Ross Chastain battled handling challenges at the Mobil 1 301 held on September 21 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, experiencing a demanding race day that ended with a ninth-place finish. The result, notable as his first top-10 in the 2024 playoffs, left Chastain reflecting on how far the team has come, using his Ross Chastain New Hampshire finish to set the tone for the races ahead.
Early Race Struggles and Adjustment Efforts
Starting from eighth position, Chastain and the No.1 Trackhouse Racing team quickly faced handling issues, slipping outside the top ten in both race stages. His opening stage ended at twelfth, with the second stage seeing a further drop to thirteenth. The team worked through several car adjustments in a bid to reclaim lost ground, with Chastain and crew working closely to address persistent setup concerns.
“We started the race just way too tight coming out of the Goodyear tire test here. We tried to shore up the entry and exit, and thought we could still make it turn in the center and that just wasn’t the case. So, long day of adjustments for the one boys at Kubota Chevy, and with Phil Surgeon to get some wedge out of it and get it turning.”
— Ross Chastain, Driver
Despite these setbacks, incremental improvements throughout the event allowed Chastain to re-enter contention for a stronger result, even if full stage points evaded the team during the middle of the race.
Salvaging a Playoff Breakthrough
After a lengthy adjustment process, Chastain managed to regain momentum late in the race, ultimately finishing one position below his original starting spot. His performance represented a notable rebound compared to his previous playoff results—having finished eleventh at Darlington, twenty-fourth at Gateway, and nineteenth at Bristol Motor Speedway, all of which fell short of a top-ten finish.
“And then I just had to keep dealing with the exit because we never had good forward drive like we thought we would. So, when we were too tight, we went backwards. And when we had it turning better, I magically went forward. So, yeah, I just took us too long to get any stage points, but, cool to be disappointed with ninth,” he added.
— Ross Chastain, Driver
The ninth-place outcome at New Hampshire not only marks a personal high for this playoff stretch, but it also highlights the team’s capacity to make difficult days more productive, as Chastain remains ninth in the standings, twelve points below the playoff cutline.
Looking Ahead to Kansas and Team Prospects
As the playoffs continue, Chastain’s focus turns to Kansas Speedway, a track where he previously secured a memorable victory. His expectations are high despite a mid-pack finish in his most recent Kansas outing. Chastain has openly stated his ambitions for a stronger showing at the upcoming race.
“Go win. Smashed watermelon there last year”
— Ross Chastain, Driver
This next race at Kansas is critical, as securing another win would enhance not just his individual campaign but also support Trackhouse Racing‘s ongoing title efforts. The team’s playoff challenge now rests solely on Chastain, after Shane Van Gisbergen was eliminated following a string of back-of-field results in the earlier playoff round.
Although Chastain represents the squad’s final hope in these playoffs, both he and the organization remain motivated. He has also expressed an interest in learning from Kiwi driver Shane Van Gisbergen, particularly looking ahead to the Charlotte Roval, a circuit that suits his teammate’s strengths. With only the Coca-Cola 600 as his sole win this season so far, Chastain’s objectives for the rounds ahead are clear—improve consistency, adapt quickly, and aim for the kind of finish that could extend his playoff journey.
Chastain’s perseverance and the ongoing development of the No.1 Chevrolet are under close scrutiny as the playoffs progress. Fans and competitors alike will be watching to see if adjustments made at New Hampshire and lessons from earlier setbacks can translate to a stronger position in the coming weeks, especially at Kansas Speedway where the team hopes their recent experiences deliver a decisive edge.
