Ross Chastain’s 2025 season showcased determination and unpredictability in the NASCAR Cup Series, with his efforts finally earning him a place back in the playoffs. Driving the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, Chastain finished 10th in the final standings, navigating a mix of breakthrough wins, fierce rivalries, and last-lap drama that defined his campaign, focusing attention once again on the Ross Chastain 2025 season review.
Key Statistics from Chastain’s Campaign
Piloting the No. 1 car under Crew Chief Phil Surgen, Chastain notched 1 victory in 2025, with four top-five finishes and twelve races in the top ten. Despite the turbulent season, he led a total of 83 laps across the 36-race stretch. This marked the first year since joining Trackhouse Racing in 2022 that he failed to surpass 100 laps led but still emerged as the team’s top performer, ahead of Shane van Gisbergen and Daniel Suárez.
Highlight Victory: Overcoming Obstacles at the Coca-Cola 600
The turning point of Chastain’s year came Memorial Day weekend at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte. Starting from the back in 40th due to a crash during Saturday practice—which forced him into a backup car—Chastain battled through the 600-mile marathon. In the final laps, he surged to the front, overtaking William Byron on lap 395 and holding the lead for the last six laps to seize his sixth Cup Series win and his first triumph in one of NASCAR’s crown-jewel events. The achievement was historic, as Chastain became the first driver to win the race from last place on the official starting grid since Hall of Famer Bobby Allison accomplished the feat in 1969 at Richmond Fairgrounds, underscoring his reputation for resilience.
Playoff Drama and Controversial Moments
While his win secured Chastain’s berth in the postseason after narrowly missing out in the previous year, his playoff run was defined by hard-fought battles and dramatic incidents. He clawed his way into the Round of 12 but saw his hopes dashed on the final lap of the Charlotte Roval cutoff race. While scrambling to maintain his championship chances, Chastain made contact with Denny Hamlin in the frontstretch chicane, resulting in a spin that left both cars facing the wrong direction. The sequence concluded with Chastain crossing the finish line in reverse, putting an end to his playoff journey just short of the Round of 8.
Strong Performances and Heated Rivalries
Chastain’s season also featured several standout performances, including a second-place finish at Texas after starting a distant 31st. Despite struggles with the car’s speed in qualifying, his perseverance delivered much-needed results. Tensions rose throughout the year in track battles with Joey Logano, as the two drivers clashed at Martinsville, Chicago, and Dover before ultimately reconciling to put their disputes behind them. At Sonoma, conflict flared within his own team after Chastain tangled with Trackhouse teammate Daniel Suárez, an incident for which he expressed sincere regret.
“It is just conversations. And I’m not gonna let one bad instance get in the way of a lot of good times. One bad time is not gonna affect that for me, and Daniel and I’s relationship will survive. I wrecked him, I mean, he should be upset, that team should be upset. So I went to the crew chief and him, and wanted them to make sure they knew that they knew. I wanted to make sure that, like, it was the last thing I wanted to do. And for the first half of the brake zone, I thought I was fine. And then the second half of the brake zone, I realized I’m going too fast, and I should have reacted better, and I didn’t. So that’s just a non-negotiable to wrecking, spinning teammates out. We had conversations this week.”
— Chastain expressed regret for spinning Trackhouse teammate Suárez at Sonoma.
Changes Ahead for Chastain at Trackhouse Racing
Looking to the future, Chastain will remain with the No. 1 Chevrolet for the 2026 season. However, his partnership with Phil Surgen as crew chief concludes, as Surgen transitions to a new position within Trackhouse Racing. Brandon McSwain, who joins from Hendrick Motorsports after serving as a race engineer on William Byron’s No. 24 team, has been named as Chastain’s next crew chief. This incoming leadership and strategic reorganization at Trackhouse could be the fresh approach the Alva, Florida native needs to consistently contend at the front and lead more laps in coming seasons.
The Significance of Chastain’s 2025 Performance
Ross Chastain’s 2025 season review encapsulates both the highs of a dramatic comeback and the chaos that can define top-level racing. His achievements—breakthrough victory, resilient playoff drive, and handling of adversity—underscore his value to Trackhouse Racing. As changes unfold within his crew, the stage is set for Chastain to aim even higher in 2026, as he strives to convert consistent speed into more wins and deeper playoff pushes, with the eyes of the NASCAR world on every move.
After starting last (40th), Ross Chastain wins the Coca-Cola 600. He is the first driver to win from an official starting position of last since Bobby Allison at Richmond Fairgrounds in 1969.
The race saw 34 lead changes, the most in a Coca-Cola 600 since 2014 pic.twitter.com/qpJfPVKRlF
— NASCAR Insights (@NASCARInsights) May 26, 2025
