The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series race at Chicago Street on Sunday delivered intense and chaotic moments, with several crashes culminating in a massive seven-car pile-up. Among the notable incidents, a collision between reigning champion Joey Logano and Trackhouse Racing’s Ross Chastain dominated headlines, sparked by a misunderstanding during a high-stakes duel. This dramatic event unfolded late in the race and disrupted Team Penske Racing’s strong performances.
The incident began during a critical restart when Joey Logano was positioned behind Ross Chastain. Amid aggressive racing and contact reminiscent of bumper cars, Logano’s No. 1 Chevy was spun by fellow driver Austin Cindric. Unaware that it was Cindric’s No. 2 Ford that caused the spin, Chastain mistakenly blamed Logano’s No. 22 Ford, prompting a retaliatory action that worsened the chaos.
Dale Earnhardt Jr. Criticizes Ross Chastain Over Key Incident
In response to the mishap, legendary driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. voiced sharp criticism of Chastain during an episode of his podcast. Earnhardt Jr. highlighted the confusion that led to Chastain’s aggressive retaliation, which also affected Ricky Stenhouse Jr., an unintended victim in the fray. The Hall of Famer pointed out the irony and poor judgment behind Chastain’s move after reviewing the footage.
Ross Chastain I guess destroyed Logano and (Ricky) Stenhouse and now I bet Ross feels pretty crummy having seen a replay of how that all went down. F*cking hilarious. The 2 is Cindric. I love this guy, he’s a funny guy. But he totally stepped on his d*ck right there.
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jr. Download
Earnhardt Jr. likened the event to a recognizable crash from a previous race, humorously noting how Chastain appeared determined yet out of control. He described the Chevy driver entering the next turn with locked rear tires, unknowingly about to cause a wreck, similar to Kyle Busch’s infamous crash on a wet track in Mexico City.
And we played the replay and the car, he’s hauling ass into Turn 1 and the rear tires are locked up. And it was just like Kyle Busch at the wet in Mexico but there wasn’t no excuse. That car’s going doh doh doh doh doh and he’s like, ‘Oh sh*t!’ And nobody in front has any idea what’s coming.
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jr. Download
Earnhardt Jr. Calls Incident Typical Ross Chastain Behavior
Continuing his analysis, Earnhardt Jr. remarked on Chastain’s tendency to engage in aggressive racing maneuvers that often lead to wrecks but seldom prevent him from finishing strongly. He recalled watching the wreck unfold and was surprised to find Chastain still placed seventh shortly after the crash, underscoring the driver’s resilience and the chaotic nature of the sport.
I saw the 22 wreck and I saw Ross wreck him, but it was just, I don’t know, man. I was sitting there watching this and then when it all got finished and we get another half a lap into the race, I’m like Ross is seventh. He came out of that completely fine. The most Chastain thing ever is for him…get bowled into the barrier, bounce off, wreck a couple guys, come out of Turn 2 still in the top 10.
—Dale Earnhardt Jr., Dale Jr. Download
The ongoing rivalry between Chastain and Logano is anticipated to intensify as both drivers remain close in performance metrics. Upcoming events at Watkins Glen and Sonoma Raceway are expected to feature continued clashes and retaliations between the two competitors.
Joey Logano Seeks NASCAR Intervention Amid Rising Tensions
Following the incident, Joey Logano expressed frustration and called on NASCAR to impose penalties on Ross Chastain for what he considers intentional wrecking. Logano pointed to NASCAR’s previous sanctions against drivers like Denny Hamlin for deliberate crashes as a precedent. However, NASCAR has opted not to fine Chastain in this case, leaving the possibility open that Logano might resort to retaliatory measures on the track.
This refusal to penalize Chastain adds fuel to the fierce competition between the two drivers, with tensions expected to remain high throughout the season. Fans and commentators alike are watching closely as the story develops, highlighting the unpredictable nature of NASCAR’s intense rivalries.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Ross Chastain hit the wall?
A. NASCAR stepped in during Denny Hamlin’s dispute with Chastain, saying Hamlin had “made his point.” In the same race, Chastain bumped into Chase Elliott, making him spin. When the race restarted, Elliott nudged Chastain toward the wall, while Hamlin made a close pass to show his displeasure again.
Q. What is the Ross Chastain rule?
A. On Tuesday, NASCAR revealed several rule updates for the 2023 season, with one catching special attention. They banned the thrilling wall-riding move Ross Chastain used in the “Hail Melon” at Martinsville last fall.
Q. What is the new rule for Ross Chastain?
A. NASCAR has prohibited Ross Chastain’s “Hail Melon” maneuver for the 2023 season. This move, which resembles a video game trick, helped him qualify for the championship at Martinsville Speedway.
Q. Is Ross Chastain in a relationship?
A. Since 2021, Ross Chastain, also known as NASCAR’s “Melon Man,” has been dating Erika Anne Turner. Turner used to be a cheerleader and model in Florida. She prefers to stay out of the spotlight, but she often cheers for Chastain at his races, such as his 2024 victory in Phoenix.
