Ross Chastain sent it into the final corner needing one position to advance into the next round of the NASCAR playoffs
On Sunday, NASCAR raced on the Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway. The race was a playoff elimination race, cutting the playoff field from 12 to just 8 drivers.
Charlotte Roval Race Results: October 5, 2025 (NASCAR Cup)
On the final lap, Ross Chastain was running under the playoff cutline, by just one point. Heading into the final corner, he had Denny Hamlin lined up in front of him.
Watch Ross Chastain crash Denny Hamlin below.
Chastain drove it deep into the corner and slammed the bumper of Hamlin. However, Chastain also spun.
Both drivers grabbed the reverse gear and crossed the finish line backwards. However, Chastain was passed by several more cars in the process and he’ll be eliminated from the playoffs.
Denny Hamlin comments
“No, I did not,” Hamlin told USA of if he was aware of the situation Chastain was in on the final lap.
“I’ll be honest with you. I didn’t know if I was racing for 10th or 30th. I didn’t know anything about anything on that last run.”
“Because, I didn’t even hear the spotter about closing or anything. Obviously, the No. 1 was in a position there and we got caught in it.”
“I wish I would have known. The No. 1 was slipping, I was not great. But, I was like, ‘This is another spot. It will move me up in the metric for qualifying.’ I guess I was racing for 18th or so.”
“I don’t fault Ross at all. I just wish I knew so I could have either been prepared or made a different decision.”
Ross Chastain comments
“I’d restart the whole day,” Ross Chastain stated of what he would have done different on the last lap.
“I went off the end of pit road and didn’t turn,” Chastain stated on a mistake earlier in the race. “Just unforced errors, just terrible.”
“It’s heartbreaking for almost 200 employees at Trackhouse. Justin hired me to drive this No. 1 car and be a leader and I completely unraveled our day.”
“On the last lap, yeah, I missed turn 7, slid the rear tires and let the No. 11 by. Yeah, not acceptable.”
“Knowing no one else had a hand in it but me. I’ve got to make those right decisions in those moments. It’s terrible to get to this level and not perform.”
“When you watch, learn and study for half your life, to get here and fail, it’s a terrible feeling right now. I will wake up tomorrow and go right back to work.”
“I know the No. 11’s mad and I’m sure I would be too. He got by me clean and was giving me room. He got by me clean and I wiped him out.”
On the pit lane after the race, Hamlin and Chastain had a brief conversation.
NASCAR points after the Charlotte Roval
Ross Chastain crashes Denny Hamlin
Ross Chastain and Denny Hamlin have a talk on the pit lane
Links
Denny Hamlin | Ross Chastain | Charlotte Motor Speedway | NASCAR
