Chastain’s commanding performance in last fall’s Phoenix race, leading 157 of 312 laps, remains a standout memory despite being sidelined from playoff contention. This unexpected turn of events allowed Ryan Blaney to clinch the Cup Series title as runner-up.
However, the victory, coupled with Trackhouse Racing’s impressive start to the 2024 season, positions Chastain favorably for a potential repeat triumph in Sunday’s race.
Reflecting on his Phoenix win in November, Chastain acknowledged its profound impact on his off-season preparations. “It made a lot of things in the off-season a lot easier than they have ever been,” he remarked. “I’ve spent so many off-seasons just trying to set my ride up, set my team up, sponsorships up – it’s a total 180 from that. It’s almost indescribable.”
Despite a promising start to the current season, Chastain’s performance has been marred by speeding penalties in each of the first three races. Although a strategic pit call in Las Vegas propelled him to a commendable fourth-place finish, Chastain expressed frustration at missed opportunities for early-season victories due to these penalties.
Recalling the Las Vegas race, Chastain lamented, “It doesn’t look like a race-winning car, but in the car, I felt like it was a race-winning capable car to fight with [Kyle Larson and Tyler Reddick].” The regret of potentially squandered opportunities weighs heavily on him: “I just can’t get past it because it’s such an unforced error.”
Despite his disappointment, Chastain remains focused on improvement. Ahead of Sunday’s race, he emphasized the need to address the handling issues of his No. 1 Chevrolet, particularly in long-run situations. Reflecting on past successes at the track, he acknowledged the challenge of replicating previous performance levels amidst evolving circumstances.
“We’re just focused on finding grip,” he stated. “We really struggled (Friday) just for balance. I just did not feel like I had the grip in the car I needed.” Adapting to changing conditions, including uncharacteristic handling issues, remains a priority for Chastain and the Trackhouse Racing team as they aim to reclaim the winner’s circle.
