Ross Chastain will be starting from the rear of the field in a backup car after a practice incident at Charlotte Motor Speedway forced his Trackhouse Racing team to withdraw from Saturday’s NASCAR Cup Series qualifying. The flat tire and subsequent crash left Chastain with no option but to miss out on qualifying, putting him in a challenging position for Sunday’s 600-mile main event—a significant setback as Ross Chastain starting from last in backup car now faces a crucial test of skill and strategy.
Practice Crash Forces Unplanned Changes for Trackhouse Racing
During the session, Chastain showed promising speed, but a flat tire sent him spinning and severely damaged the No. 1 car. Without time or resources to repair the primary entry, Trackhouse Racing made the swift call to switch to their secondary backup car. The resulting scramble saw Chastain’s team focus efforts on preparing the new vehicle while forfeiting their spot in Cup qualifying, cementing Chastain’s start from the back.
Alan Cavanna from PRN relayed Chastain’s own confirmation on Saturday, as the driver acknowledged on air before the Xfinity Series event that the switch was official:
“Ross Chastain is in the @PRNlive booth for the XFin race. He just said his team will go to a back-up car for the Coke 600”
—Alan Cavanna, PRN Reporter
With the team forced to settle for last on the grid, Chastain’s odds immediately went from challenging to daunting. Track position and pit road selection are vital at Charlotte, and being at the back puts Chastain at a significant tactical disadvantage. The difficulties Compound, as Chastain won’t have a favorable pit stall and must adapt to a car with a completely different feel—setup changes and race-day adjustments will prove critical if he hopes to charge through the field.
Pit Road and Track Position Create Additional Hurdles
Poor pit stall selection is a notorious disadvantage at Charlotte’s oval, making an already demanding race even tougher for those starting at the rear. With as many as 10 or more pit stops expected in the Coca-Cola 600, Chastain could lose ground repeatedly unless his crew executes perfectly. The nature of the event—one of NASCAR’s longest and most unforgiving—only amplifies the challenge Trackhouse Racing faces in salvaging a strong result for the No. 1 entry.
Trackhouse Racing Struggles Continue as Competition Stiffens
This season, Trackhouse Racing has faced numerous setbacks with speed and results in qualifying, and the Charlotte weekend continued that trend. Daniel Suárez qualified as the top Trackhouse driver but will roll off 25th, while Shane van Gisbergen starts 30th. For rookie Connor Zilisch, making his Cup Series oval debut, the weekend’s struggles mirror those of his more experienced teammates, as he lines up 33rd for the long-distance event.
Chastain Faces Uphill Battle in the Coca-Cola 600
Ross Chastain, known for scrapping through adversity, will again be required to climb through the pack on Sunday. The difficulty is multiplied by a lack of Saturday speed and a hastily prepared backup car, adding new layers to what was already poised to be an intense showdown under the lights at Charlotte. Chastain’s vocal frustration with the team’s recurring lack of pace further intensifies the story surrounding his drive.
The Coca-Cola 600’s demanding nature, marked by a rough and unpredictable oval, means Chastain will have little room for error in his bid to make up places. Facing a 600-mile challenge from the very back of the pack, his chances for a top finish hinge on both car performance and the team’s ability to adapt in real time. For fans and competitors alike, all eyes will be on whether Chastain and Trackhouse Racing can overcome the difficult hand they have been dealt, or if Sunday will simply reinforce the struggles that have dogged their NASCAR Cup Series campaign to date.
