The current NASCAR Cup Series season has underscored a series of struggles for Ross Chastain, as the last remaining contender fighting for Trackhouse’s championship hopes. The intense focus on Ross Chastain racing challenges comes amid inconsistent performance from Trackhouse’s Chevrolets on oval tracks, contrasting with their road course dominance through Shane van Gisbergen, and forcing Chastain to push beyond his car’s limitations.
As the series heads deeper into a critical phase, veteran NASCAR insider and former crew chief Steve Letarte has offered transparent insights into Chastain’s recent setbacks. His commentary not only highlights on-track difficulties, but also shines a light on the team’s internal dynamics, with particular attention to the lack of effective support from teammates and its impact on Chastain’s growth and performance.
Ross Chastain’s Solo Struggle Amid Trackhouse’s Inconsistencies
This season has turned out to be a tough one for the Trackhouse team, especially for Ross Chastain driving the No. 1 Chevy. While Shane van Gisbergen has posted dominant results on road courses, Trackhouse’s Chevrolets have not shown the same speed on oval tracks. This technical imbalance has consistently placed Chastain at a disadvantage, requiring him to go above and beyond to stay relevant in the championship race.
The issue has been magnified by Chastain’s struggles with team support. Daniel Suarez, intended as a key ally within Trackhouse, has faced challenges and will depart at season’s end after not meeting expectations. Meanwhile, Shane van Gisbergen sets the pace on road circuits but has yet to match that form on ovals, though he is showing clear development. Looking to the future, rookie Conor Zilisch is set to join the outfit in 2026, but expectations are tempered regarding his ability to provide strong competition for Chastain in the immediate term.
Steve Letarte’s Assessment of Chastain’s Situation
Following the Kansas race, Steve Letarte dissected the unique pressures facing Chastain within his team and the wider NASCAR field. He openly commented on Chastain’s lack of competitive teammates, contrasting this with multi-car operations elsewhere in the sport. Letarte sees this as a major factor limiting the Florida-born driver’s growth, and cited the practical effects of not having a high-speed, consistent teammate during crucial moments in the season.
“For the [No. 1] of Ross Chastain, I’ll be honest, I think the lack of high-speed teammates hurts. 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 Analyst
Letarte went on to emphasize the mental burden faced by Chastain, particularly when form and results flatten. The absence of a reliable teammate to rely on during challenging weekends has, according to Letarte, transformed Trackhouse into a “one-man team”—a stark contrast to multi-car organizations that benefit from shared data, strategy, and support.
“When you get lost and you can’t see the forest through the trees, you need something to lean on. 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 Analyst
Team Dynamics and Chastain’s Isolation
The lack of internal competition and support has played a significant role in Chastain’s season. Suarez, who joined Trackhouse from Joe Gibbs Racing, was expected to offer both experience and a measure of camaraderie, yet has struggled to deliver on that promise. Shane van Gisbergen, while impressing on road courses, is not yet able to compete on equal footing with Chastain in oval events, leaving the No. 1 car isolated during critical stages of the year.
This dynamic often places additional mental strain on Chastain, as rivals within multi-car teams have the benefit of teammates for strategy, setup feedback, and drafting help. As Letarte noted, without someone to “lean on,” Chastain is left to fend for himself, battling against organizations with greater technical and human resources.
Chastain’s Upcoming Battle With Joey Logano
The emotional and competitive stakes ramp up as Ross Chastain prepares to face reigning champion Joey Logano at the upcoming race at the Charlotte Roval. Logano currently sits 13 points ahead of Chastain, who will need a strategic approach to secure his advancement to the next round of the playoffs.
Letarte’s advice for tackling this challenge centered on maximizing qualifying performance and applying continuous pressure to Logano, warning that every point will matter as the playoff cut looms.
“If I’m the No. 1 team, I am making Joey Logano outrun us. Make Joey Logano protect those 13 points. It starts in qualifying. If I’m the No. 1 and I outqualify Joey Logano, I could take 13 points to (just) seven or eight or nine. Right after stage one, I am making sure that Joey Logano feels the pressure of advancement. Make him advance, right? Don’t give it to him.
Steve Letarte, NASCAR Analyst
Letarte further cautioned against adopting a must-win mentality, expressing concern that such an approach could prompt Chastain to push too aggressively, increasing the risk of critical mistakes.
“Because if you’re Ross Chastain and you think it’s a must-win and you drive off track or you try too hard, then you let Joey Logano coast. The last thing we want is prevent defense. Let’s not let up. Don’t try so hard that you force yourself into a mistake.
Steve Letarte, NASCAR Analyst
The Road Ahead for Chastain and Trackhouse
Letarte’s detailed analysis underscores the emotionally charged and precarious position Chastain occupies—solitary, competitive, and under pressure as the last hope for Trackhouse this season. The teammate dynamic, as highlighted, will remain an unresolved issue for at least another year, with Daniel Suarez moving on and Conor Zilisch set for a developmental role in 2026.
The upcoming showdown with Joey Logano at Charlotte’s Roval will be a litmus test for both Chastain’s resilience and his ability to execute Letarte’s pragmatic advice. For NASCAR fans, the situation reveals the high-stakes reality of Cup racing, where both technical resources and team support can determine championship destinies. As the season continues, the motorsport community will be watching to see if Chastain can rise above these challenges and secure his place in the next round of the playoffs.
