Ross Chastain Xfinity Series schedule has shifted after mechanical issues at Dover Motor Speedway forced an early end to his most recent Xfinity race, leading him to skip the upcoming Indianapolis event and plan a return at Iowa Speedway next week. The decision comes as Chastain aims to maximize his playoff position in the NASCAR Cup Series while observing limits placed on Cup drivers’ Xfinity participation.
Challenges at Dover Lead to Schedule Change
Ross Chastain, representing Trackhouse Racing, entered his fourth Xfinity Series race of the season at Dover Motor Speedway, but his race concluded prematurely due to a rear gear failure, resulting in a 38th place DNF. Earlier in the season, he managed top-ten finishes at Circuit of the Americas, Darlington Raceway, and Nashville Superspeedway.
This setback in the Xfinity Series mirrored a difficult afternoon in the following day’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover, where Chastain’s competition ended in a late-race incident at the Monster Mile.
Focusing on the Cup Series at Indianapolis
Chastain has decided to bypass Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. He will instead concentrate entirely on Sunday’s Brickyard 400 Cup Series race, focusing on improving his playoff seeding as the regular Cup Series season draws to a close. His win at Charlotte Motor Speedway in the Coca-Cola 600 during late May has already secured his spot in the playoffs, reducing immediate pressure on Xfinity results.
Brief Absence Before Iowa Return
While previous Xfinity Series starts involved Chastain sitting out several race weekends, this time he will only miss one event. He is set for his fifth and final allowed Xfinity Series race this season, returning to the track at Iowa Speedway next Saturday, which is a quicker turnaround compared to his earlier breaks in the schedule.
Chastain will again pilot the No. 9 JR Motorsports Chevrolet at Iowa Speedway, the same car he has driven for his prior Xfinity starts this year. The Newton, Iowa, oval presents a familiar challenge, as Iowa Speedway rejoined the series in 2023 after a four-year gap, and Chastain has both recent and historical success at this venue.
Chastain’s Iowa History and Next Steps
Ross Chastain placed ninth in last year’s Xfinity Series event at Iowa for DGM Racing and achieved his best results at the track with a pair of fourth-place finishes for JD Motorsports in 2017 and 2018. In the inaugural Cup race at Iowa, he finished in 11th place, demonstrating his competitiveness at the short oval.
The No. 9 Chevrolet will not appear this weekend at Indianapolis, reflecting Chastain’s strategic break. The next Xfinity Series event, the Hy-Vee PERKS 250 at Iowa Speedway, is scheduled for live broadcast on the CW Network at 4:30 p.m. ET next Saturday.
This series of schedule adjustments illustrates Chastain’s focus on balancing his limited Xfinity appearances with a strong push in the Cup Series playoffs. With strict NASCAR rules limiting participation among veteran drivers, Chastain’s strategic race selection could shape his chances for success across both series as the season progresses.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Ross Chastain hit the wall?
A. There was tension with Denny Hamlin, and NASCAR informed him that he had already communicated his message. In the same race, Chastain collided with Chase Elliott, making him spin out. After the restart, Elliott nudged Chastain toward the wall, and Hamlin made a close pass to show his frustration again.
Q. What is the Ross Chastain rule?
A. On Tuesday, NASCAR shared several rule updates for the 2023 season. One significant change focuses on stopping the exciting wall-riding move used by Ross Chastain at Martinsville last fall, known as the “Hail Melon.”
