Quick Read
- Trackhouse Racing drivers Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen drove through the grass post-race, raising NASCAR’s concerns.
- Speculation suggests the move aimed to gain weight for post-race inspection, though no penalties were issued.
- Both drivers are in the playoffs, with Chastain above the cutline and Van Gisbergen below heading into Bristol.
Trackhouse Racing has found itself under the NASCAR spotlight following controversial post-race actions during last weekend’s NASCAR Cup Series Enjoy Illinois 300 at World Wide Technology Raceway (WWT) in Madison, Illinois. The team’s playoff drivers, Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen, drove their cars through the grass after the race—a move that has raised eyebrows across the racing community and prompted NASCAR to take action.
Trackhouse Drivers’ Post-Race Actions Raise Concerns
The incident occurred during the cool-down lap after the 300-mile race at WWT Raceway. Both Chastain and Van Gisbergen, who finished 24th and 25th respectively, were observed driving through the grass before entering pit road. NASCAR officials and spectators alike questioned the intent behind this maneuver. Speculation arose that the drivers may have been attempting to add weight to their cars by picking up grass, dirt, or debris, which could potentially help them pass post-race weight inspections.
Brad Moran, NASCAR Cup Series Managing Director, addressed the issue during an interview with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, stating, “We’ll be having some discussions with Trackhouse management, as well as their crew chiefs. It certainly caught our radar, and we have rules that could put the teams in a real bad spot when we see that. So, we’ll make it pretty clear to them, moving forward, starting at Bristol, what that means.”
The actions of Chastain and Van Gisbergen have sparked a broader conversation about the lengths teams go to in order to comply with NASCAR’s stringent weight regulations. As Toby Christie reports, drivers often pick up rubber chunks from the track surface to meet weight requirements, but driving through the grass is an unusual and controversial method.
Implications for Playoff Contenders
The timing of this controversy couldn’t be more critical for Trackhouse Racing. Both drivers are competing in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, where every point matters. Currently, Chastain sits 19 points above the cutline, while Van Gisbergen finds himself 15 points below it. The upcoming race at Bristol Motor Speedway will serve as the final event in the Round of 16, with only 12 drivers advancing to the next round.
Van Gisbergen faces a challenging task at Bristol, needing a strong finish to avoid elimination. Meanwhile, Chastain’s position is relatively safer but not guaranteed. As Motorsport.com notes, the controversy surrounding their post-race actions adds an extra layer of pressure for the team as they prepare for the high-stakes race on Saturday night.
NASCAR has confirmed that no penalties will be issued for the Gateway incident, but the organization plans to remind all teams of the rules to ensure fair play moving forward. “We lean on the side of safety and feel the penalty system in place is adequate,” Moran explained, emphasizing the importance of maintaining integrity during the playoffs.
Reactions from the NASCAR Community
The incident has sparked mixed reactions within the NASCAR community. Alex Bowman, a fellow playoff contender, was the first to notice and report the unusual behavior by the Trackhouse drivers. “Hey, the Trackhouse cars are driving through the grass. That’s kind of cool,” Bowman remarked over his team radio, as reported by The Express. While Bowman’s observation did not lead to formal accusations, it drew attention to the potential implications of such actions.
Veteran driver Corey LaJoie also weighed in, suggesting that the move may have been an attempt to “pick up a couple pounds of grass, rocks, [or] rubber” to pass the post-race scales. This sentiment was echoed by fans and analysts, many of whom pointed out the fine line between strategy and rule-bending in the playoffs.
Trackhouse Racing has yet to issue an official statement addressing the incident. However, the team’s performance at Gateway left much to be desired, with neither Chastain nor Van Gisbergen finishing in the top 20. As Daily Downforce highlights, the controversy overshadowed what was already a disappointing day for the team, which also saw their third driver, Daniel Suárez, finish 35th after a collision with Chase Briscoe.
NASCAR’s Response and Future Outlook
Moving forward, NASCAR intends to clarify its rules regarding post-race conduct to prevent similar incidents. The high-banked, concrete Bristol Motor Speedway, which lacks infield grass, will make such tactics impossible this weekend. However, NASCAR’s decision to address the matter publicly signals a zero-tolerance approach for any actions that could undermine the sport’s integrity.
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol, scheduled for Saturday, September 13, at 7:30 PM ET, will be a pivotal moment for Trackhouse Racing and its drivers. With playoff elimination on the line, all eyes will be on Chastain and Van Gisbergen to see how they respond under pressure.
As NASCAR gears up for its first elimination race of the 2025 playoffs, the Trackhouse Racing controversy serves as a reminder of the high stakes and intense scrutiny that define the postseason. The outcome at Bristol will not only determine the fate of Chastain and Van Gisbergen but also set the tone for the remainder of the championship battle.