During a late-race restart in Chicago, chaos ensued at Turn 1 when Ross Chastain’s car spun sideways. Joey Logano, driving car No. 22, was positioned just behind Chastain at the time, and video footage reveals that Logano and several other drivers were pushed into Chastain’s No. 1 car. Chastain then collided with Logano at the following corner, causing both Logano and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. to spin out. While Logano managed to recover to finish 11th, the incident ended Stenhouse’s race.
Following the crash, Logano expressed his frustration on the radio, criticizing Chastain for repeatedly causing damage. Meanwhile, Stenhouse shared a social media video symbolically referencing Chastain as “Melon Man,” a nod to Chastain’s status as an eighth-generation watermelon farmer. Logano, more direct in his response, confronted Chastain post-race and vented his anger, calling out Chastain for reckless behavior. He described Chastain’s moves as typical and reckless, noting this was not their first conflict; both drivers have had aggressive clashes recently, including incidents at Kota and Martinsville. After the Martinsville run-in, Logano labeled Chastain as someone who “races like a jackass every week.”
Fan Take: This incident highlights the intense rivalry and physical nature that make NASCAR so thrilling for fans, but it also raises questions about driver conduct and consequences. With two of the sport’s most aggressive drivers clashing again, it adds drama and unpredictability that can shape future races and the championship battle.
