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Ross Chastain going to backup car after blowing a tire in Coca-Cola 600 practice at Charlotte

JHby: Jonathan Howard05/24/25Jondean25
Ross Chastain Charlotte backup NASCAR
Mandatory Credit: Jim Dedmon-Imagn Images

After a flat tire sent Ross Chastain spinning in practice, Trackhouse Racing is prepping the backup car for the No. 1 team. Chastain had speed in practice, but the damage to his car kept him out of NASCAR Cup Series qualifying.

With the damage and the fact that Ross Chastain is going to start dead last anyway, going to a backup was probably a no-brainer. Still, track position and pit road selection are going to matter on Sunday. Chastain is already at a disadvantage.

Chastain confirmed on PRN before the Xfinity Series race that he will go to a backup. Tough start to the 600-mile weekend for the Trackhouse driver. Alan Cavanna of PRN relayed the information on X/Twitter.

Ross Chastain still has a chance to have a good race on Sunday. His hopes of winning are likely dashed at this point. Going to the backup will mean the setup and feel of the car will have to be dialed in throughout the race.

Having a bad pit stall selection for the Coke 600 is hard, too. There aren’t many “good” pit stalls at the track. Even if Chastain is able to get himself towards the front of the race, pit stops, which there will be 10+ of tomorrow, will likely put him behind the ball all over again.

This season has been tough for Trackhouse and Chastain. Speed in qualifying has not been there. Today was no different. Daniel Suárez was the top Trackhouse driver in qualifying, and he will start P25. Shane van Gisbergen will start P30. 18-year-old Connor Zilisch fires off P33 in his Cup Series oval debut.

Ross Chastain will have to fight his way forward

As he has done all season long, if Ross Chastain wants a good finish on Sunday, he will have to fight for it. Chastain has complained about the lack of speed on Saturdays, making his job on Sundays that much more difficult. Today’s issues won’t help that at all.

The Charlotte oval is a tough race, no matter how many miles long the race is. 600, 400, whatever. The bumps and characteristics of the track make it one of the most difficult to handle as a driver. That’s exactly why Chastain is going to a backup car to begin with.

Ross Chastain may have his work cut out for him. Sunday’s 600 mile race starting from P40 may be more than he can handle. We will have to wait and see how Chastain tries to wriggle his way out of another difficult situation.