Ross Chastain experienced unexpected frustration following his ninth-place finish in the Round of 12 opener at New Hampshire Motor Speedway on Sunday, despite securing a top-10 result in the NASCAR Cup Series race. The Ross Chastain NASCAR finish left him feeling uneasy after a competitive start in a key playoff event.
Chastain’s Strong Start Fades Early in New Hampshire Race
Beginning the race in eighth position, a notable improvement over his season average starting spot of 20th, Chastain showed early promise. However, the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet struggled through the first two stages, ranking 12th in Stage 1 and dropping to 13th in Stage 2, missing out on vital stage points that could have strengthened his playoff standing. Despite efforts from crew chief Phil Surgen to adjust the car and improve performance, Chastain found himself moving backward in the field during the race’s early parts.
Adjustments Made to Address Handling Issues
Phil Surgen’s tactical moves during the race aimed to improve the Chevy’s handling and forward momentum. When adjustments started to take effect, Chastain was able to advance through the pack, but it happened too late to contend for a higher finish. The setback forced Chastain to accept ninth place, a result beneath his expectations for such a critical playoff opener.
“We started the race just way too tight,” Chastain told USA Network. “Long day of adjustments for the 1 boys, the Kubota Chevy. Phil Surgen (took) some wedge out of it to get it turning, and then I had to keep dealing with the (corner) exit because we never had good forward drive like we thought we would. When we were too tight, we went backwards, and when it started turning better, I magically went forward. Cool to be disappointed with ninth.”
— Ross Chastain, NASCAR Cup Series Driver
Race Outcome Places Chastain Just Outside Playoff Cut Line
Currently positioned just below the playoff cut line with two races remaining in the Round of 12, Chastain faces increasing pressure to improve his results. His next challenge will be at the Kansas Speedway on September 28, where he enters as the defending winner of the fall race. Securing another win at this 1.5-mile track would advance Chastain into the Round of 8, marking his best playoff progression since 2022.
Background and Coverage Details
Ross Chastain shares roots with NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, hailing from the same region. NASCAR coverage for this story has been provided by Samuel, a journalist with Yardbarker since February 2024 and member of the National Motorsports Press Association since October 2024. Beyond NASCAR, Samuel also reports on Arkansas Razorback basketball.
The result at New Hampshire highlights how quickly fortunes can shift in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, as adjustments on the track and evolving conditions shape the outcome. Chastain’s response to this setback and performance at Kansas will be critical to his championship hopes moving forward.
