Ross Chastain faces an unexpected challenge as he kicks off his NASCAR Cup Series playoff run at Darlington, marking the start of a new chapter for the Trackhouse Racing driver. Following a significant crew change that directly connects to the Ross Chastain playoff team switch, Chastain will have a different pit crew member supporting him during the critical postseason opener.
Chastain, currently 32 years old, completed the regular NASCAR season ranked 11th in the standings. He now begins the playoffs with a new addition to his team—Josh Appleby moves over as his jackman on the No. 1 Chevrolet, a shift that coincides with longtime crew member Shane Wilson switching to work on Daniel Suarez’s No. 99 car. Appleby’s reassignment came amid Trackhouse Racing’s determined effort to boost pit stop efficiency as the stakes rise.
Trackhouse Racing Instigates Strategic Pit Crew Change
This move is a first for Chastain, who has never seen such a shake-up so close to the start of the playoffs, especially given his established working relationship with Shane Wilson dating back to his years with Ganassi and Trackhouse. The timing of the decision follows a penalty Chastain faced at Daytona for
“pitting out of his assigned pit box,”
highlighting how critical flawless execution is as the playoffs begin.
Chastain discussed the change with FOX NASCAR insider Bob Pockrass, noting the practical shifts he faces this weekend.
“Look I’ve worked with Shane my entire career at Ganassi and Trackhouse. So that’s gonna be some difference in just how they’re gonna lay the box out. We’ve got a new tape design that Josh likes and I’m good with it. So I’ll probably get a look at that.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver
The new dynamic requires Chastain to adjust his preparation significantly as he adapts to unfamiliar routines. He underscored this adaptation:
“So I am gonna take some reps this week that I normally don’t. And it’s fresh in my mind that I slipped through the box at Daytona, can’t have that, those are unforced errors.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver
Leadership Decisions Drive the Team Transformation
Chastain provided insight into the decision’s origins and motivations, clarifying that it was not his to make.
“It was a decision by Trackhouse – decisions for people way beyond me,”
—Ross Chastain, Driver. The organization, aiming for heightened pit stop performance, briefed him after finalizing the choice, focusing squarely on how to gain a timing advantage in the postseason races.
The change marks a distinct move from Trackhouse Racing, which previously valued stability on the No. 1 car’s crew. Chastain explained,
“It’s not how Trackhouse has ever operated in my experience. This is a different Trackhouse – tough decisions, but all for the sake of speed…There’s never been a change on the [No.] 1 car for speed.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver
Now, with the opener scheduled for Sunday at Darlington and national attention on the Trackhouse team’s strategic reshuffling, Chastain must quickly build cohesion with his altered pit crew, while Shane Wilson’s expertise transitions to Daniel Suarez’s efforts on the No. 99 Chevrolet.
Implications for the Playoff Season
This Ross Chastain playoff team switch is an unusual move that signals Trackhouse Racing’s willingness to make bold, data-driven decisions when the championship is on the line. With intense competition expected throughout the playoffs, the impact of this pit crew adjustment could play a pivotal role in Chastain’s postseason performance. All eyes are set on Darlington as the NASCAR Cup Series enters its critical phase, with both the team and its driver navigating this complex and unsettled new dynamic.
