During Saturday’s media session at Sonoma Raceway, the friction between Ross Chastain and Joey Logano remained apparent, as both drivers gave curt responses regarding their recent clash at the Chicago Street Race. Their unresolved conflict shows no signs of cooling down ahead of Sunday’s race, raising the possibility of renewed hostilities. Logano confirmed that he has not contacted Chastain since their last encounter, highlighting the strained relations that underline this NASCAR feud.
Silent Standoff: Neither Driver Initiates Contact
Joey Logano’s response was brief when asked about communication with Chastain:
“No, we haven’t talked. It is what it is. He made his choices. I’ve just got to go race my car.”
Similarly, Chastain has not reached out to Logano and does not plan to before the race, emphasizing that Logano has voiced his frustrations publicly. This mutual silence illustrates the deep-seated resentment following the incident on the track.
Dispute Over Incident Responsibility and NASCAR’s Review
Logano previously claimed that Chastain confessed to intentionally crashing into him, a point Chastain neither confirmed nor denied. Despite speculation from fans and media that NASCAR might punish Chastain with a fine or points deduction, Chastain stated that race officials handled the situation as usual. He noted,
“I definitely think that NASCAR looked at everything, like they do every week. I have conversations with NASCAR all the time. So there was nothing out of the ordinary. We talked about it and I think there’s three sides to every story.”
Chastain also pointed out that emotions ran high among multiple drivers in the closing laps, stating,
“One side of it was a lot louder this week than the other. I think that a lot of people were all running into each other for the last couple laps. So, that’s what I saw.”
Chastain Blames Logano Despite Complex Chain of Events
Although Austin Cindric triggered the initial collision, Chastain has held Logano responsible and retaliated by forcing Logano into Ricky Stenhouse Jr. This act of payback, while driven by Chastain’s frustration, reflects the complicated dynamics involved in the on-track confrontation. Neither driver committed to taking revenge immediately after the incident, keeping the tension simmering for future encounters.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Predicts Delayed Retaliation
Legendary NASCAR figure Dale Earnhardt Jr. expects Logano to return the favor eventually, though perhaps not as soon as the next race. He suggested that Logano might strike when least expected, possibly during the intense pressure of the 10-race NASCAR Cup playoffs. Earnhardt explained,
“Joey will probably get Ross back at some point. It might be a year from now. It might be at some point. And we might not even notice or recognize it, but Joey will (do something), something will happen somewhere at a racetrack and it might just be Joey air-blocking Ross and costing him a few spots on a restart.”
Expert Advice Urges Chastain to Reconcile Before Further Escalation
Amid rising drama, analyst Steve Letarte offered a straightforward recommendation to Chastain. He advised,
“If I’m Chastain, I’m calling Joey Logano this week (and) taking my butt-chewing.”
Letarte’s suggestion underscores the possibility that open communication could help defuse the tension before it impacts crucial playoff moments.
Potential Impact on NASCAR Playoffs and Future Rivalries
The unresolved Ross Chastain Joey Logano feud adds an unpredictable element to the upcoming NASCAR playoffs, where every move matters. With neither driver backing down and payback looming, their rivalry could influence key races and standings as the season intensifies. Fans will be watching closely to see if this conflict escalates at Sonoma or remains a simmering distraction until later, more critical events.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Ross Chastain hit the wall?
A. Conflict with Denny Hamlin NASCAR stepped in and informed Hamlin that he had expressed his frustration. During the same race, Chastain collided with Chase Elliott, making him spin. After the restart, Elliott forced Chastain toward the wall, and Hamlin made a close pass, indicating his anger once more.
Q. What is the Ross Chastain rule?
A. On Tuesday, NASCAR revealed several rule changes for the 2023 season, with one standing out. They banned the exciting wall-riding move that Ross Chastain used last fall in Martinsville, known as the “Hail Melon.”
