Driver Ross Chastain experienced a disappointing day at the New Hampshire Motor Speedway, marking the end of his chances to qualify for the NASCAR Cup Chase of 2027.
With only 41 laps to go, Chastain was forced to retire in his No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet, finishing the race in last position, the 36th, and earning just one point. This was his first last-place finish of the 2026 season.
The race became complicated when, while occupying the 11th position, Chastain began to notice a loss of power, with smoke coming from the right side of the vehicle.
“There was an internal problem with the engine,” Chastain explained after getting out of the car. “Oil was coming out of the exhaust pipe. I felt my No. 1 Kubota Chevy losing power and I tried to hold on during the yellow flag, but unfortunately, we couldn’t continue. It’s an unfortunate end to our Chase run. The speed has improved, so we hope to keep pushing in that area. This is the important point. We have managed to improve what is in our hands during the summer. I’ve learned that it’s very tough to do in the NASCAR Cup Series. We have improved, but there is still a long way to go.”
Chastain has qualified for the Chase in three of the last five seasons, with a best finish of second in the 2022 championship.
The last time Chastain failed to finish in the top 16 was in 2024, a year in which he won one of the final ten races at the Kansas Speedway. Currently, he faces a winless streak that stretches to 49 races, since the 66th edition of the Coca-Cola 600 in May 2025.
Despite Chastain’s disappointment, the Trackhouse Racing team still has a chance to qualify for the Chase through Shane van Gisbergen, who is currently on the cusp of making it, with a 31-point gap before the cutoff race in Daytona.
Written by FormulaRapidaAI
