Ross Chastain at Texans game drew attention on Sunday when NASCAR driver Ross Chastain made an unexpected appearance at NRG Stadium to watch the Houston Texans face off against the Arizona Cardinals. Wearing a Texans jersey, Chastain added celebrity flair to the event, though the specific reason for his visit was not disclosed.
Ross Chastain Shows Team Spirit in Houston
Before kickoff, the Houston Texans shared a video featuring Ross Chastain at the stadium, where he greeted fans and made his allegiance clear. In the clip, Chastain stated,
“NASCAR driver Ross Chastain here for the game today. Go Texans!”
—Ross Chastain, NASCAR Driver. Fans and social media quickly picked up on his presence, as seen in the Texans’ posted highlight:
“NASCAR Driver @RossChastain in the house 🤘 pic.twitter.com/YpTzgwCx6r”
—Houston Texans.
Though Chastain’s motives for attending were not made public, his history in Texas provided a possible connection. In 2022, Chastain captured his first NASCAR Cup Series win in Austin, a city a few hours away from Houston. His appearance at the football game spoke to his ongoing ties to Texas sports.
Texans Triumph as Fans and Players Rally
Chastain witnessed an exciting showdown, with the Houston Texans defeating the Arizona Cardinals 40-20. Quarterback CJ Stroud led the way, passing for 260 yards and three touchdowns. Wide receiver Nico Collins made significant contributions as well, with 85 yards and two touchdowns on three receptions. The victory moved Houston to a 9-5 record, leaving them just one game behind the AFC South-leading Jacksonville Jaguars.
Momentum Builds for Texans and Chastain Alike
The postgame atmosphere was one of cautious optimism, reflecting the team’s push toward the postseason. Stroud commented on the team’s outlook as the season heads into its crucial stretch:
“We’re getting hot at the right time,”
—CJ Stroud, Houston Texans Quarterback. He went on to emphasize their focused approach, adding,
“We’re starting to trend up towards December, going into January. We got to keep this going. But it’s one-game-at-a-time mentality, one-play-at-a-time mentality.”
—CJ Stroud, Houston Texans Quarterback.
Head coach DeMeco Ryans assessed the team’s performance, urging continued improvement:
“We left a lot of the plays out there,”
—DeMeco Ryans, Texans Head Coach. Ryans further underscored the team’s commitment to high standards:
“We have to keep playing up to our standard. That’s what we judge ourselves against, the standard. The standard is the standard. It doesn’t change. So, we’ll continue to look at the tape intently and see where we can get better.”
—DeMeco Ryans, Texans Head Coach.
The Texans are aiming for their third straight playoff appearance, which would mark the ninth time the franchise, established in 2002, has reached the postseason. They continue to chase their first conference championship game berth.
Parallel Ambitions: Ross Chastain’s Racing Goals
Ross Chastain’s journey mirrors the Texans’ aspirations. At 33, Chastain has participated in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs three times in the past four years, finishing as high as second in 2022. This past season, he secured a postseason spot by winning the Coca-Cola 600 in May and concluded the year in tenth place in the overall standings. Like Houston’s football team, Chastain continues his pursuit of a first major championship.
Sports, Celebrities, and What’s Ahead
Chastain’s appearance at the Texans game highlights the connection between professional athletes across different sports, energizing fans and the city of Houston. As both Chastain and the Texans move into pivotal points in their respective seasons, their continued success will keep supporters watching closely.
NASCAR Driver @RossChastain in the house 🤘 pic.twitter.com/YpTzgwCx6r
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 14, 2025