Ross Chastain Eyes Victory at Darlington in NASCAR Cup Playoffs

As the NASCAR Cup Playoffs kick off with the Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, Ross Chastain aims to add another crown to his collection, following his impressive win at the Coca-Cola 600 earlier this year. Chastain expressed his enthusiasm during the Playoff Media Day, stating, “It’s my favorite track. Darlington is at the top of my list. Whenever I think about tracks I aspire to win on and improve, Darlington stands out. The learning journey I’ve undergone since my first time racing there has been incredible, and winning a Cup race at that track is my ultimate goal.”

Chastain has demonstrated considerable skill at Darlington but has yet to secure a Cup victory there. His track record includes finishing between third and fifth in three of the last four Southern 500 races. Just a couple of years back, he came close to claiming victory in the spring race, showcasing his potential.

Chastain’s Complex Relationship with Darlington

Although Chastain’s only win at Darlington came in a Truck race during the 2024 season, his connection to the track stretches beyond this single victory. Darlington played a pivotal role in propelling his career forward. After years of racing with various underfunded teams, he finally received an opportunity to compete in a winning car at Darlington in 2018.

Driving for Chip Ganassi Racing in the Xfinity Series, Chastain started from pole position, won both stages, and led more than half of the race. Unfortunately, his promising run ended abruptly less than 40 laps from the finish when he collided with NASCAR superstar Kevin Harvick. As they battled for the lead, Harvick attempted to pin Chastain behind a slower car, but the maneuver backfired, resulting in significant contact between the two competitors.

Following the crash, Chastain, fueled by frustration, ended up making contact with Harvick’s car. Harvick, the 2014 Cup champion, later commented on the incident, saying, “You’ve got a really inexperienced guy in a really fast car who made a bad move and then wrecked me down the back straightaway and hooked me to the right. That’s probably the reason he’ll never get to drive many of them again.”

Ironically, Chastain is set to mark his 250th career start in the Cup Series this weekend, stepping into the role once held by Harvick as the representative for Anheuser-Busch in NASCAR.

Missed Opportunities at Darlington

Chastain’s ongoing struggle for victory at Darlington has been a recurring theme throughout his career. In 2020, he faced disappointment when he crashed while contending with Denny Hamlin for the win in an Xfinity race at the same track. The following year, he found himself in a similar situation, battling Hamlin again in a Cup race, only to experience another wreck while vying for the lead.

In the previous season, Chastain led the race with 25 laps remaining, employing an alternate strategy, but lost the lead due to older tires. Earlier this spring, he was leading another Xfinity race with 16 laps to go when a slow pit stop cost him crucial track position.

Chastain’s most notorious loss occurred in early 2023 when he was leading the regular-season standings and was the center of media attention. Known as the ‘Melon Man,’ he had recently made headlines for a physical altercation with Noah Gragson during a broadcast. During a race that day, Chastain led for 93 laps and was in a fierce battle with Kyle Larson for the win in the closing stages. Larson, frustrated by Chastain’s aggressive moves earlier in the race, pushed him into the wall. A wreck behind them resulted in a caution, and Chastain was credited with the lead following the yellow flag.

In the subsequent restart, Chastain attempted to retaliate against Larson, but the plan backfired spectacularly. He ended up running both himself and Larson into the wall, creating a massive crash that took out several cars behind them. The incident drew a wave of criticism toward Chastain, particularly from Rick Hendrick, one of NASCAR’s most successful team owners.

Following this tumultuous episode, Chastain took a step back from the aggressive tactics that had characterized his racing style. Over the past two years, while Trackhouse Racing has experienced some fluctuations in competitive speed, Chastain has matured as a driver, approaching races with a more calculated aggression.

Looking Ahead to the Southern 500

Chastain’s performance during the Coca-Cola 600 demonstrated his ability to navigate the field effectively, as he stalked race leader William Byron and executed a well-timed pass in the final laps of the grueling 600-mile race. Despite a challenging summer for the No. 1 team, Chastain remains optimistic about their potential at Darlington. “I felt it in the first corner right off pit road during practice,” Chastain remarked. “As I rolled down into Turn 3 and exited Turn 4, I immediately sensed that the car had grip. From there, it was up to me to make it count. If we maintain that feeling and balance at Darlington, it’s going to be an exciting weekend.”

Should Chastain finally claim victory in the Southern 500, it would carry a significance that surpasses merely advancing to the next round of the playoffs. “It would mean everything to me,” he stated. “Winning at Darlington is like achieving a lifelong dream, akin to winning the Coca-Cola 600, but I rank Darlington even higher. Winning the Southern 500, regardless of when it happens—this year or later in my career—is something I will dedicate a lot of effort to. I understand that my ultimate goal is to excel there, and whether that happens is still uncertain.”

Chastain further elaborated on the implications of a Southern 500 victory for his playoff journey. “If I can secure that win, it would make me feel a lot lighter moving into the subsequent races at World Wide Technology Raceway and Bristol than if I were to miss out.”

As the NASCAR Cup Playoffs unfold, all eyes will be on Chastain as he seeks to turn his dreams into reality at one of racing’s most iconic tracks. With a blend of skill, determination, and a newfound strategic approach, the upcoming Southern 500 is set to be a pivotal moment in his career.