Ross Chastain’s future at Trackhouse Racing has drawn attention as the team prepares for a significant restructuring in 2026. Amid changes aimed at reshaping the team’s direction, uncertainty surrounds Chastain’s role and how it will evolve with the organization’s shifting focus.
Potential Effects of Trackhouse’s Upcoming Team Changes on Chastain
Trackhouse Racing is undergoing strategic adjustments behind the scenes, with new programs developing and a focus on bolstering emerging talent. As the 2026 season approaches, speculation grows about how Chastain will fit within the team’s changing lineup, especially as the team builds around newcomer Connor Zilisch.
Kevin Harvick, a seasoned NASCAR driver who has commented on the team’s developments, highlighted the complexity of Chastain’s situation saying,
“I mean, obviously we, we saw Randall Burnett is going to be Connor Zilisch’s crew chief. We, we know that Steve and, and uh SVG are together. That’s an interesting dynamic when it, when it comes down to the one car,”
Harvick said.
He continued,
“Now, when you look at where they were, they ran okay this weekend, at times, but it’s going to be interesting to see where Ross kind of falls in all of this as, as things cycle into next year. Do they leave his team the same? Do they change his team? What do they do with that one car?”
Harvick noted that Chastain holds a unique position in a team heavily invested in the growth of Zilisch and Shane van Gisbergen (SVG). The organization aims to establish these drivers as foundational figures moving forward.
“You see all the effort and everything that’s going into the Zilisch program and they built the whole program for, for SVG. Um, but the expectation is for that one car to consistently run in the top five and win and be the anchor of the team. So, it’ll be interesting to, to kind of see how that whole dynamic works out over there,”
Harvick added.
Uncertainty Surrounds Chastain’s Position As Trackhouse Plans Ahead
With Trackhouse considering a wide-ranging overhaul in 2026, including revising team structures and crew chief assignments, key questions remain about Chastain’s status. His future may depend heavily on forthcoming performance results and strategic choices made by the team management.
As the next season draws nearer, the tension around Chastain’s role highlights how the future of his NASCAR career with Trackhouse Racing is tied closely to this period of transition. The decisions made could have lasting impacts on both the driver and the team’s competitive positioning.
