Ross Chastain’s playoff hopes with Trackhouse Racing hang in the balance as he enters Sunday’s race at the Charlotte Roval, needing a strong finish to remain in contention for the NASCAR Cup playoffs. The challenge comes amid a season with inconsistent results from the Trackhouse organization, leaving Chastain facing an uphill battle without significant support from teammates.
Chastain’s Current Standing and Tough Playoff Landscape
This season for Trackhouse Racing has been a tale of highs and lows. The team celebrated Shane van Gisbergen’s impressive string of four road course victories and his qualification for the NASCAR Cup playoffs. However, his postseason journey was cut short after the opening round. Meanwhile, Ross Chastain secured a win and clinched a playoff spot, but his advancement to the semifinals is in jeopardy. Heading into the pivotal Charlotte Roval race, Chastain is 13 points below the critical cutoff to reach the Round of Eight, with only one opportunity left to turn things around.
He must climb past a formidable group of competitors to continue in the postseason. Among those ahead are William Byron, positioned 40 points above the playoff cutline, Chase Briscoe at plus 21 points, and defending, three-time Cup champion Joey Logano with a 13-point cushion. Simultaneously, Chastain needs to outperform other drivers below the cut, including Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and Austin Cindric, all facing nearly “must-win” scenarios on Sunday as they trail even further behind him in the standings.
Declining Performance and Uncertainty Among Teammates
Daniel Suarez, Trackhouse’s remaining driver for the last five races of the season, is also facing his own struggle. The Mexico native, who will leave the team after 2024, has not managed to recapture the form that earned him playoff berths in two of the previous three seasons. Suarez enters Charlotte in 29th place, deep in the points standings, after a difficult campaign marked by only two top-five finishes, six top-tens, and just 33 laps led. With most teams’ driver lineups set for next year, Suarez’s future in the Cup Series remains up in the air, and speculation surrounds the possibility of shifting to the Xfinity or Craftsman Truck Series if a Cup ride does not materialize.
Lack of Team Support Compounds Pressure for Chastain
NASCAR TV analyst Steve Letarte voiced concerns this week about the obstacles facing Ross Chastain heading into the crucial Charlotte event.
“For the [No. 1] of Ross Chastain, I’ll be honest, I think the lack of high-speed teammates hurts,”
Steve Letarte, NASCAR TV Analyst. The analyst highlighted Shane van Gisbergen’s ongoing evolution on road courses:
“I think SVG, when you go to the road course, he is the bar. He had a great run going [at Kansas before finishing 10th]. So I think he’s improving.”
Steve Letarte, NASCAR TV Analyst.
However, Letarte noted that Daniel Suarez’s disappointing season has deprived Chastain of valuable intra-team support, stating,
“When you get lost and you can’t see the forest through the trees, you need something to lean on,”
Steve Letarte, NASCAR TV Analyst.
“And I’m just not sure that Ross Chastain has that [in terms of support from Suarez]. I think he’s kind of the one guy fighting against a lot of multi-car organizations.”
Steve Letarte, NASCAR TV Analyst. With most of Trackhouse’s drivers unable to assist directly, Chastain must rely on his own performance to advance.
Challenges Await Chastain at the Charlotte Roval
Chastain would guarantee advancement to the semifinals with a victory at the Roval, but his track record at Charlotte’s unique circuit does not inspire optimism: over six previous attempts, he secured just a single top-ten (tenth in 2023), regularly finishing outside the top twenty. Given van Gisbergen’s strong road course record, he is anticipated to be in contention, but his efforts are unlikely to directly benefit Chastain’s playoff position. Similarly, Daniel Suarez’s lackluster season means that support from the No. 99 car will be minimal at best.
Chastain Must Rely on Individual Performance Amid Intense Competition
As Sunday approaches, the team’s hopes rest almost entirely on Chastain’s ability to deliver under pressure.
“If I’m the No. 1 team, I am making Joey Logano outrun us,”
Steve Letarte, NASCAR TV Analyst. Letarte stressed the strategy of putting direct pressure on Logano, who currently occupies the last playoff spot above Chastain. He explained the tactics of earning incremental points through qualifying and stage finishes, ensuring Logano feels the pressure throughout the race.
Letarte also cautioned against overreaching in a desperate bid for victory, warning that mistakes could eliminate Chastain’s playoff hopes and give rivals like Logano a smoother path to advancement. The mental fortitude required in these moments is significant, and Chastain’s approach has earned respect from, Letarte:
“Ross is very confident in his identity. He’s very confident in the speed of his race cars, even when they’re not there. He knows what he has. He doesn’t try to make more than what it is. He gets every ounce of it. He will squeeze that watermelon until there’s not a seed left in it. And that’s what he just has to do with the No. 1 car. Don’t go off track, don’t get caught up in somebody else’s mess. Blue collar, grind your way. And if it’s not enough, it’s not enough.”
Steve Letarte, NASCAR TV Analyst.
Upcoming Changes for Trackhouse Racing and Hopes for the Future
Looking beyond this weekend’s playoff drama, Trackhouse Racing is set for significant changes in the coming year. While both Chastain and van Gisbergen will continue with the team, a new name will join the roster: Connor Zilisch takes over the No. 99 car as Daniel Suarez departs. Additionally, Randall Burnett, leaving his role as crew chief for Kyle Busch at Richard Childress Racing, will step in to guide Zilisch’s rookie Cup season as crew chief.
Connor Zilisch’s arrival comes after a standout campaign in the Xfinity Series, where the Mooresville, North Carolina native amassed nine wins, seventeen top-five finishes, and nineteen top tens in just twenty-six races. His dominance in that division has positioned him as a rising talent who could make an immediate impact at NASCAR’s highest level. The addition of Burnett’s experience is expected to provide valuable guidance as Zilisch makes the leap to the Cup Series.
The Charlotte Roval will be pivotal for Ross Chastain’s playoff hopes and potentially define Trackhouse Racing’s current season. No matter Sunday’s outcome, the team is preparing to retool for future success, as they welcome new partnerships and rising talent into their organization.
