During the Bank of America ROVAL 400 at Charlotte Motor Speedway’s Road Course, Ross Chastain’s playoff battle came to a heartbreaking end Sunday after multiple mistakes cost him a chance to advance to the NASCAR Cup Series Round of 8. Despite a strong effort to outscore rival Joey Logano, Chastain’s errors in the final stages left him unable to secure the crucial points needed to move forward.
Key Mistakes Undermine Chastain’s Chances
Chastain entered the final stage needing to outscore Logano by a narrow margin to claim the final playoff transfer spot. Early in the race, after the first stage, he lost 15 positions on pit road due to missing a sharp 90-degree turn rejoining the track, starting the stage in 30th place. While he managed to regain ground quickly and chose not to pit during the second stage, this decision put him on the front row alongside Logano at the start of the final segment.
Still trailing by three points, Chastain pushed to close the gap. However, during his final pit stop with 23 laps remaining, he was penalized for speeding on pit road, forcing him to serve a drive-through penalty. This penalty dropped him behind Logano, who had fresher tires, effectively handing his opponent an advantage late in the race.
Chastain’s frustration was evident after the incident. He described his error saying,
“Came out of the pit stall and double [shifted] into third (gear),”
Chastain told NBC Sports after the race. Unforced errors – just terrible.
Late-Race Drama and Final Lap Controversy
Despite the penalty, Chastain mounted a furious comeback, overtaking Logano with 11 laps to go and briefly taking the points lead. Logano’s crew chief, Paul Wolfe, quickly responded by calling Logano back to pit road for fresh tires, a strategic gamble that allowed Logano to re-enter the race just four points behind Chastain.
In the closing laps, Chastain began losing positions to drivers like Bubba Wallace, Josh Berry, and Todd Gilliland. The battle ultimately came down to a fight for 18th place against longtime rival Denny Hamlin. On the final lap, Chastain lost traction entering Turn 7, dropping behind Hamlin, then made a desperate move by driving deep into Turn 16, spinning Hamlin out. In the process, Chastain spun himself but managed to cross the finish line in 21st place, one spot behind Logano, who advanced by a four-point margin.
Throughout the event, the tension and stakes were palpable as the playoff season intensified, leaving Chastain’s team and fans stunned by the dramatic finish.
Chastain Reflects on Missed Opportunities and Team Impact
After the race, Chastain expressed deep regret for letting down his team, which includes nearly 200 employees at Trackhouse Racing, as well as ECR Engines and several partners. He said,
“I would restart the whole day,”
adding,
“Our Busch Light Chevy, Trackhouse Racing, they expect so much more out of me.”
He acknowledged the weight of responsibility placed on him by team owner Justin Marks, stating,
“It’s heartbreaking for almost 200 employees at Trackhouse, all of our teammates, ECR Engines; everyone that makes this go around. Justin [Marks, team owner] hired me to carry this 1 car to drive it and be a leader, and I completely unraveled our day. Completely unacceptable.”
Chastain admitted the pain of not advancing to the Round of 8 for the third consecutive year.
“It’s terrible to get to this level and not perform,”
he said.
When you watch, learn and study for half your life to get here and to fail, it’s a terrible feeling right now. I will wake up tomorrow and go right back to work. It doesn’t make it any better for our partners or any of my teammates that are really upset with me.
Joey Logano Eyes Another Deep Playoff Run
On the other side, Logano secured his 10th Round of 8 appearance, tying with Denny Hamlin for the most in NASCAR Cup Series history. Reflecting on the close race with Chastain, Logano acknowledged the intensity, stating,
I knew we were within a point and it was going to be tight and Ross was going to do whatever he had to do to make it happen,
while admitting,
“We just weren’t fast enough today with our car.”
Logano praised crew chief Paul Wolfe for his strategic calls, especially the decision to execute a three-stop final stage and the timely late-race pit stop. He said,
Proud of Paul Wolfe. He made some really hard calls today. Three-stopping the [final stage] with an audible at the end because our fall off was a little too much. Making that call at the end is ultimately what kept us in the game with just a few left. That’s a championship performance for the team.
Denny Hamlin’s Role in the Final Lap Duel
Hamlin, who finished just ahead of Chastain in 20th, also played a pivotal role in the race’s conclusion. When asked about his decisions during the final lap, Hamlin’s response was cautious but firm:
I would have made the best decision for me.
While Hamlin did not confirm whether he would have blocked Chastain’s path, his presence added tension to the closing moments.
After the race, Chastain shared words with both Hamlin and Logano on pit road, underscoring the complex emotions and fierce competition that defined the race’s dramatic ending.
Implications for the Playoff Landscape
Chastain’s elimination marks a disappointing setback for Trackhouse Racing and leaves the No. 1 team searching for answers ahead of the next round. Meanwhile, Logano’s advancement confirms his status as a perennial playoff contender, with his strategic team moves and experience playing a crucial role. As the playoffs progress, the pressure only intensifies for drivers and teams looking to reach the Championship 4.
CHASTAIN WITH THE REVERSE ENDING
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— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) October 5, 2025
