Ross Chastain Exposes Trackhouse Racing’s Qualifying Woes

Ross Chastain got real on Trackhouse Racing's incessant struggles to achieve a good enough start for the race in the Qualifying sessions.

Ross Chastain Exposes Trackhouse Racing’s Qualifying Woes

Ross Chastain (Via IMAGO)

Trackhouse Racing has faced massive inconsistencies in terms of performance ever since the beginning of the 2025 season. Despite locking in a full roster of drivers with Ross Chastain, Daniel Suarez, and Shane van Gisbergen, the team struggles to cross the chequered flag as winners. Trackhouse’s challenges lie particularly in the qualifying sessions, as the drivers are unable to start the race from a good enough position. Now, Chastain has revealed the truth behind the team No.99’s woeful outings in Qualifying.

Ross Chastain‘s performance since the beginning of the 2025 season has remained similar to Trackhouse Racing’s woes. Chastain currently occupies the 11th spot in terms of standings in the drivers’ title, with his best finish being a P2 finish in Texas. The No.1 driver has now accepted the fact that Trackhouse’s struggles start early on in the race weekend, over the qualifying session on Saturday.

Ross Chastain believes that Trackhouse’s performance at Texas might be a one-off, as they still struggle in the coming races. The No.1 driver pointed out that he did not want to remain on the list of drivers who score a comeback from behind the track. Rather, he wished to start the race off from a great spot, bolstering his position on the track. The 32-year-old claims that Trackhouse Racing has remained off in their game, which is no secret to the public now.

Just because we were good last week doesn’t mean we’ll continue to be good, I told them, I’m ready to get off these lists because I’m tired of having to pass so many cars. I just want to show up, like every race car driver, have the car closer. We’ve just been off. I mean, it’s no secret.

Ross Chastain told Sirius XM Radio.

Chastain feels that there is no point in sugarcoating the truth and believing that Trackhouse is performing well on the track. As much as he hates talking about it, the team needs to face the reality and ensure that they improve considerably from qualifying in the 30s spot or worse.

The No.1 driver highlights that the current situation is simply unacceptable for the team, keeping in mind all the resources they have available. The 32-year-old raises confidence in the No.99 team’s capabilities to turn the season around and soon return to fighting for the front-row starts in races.

I mean, it’s no secret. We’re not sugarcoating it to ourselves or anybody. And that’s not always been my M.O. to talk about it, but I’ve always been a glass half-full guy, but just consistently qualifying in the 30s in all three Trackhouse cars, not – well, Daniel’s been leading the charge in the mid-20s. That’s just not, it’s not acceptable for what we have, the resources we have. We will, and we’re working, and I believe we will get that turned around.

Ross Chastain added.

Ross Chastain ‘not okay’ with struggling at Qualifying sessions with Trackhouse Racing

Ross Chastain’s best start this year has only been a mediocre P19 start at the Pennzoil 400 in Las Vegas. Chastain’s winning chances are very low and scarce due to his start from the back of the grid. Despite the 32-year-old gaining over 10 or 15 positions on the track, he remains far behind the winning pack. The No.1 driver must start from much farther on the grid if he wishes to contend for the race wins and stay on top of his game.

Ross Chastain
Ross Chastain (Via IMAGO)

Chastain recalled that at one point in his career, he would be very impressed by the results he is scoring now. However, Trackhouse Racing, alongside Chevrolet, has made great strides in the past couple of years to accept such mediocre results. Chastain reiterates that he simply would not stand for the downfall in performance and aims to improve results, especially in the qualifying sessions in the coming races.

It’s not lost on me that not that long ago, I would have been really happy with these performances, but we’ve elevated ourselves at Trackhouse and with Chevrolet to a spot that we’re not okay with struggling at any part of these weekends. Especially when it’s continual and it’s repeated, I’ll say, failures on Saturday, that we’re just, we’re not gonna stand for that.

Ross Chastain noted

Chastain still keeps up with appearances despite facing a disappointing situation over the qualifying session. The 32-year-old is not ready to call it quits yet and hopes for an improvement from Trackhouse Racing towards the end of this season.

The team must work collaboratively with Chevrolet and ECR engines to find the point of error in their pace and immediately work upon them to cover the massive grounds against their rivals.

Also read: Kyle Busch Exposes the Factor That Makes Kansas “Tough All Around”