At the Chicago Street Course on July 7, 2025, NASCAR driver Ross Chastain deliberately wrecked fellow competitor Joey Logano with just 12 laps remaining, escalating tensions across the paddock. The incident, which has become a major talking point in motorsport circles, left Logano furious after his No. 22 Ford Mustang was dumped by Chastain’s No. 1 Chevy, forcing Logano to finish in 11th place and igniting a heated encounter between the two drivers on pit road immediately after the race.
This episode further intensified the ongoing friction between Chastain and Logano, dating back to their previous clashes, including an earlier skirmish at Martinsville where Logano branded Chastain’s racing style as reckless. The growing conflict surrounding this latest event has driven calls within NASCAR leadership and commentary to hold Chastain accountable for his actions.
Growing Calls for Accountability Following the Chicago Incident
Joey Logano expressed deep frustration during and after the race, letting loose a tirade over team radio where he described being wrecked by Chastain as unfair and deliberate. Speaking later to FOX Sports, Logano made a clear demand for disciplinary action, emphasizing the seriousness of Chastain’s admitted intentions.
He [Chastain] admitted he wrecked me on purpose, which means he should get fined … that’s not okay.
—Joey Logano, NASCAR Driver
Industry insiders echoed Logano’s calls for punishment. Steve Letarte, a respected NASCAR analyst and former crew chief, agreed that Chastain’s conduct warranted consequences and urged the driver to make amends swiftly with Logano.
I hate to agree with Joey, but there’s a real argument there, I guess. If I’m Chastain, I’m calling Joey Logano this week, taking my b— chewing. Even if you get turned around at Sonoma, I just think that Ross and Trackhouse are building stuff, and you don’t want a guy like Joey Logano as an enemy. It’s just unnecessary.
—Steve Letarte, NASCAR Commentator
Letarte’s advice highlights not only the immediate issues stemming from the incident but also the potential long-term ramifications of letting such disputes fester inside the tightly-knit racing community.
Chain Reaction Begins with Earlier Collision in Turn 1
The deliberate wreck by Chastain was partly a retaliatory act following a chaotic sequence that began when Austin Cindric locked up his brakes, triggering a multi-car collision in Turn 1. Cindric’s No. 2 Ford Mustang’s misstep caused a chain of impacts involving Ryan Preece and Kyle Larson before Joey Logano’s No. 22 Ford was shoved into Chastain’s No. 1 Chevy. This initial incident was ruled accidental by race officials, but Chastain chose to strike back in Turn 2, leading to the wreck that ended Logano’s strong race position.
When Chastain intentionally spun Logano, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. was caught in the aftermath and suffered severe damage that forced him to retire early from the race. The aggressive maneuver by Chastain underscored a growing problem in NASCAR where driver retaliation carries serious risks for on-track safety and competition fairness.
Ross Chastain vs. Joey Logano. Ross admitted to wrecking him on purpose. Joey thinks he should be fined for it. Either way it was stubborn vs. stubborn on the race track. #NASACR #InsideTheRace
—Steve Letarte, via Twitter
The sequence of events and Chastain’s admission have fans and commentators divided over whether his aggressive mode aligns with competitive intensity or crosses into dangerous territory.
Chastain’s History of Contentious On-Track Incidents
This is not the first time Ross Chastain’s aggressive racing approach has provoked controversy. Previously, Chastain maintained a bitter rivalry with Denny Hamlin during the 2022 season, resulting in multiple retaliatory wrecks between the two. He has also been involved in clashes with Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson, which have drawn criticism even from team owners like Rick Hendrick, who warned,
If you wreck us, you’re going to get it back.
—Rick Hendrick, Team Owner
Though Chastain has toned down some of his past reckless tendencies, his fiery nature occasionally resurfaces during heated moments. Motorsport journalist Jeff Gluck shed light on Chastain’s response after the Chicago incident, indicating a lack of full awareness of the earlier chain collision and how the situation escalated.
Brandon McReynolds (Chastain’s spotter) 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
The scenario demonstrates how split-second decisions and emotional reactions on the track can dramatically influence race outcomes and driver relationships.
Potential Fallout and Stakes for Upcoming Races
With a guaranteed spot in the playoffs, Ross Chastain enters the final stretch of the season with much on the line, but the aftermath of the Chicago incident casts a shadow over his prospects. There is increasing speculation about whether drivers like Joey Logano or Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will seek retribution in forthcoming events, especially with races such as the Sonoma Raceway approaching.
How NASCAR handles the disciplinary situation remains uncertain, but failure to penalize Chastain for admitting to deliberate wrecking could deepen divisions among drivers and ignite further tensions. Steve Letarte’s warnings emphasize the dangers of escalating hostility and signal the importance of maintaining respect and safety within the sport.
The ongoing Ross Chastain NASCAR controversy spotlights the challenges NASCAR faces in balancing aggressive competition with sportsmanship and safety on its circuits. Fans and analysts alike await NASCAR’s official response and track the evolving dynamics among these high-profile competitors as the season progresses.
