s anger toward Logano remained unclear throughout the event, but the incident quickly became a focal point of discussion among fans and drivers alike. The Ross Chastain Joey Logano feud ignited immediately after the race, with Logano accusing Chastain of deliberate wrecking.
Logano Demands Penalties Following On-Track Conflict
Once the race concluded, Joey Logano expressed his frustration directly, claiming Chastain had confessed to intentionally causing the spin. Logano urged NASCAR officials to impose fines on Chastain as a consequence of his actions. Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, who analyzed the incident on The Teardown podcast, confirmed that according to Logano and video footage including Chastain’s in-car camera, the spin-out appeared purposeful.
Joey Logano definitely thinks, according to Frontstretch and Bob Pockrass, who went and talked to him, that Ross Chastain wrecked him on purpose,
—Jeff Gluck, Motorsport Journalist
And he did. I went and saw his in-car camera for Chastain.
—Jeff Gluck, Motorsport Journalist
Sequence of Events Leading to the Spin Detailed
Gluck reviewed the race footage closely, mapping out the moments leading up to the collision. After Chastain was initially flipped or “dumped” in Turn 1, he managed to recover and re-enter the race track. Right after rejoining, Logano was the first car ahead of him. At the very next corner, Turn 2, Chastain spun Logano out, escalating the already intense situation on the track.
So Chastain gets dumped in Turn 1,
—Jeff Gluck, Motorsport Journalist
And Logano’s like the first car in front of him and the very next corner, in Turn 2, he just dumps Logano.
—Jeff Gluck, Motorsport Journalist
And Logano was like furious about it, rightfully so. And he ends up confronting Chastain afterwards and says that Chastain admitted that he dumped him on purpose. And Logano thinks he should be penalized for that.
—Jeff Gluck, Motorsport Journalist
Uncertainty Surrounding Reasons for Targeting Logano
Despite the clarity of the spin itself, what sparked Chastain’s decision to target Logano remains uncertain. Reports indicate that Logano did not play an active role in the earlier pileup that collected many drivers, including Chastain. Jeff Gluck pointed out that neither Logano nor Brandon McReynolds, Chastain’s spotter, initially identified Logano as the cause of the previous crash. It was only minutes later that McReynolds mentioned the involvement of another driver responsible for triggering the chain reaction.
So I went back and I was like, ‘Why was Ross mad at Joey?’ Joey didn’t do that, first of all,
—Jeff Gluck, Motorsport Journalist
So finally like five minutes later they’re like, after that had already happened, they’re like, Brandon McReynolds is like, ‘Hey, just to let you know, that was the 2 who jacked up everybody there and did a kamikaze move.’ But too late then, because Ross had already dumped Logano. And that’s when (Ricky) Stenhouse got his damage too. And then Stenhouse has a smashing watermelons gif on X afterwards.
—Jeff Gluck, Motorsport Journalist
Implications for Future NASCAR Races
The altercation between Ross Chastain and Joey Logano has created a fraught atmosphere ahead of upcoming NASCAR events. With Chastain’s interaction on pit road following the race—where Logano confronted him angrily—the feud is expected to simmer in the drivers’ minds. The clash not only involved these two but also affected other competitors like Ricky Stenhouse, who suffered damage amid the chaos. How these drivers will respond the next time they compete close to one another promises high tension and intense competition.
Such conflicts highlight the high stakes and emotions of street racing in NASCAR, where split-second decisions and past grievances can ignite lasting controversies. Officials and teams alike will be watching closely to see if NASCAR takes disciplinary action and how drivers adjust their strategies to avoid further on-track feuds.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why do they call Ross Chastain watermelon Man?
A. Ross, often called “The Watermelon Man” or “Melon Man,” is one of NASCAR’s busiest drivers. His famous celebration involves smashing a watermelon on his car after winning races. Lately, he’s had many chances to do this.
Q. Why is Ross Chastain called the Watermelon Man?
A. Winning the first race of the season allowed him to crush a watermelon in victory lane, continuing a tradition that honors his farming roots. Chastain, nicknamed The Watermelon Man, has this nickname because his family has a history in watermelon farming.
