Racing isn’t just about speed—it’s about strategy, resilience, and adapting to the unexpected. Few drivers know this better than Ross Chastain. Whether it’s the high-stakes chaos of Daytona or the tight quarters of Bowman Gray, every lap teaches him something new. While he is fondly remembered for his Hail Melon move on Denny Hamlin in 2022, wall-riding his way to the Championship 4, it’s his close call at Daytona that keeps him up at night.
In the 2024 Daytona 500, Ross Chastain was on the front row with 4 laps to go, and then in 5th with 2 laps to go, setting himself up perfectly for a run to the checkered flag. However, Chastain finished the race in 21st place. How did this happen? And what does Chastain regret from that night in Daytona? Well, the main reason centered on fuel mileage!
Almost, but not quite for Ross Chastain
Daytona is a track of promise and heartbreak for Ross Chastain—frequently in the same race. The excitement of superspeedway racing is exhilarating, but a fine line of strategy, timing, and, naturally, luck accompanies it. Though the No. 1 driver for Trackhouse Racing was agonizingly close to winning, it was the maddening reality of fuel mileage and race positioning that left him with lingering “what-ifs”.
Speaking to SiriusXM NASCAR, Ross Chastain said, “The balance with superspeedway racing is… fuel mileage and trying to make sure you have enough gas to finish the stage, and I actually got to the lead pretty aggressively, burning a lot of fuel. My crew chief, Phil Surgeon, and my crew was sort of putting the reins on me,” he explained. “If I didn’t get up front when I did, which was a little earlier than we had planned… that we would never get there.” It was a risky move, one that would later come back to haunt him.
Let’s paint the picture here. With about 5 laps to go, Chastain escaped a huge wreck behind him as he bolted his way to the lead. He recalled this too, saying, “Not to be in the wreck was amazing,” however, this would ultimately lead to his downfall. As the restart happened with 4 laps to go, Chastain was in the front row beside William Byron and ahead of Alex Bowman. Laps dwindled and Chastain’s car lost its speed because of the excessive fuel had had used to get there. Eventually, as the white flag was waved, Chastain was down in fifth and saw a good run down the inside and put his foot on the gas but got spun out of the race and finished 21st.
Superspeedway racing has always been volatile, but over the last few years, the strategy involving fuel mileage has become increasingly paramount. Teams must plan out each drop carefully, aware that running dry at the wrong time could be the difference between winning and watching another driver bask in victory. Chastain learned this first-hand as he drove hard up to the lead of the group, expending more fuel than his team had originally mapped out.
Recalling the incidents in the race, Chastain added, “We weren’t able to get the outside line pushing good enough,” he explained, saying he was ahead momentarily but that there just wasn’t the momentum there. “I was first, William [Byron] was second, so he took front row, and then Alex Bowman was third, best I remember. He picked behind me to push. We both thought outside was going to be it, and then we discussed it Monday, and it wasn’t.”
That momentary choice—taking the outside lane—proved an expensive one. While Chastain did have a strong run to the white flag, it wasn’t sufficient. “Yeah, I would do things different. Sure, sure,” he conceded. That’s the beauty and the pain of Daytona. It’s a race where one tiny decision can make all the difference, and where a driver can do almost everything right and still fall short. But if there’s one thing Chastain has done time and again, it’s that he doesn’t let setbacks get him down—he learns from them.
With every near miss, every frustration, and every piece of knowledge gained, Chastain gets closer to the day when all the pieces will finally come together. And when they do, Daytona’s checkered flag may have his name engraved on it.
Ross Chastain’s tough introduction to Bowman Gray
For Ross Chastain, Bowman Gray was an entirely new challenge. Before hitting the track for the Clash, his only introduction to the historic venue came through the heat race—a quick preview before diving into the main event. But from the moment the green flag waved, he found himself locked in a battle with Ryan Blaney, a driver known for his strategic prowess.
Starting 17th, Chastain was determined to climb the ranks, but Blaney, who had fought his way up from 23rd, had other plans. With his yellow No. 12 car glued to Chastain’s bumper, Blaney seemed to be playing a methodical game, keeping him in check while steadily advancing himself.
Reflecting on the race, Chastain acknowledged the subtle but effective tactics Blaney used: “I don’t know what he had. I know he had a yellow car. When he got up to me in about 17th… seemed like he was able to push me all the way down the tracks, gently, just stay in my bumper, from start to finish line, all the way round.”
Despite the pressure, Chastain managed to break through, securing a respectable sixth-place finish. More than just another race, this experience at Bowman Gray was special for him. He spoke highly of the track’s revival and its deep NASCAR roots. “I think we’ve got a pretty good one here at Bowman Gray,” he said. “When you look at the history of it and what the France family has done here, this is where the very first race was run.” Bowman Gray returned to the Cup Series schedule after 54 years and did not disappoint, as the electric fans made the Clash a race to remember.
For Chastain, Bowman Gray was a test of patience, resilience, and respect for tradition—a test he passed with flying colors. And as he continues to balance Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series racing, his hunger for victory only grows stronger. What are your expectations from Ross Chastain in 2025?
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