Ross Chastain, a well-known driver for Trackhouse Racing, brought some off-track fun to fans when he was seen at the Houston Texans’ home game against the Arizona Cardinals this Sunday. As part of recent Trackhouse Racing NASCAR news, the team playfully interacted with the Texans online, drawing attention to Chastain’s offseason activities in the NFL atmosphere at NRG Stadium in Houston.
Chastain Spotted Supporting Texans During NFL Offseason
With the NASCAR Cup Series on its winter break, Ross Chastain took the chance to attend an NFL game, joining Houston Texans fans at their stadium in Texas. Chastain, originally from Florida, is a longtime NFL follower and often appears at football games during NASCAR’s quieter months to unwind and engage with fans outside the racetrack. His appearance at NRG Stadium was quickly noticed, with cameras capturing the No. 1 Chevrolet driver in the crowd as Houston sought to strengthen its playoff push late in the NFL season.
The Houston Texans’ official X account acknowledged Chastain’s presence with a spirited video and message:
“NASCAR Driver @RossChastain in the house 🤘”
The friendly moment sparked a humorous response from Trackhouse Racing, which reposted the video and lightheartedly asked the Texans:
“Can you put him in for one play, please @HoustonTexans”
The Texans responded on the field with an impressive 40-20 win, powered by quarterback C.J. Stroud, who threw for 260 yards and three touchdowns. This victory advanced Houston to a 9-5 record and put them in seventh place within the AFC, keeping hopes high for the postseason as three games remained in their regular season.
Links Between Chastain and the NFL Go Beyond a Single Game
This trip to Houston wasn’t Chastain’s only NFL appearance. In September, he attended the Buffalo Bills contest against the Miami Dolphins, just before participating in a NASCAR race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway. That same night, Bills quarterback Josh Allen achieved his 200th career touchdown pass. Chastain has previously said that he feels a connection to Allen because of their rural backgrounds, even sharing a memorable moment tossing a watermelon from the stadium balcony after the game.
Chastain Set to Lead Trackhouse Racing Into 2026 Season
Looking ahead, Trackhouse Racing’s lineup will lean on Chastain’s experience as he heads into the 2026 Cup Series as their senior driver. Shane van Gisbergen will return full-time following a strong rookie run, and Connor Zilisch is poised to make his Cup debut in the No. 88 Chevy. This evolving driver roster places Chastain in a leadership position, providing mentorship to his younger teammates during the coming season.
Brandon McSwain Joins as Chastain’s New Crew Chief
After finishing 10th in the 2025 Cup Series standings and falling just short of the playoffs—despite a key win at the Coca-Cola 600—Chastain became Trackhouse Racing’s top points scorer for the season. This performance prompted a shakeup, with Brandon McSwain named as his new crew chief for 2026 while Phil Surgen moves to a different role within the organization.
McSwain comes to Trackhouse Racing from Hendrick Motorsports, where he previously served as a race engineer on William Byron’s No. 24 team. Both Florida natives, Chastain and McSwain have crossed paths early in Chastain’s career, and their professional reunion has generated excitement in the garage.
“I’m thrilled to have Brandon McSwain as my crew chief next year,” Chastain said in a press release. “I worked with Brandon very early in my career and he has a lot of talent and experience as a race engineer. He’s someone I’ve kept my eye on for a while in case the chance to work together ever came to fruition and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Stable Sponsorships Signal Confidence at Trackhouse
Stability off the track is also apparent for Ross Chastain. Moose Fraternity has extended its backing through 2027, and while final confirmation is pending, Busch Light is expected to remain the No. 1 car’s primary sponsor. Meanwhile, Red Bull will feature prominently across other Trackhouse Cup entries throughout the 2026 season, signifying robust commercial support for the team’s efforts on NASCAR’s largest stage.
As the team heads into the next Cup Series season, Trackhouse Racing and Ross Chastain are positioned to attract more attention from both motorsports and football fans alike. Their ability to blend NASCAR culture with other major American sports demonstrates the broad appeal of the team, ensuring that Trackhouse Racing NASCAR news remains a keen focus for followers of both racing and the NFL.
NASCAR Driver @RossChastain in the house 🤘 pic.twitter.com/YpTzgwCx6r
— Houston Texans (@HoustonTexans) December 14, 2025
