Steve Letarte Exposes Ross Chastain’s Biggest Weakness

NASCAR insider Steve Letarte shared his thoughts on Ross Chastain’s struggles in the 2025 season and the reasons behind it.

Steve Letarte Exposes Ross Chastain’s Biggest Weakness

Steve Letarte and Ross Chastain (Via nascar.com and IMAGO)

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The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season has been a roller coaster ride for Ross Chastain, who remains as the last championship hope for the team this season. Trackhouse has failed to deliver fast Chevy’s consistently in Ovals, while dominating road courses with Shane van Gisbergen. It affected the No:1 Chevy team the most, as they are forced outperform the car to remain in contention.

After the Kansas race this weekend, NASCAR insider Steve Letarte shared his thoughts Ross Chastain and why he is failing to grow as a racer, considering his true potential. The former crew chief believes not having a fats teammate is hurting the Florida born driver’s progress. His teammate Daniel Saurez has failed to deliver and is set to leave the team at the end of the season.

His second teammate Shane van Gisbergen is already setting the bar for him in the road courses, but when it comes to Ovals he is off no use at the moment, though he has shown signs of improvement. The future also doesn’t seem that promising, considering rookie Conor Zilisch will be joining them in 2026. Tough a great driver, the youngster isn’t good enough to give Chastain a good challenge at least for another year.

For the [No. 1] of Ross Chastain, I’ll be honest, I think the lack of high-speed teammates hurts. I think SVG, when you go to the road course, he is the bar. He had a great run going [at Kansas before finishing 10th]. So, I think he’s improving.

Steve Letarte said via NASCAR on YouTube.

Further talking about the point, every driver needs a teammate that they can lean on when they find themselves caught up in the situation where their form flattens. Suarez should have been the guy that gives the support, but the ex-JGR driver failed in his mission. This made Trackhouse a one-man team, compared to the rest of the multi-car teams.

When you get lost and you can’t see the forest through the trees, you need something to lean on. And I’m just not sure that Ross Chastain has that [in terms of support from Suarez]. I think he’s kind of the one guy fighting against a lot of multi-car organizations.

Steve Letarte added.

Steve Letarte advice Ross Chastain on how to race Joey Logano for R-12 promotion

Going into this Sunday’s race at Roval, Ross Chastain is going against the reigning champion Joey Logano who is 13 points ahead of him. Talking about it Steve Letarte advised the Trackhouse driver to qualify better, remain ahead of the veteran, keeping the pressure on the No:22 team throughout the season.

Joey Logano and Ross Chastain
Joey Logano and Ross Chastain (Via IMAGO)

If I’m the No. 1 team, I am making Joey Logano outrun us. Make Joey Logano protect those 13 points. It starts in qualifying. If I’m the No. 1 and I outqualify Joey Logano, I could take 13 points to (just) seven or eight or nine. Right after stage one, I am making sure that Joey Logano feels the pressure of advancement. Make him advance, right? Don’t give it to him.

Steve Letarte said.

Further talking about the point, Letarte pointed out that Chastain shouldn’t come in with a must win attitude as this might force him to make mistakes, while trying too hard. He should just play the easy game and just defend his position against Logano.

Because if you’re Ross Chastain and you think it’s a must-win and you drive off track or you try too hard, then you let Joey Logano coast. The last thing we want is prevent defense. Let’s not let up. Don’t try so hard that you force yourself into a mistake.

Steve Letarte added.

The comments from the ex-crew chief offers Ross Chastain a solid way to secure his promotion into the R-8. It would be interesting to see how everything going to playout for the star driver next weekend at Charlotte.

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