NASCAR officials have officially addressed the actions of Trackhouse Racing drivers Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen at World Wide Technology Raceway (Gateway) on September 7, 2025.
During the cooldown lap, both drove through the grass, sparking speculation that they were attempting to manipulate post-race inspections by adding debris to their cars.
While no penalties were issued, NASCAR confirmed it would discuss the incident with Trackhouse Racing management and crew chiefs to clarify the rules and prevent future issues.
“Oh, yeah, we’ll be having some discussions with track house management as well as our crew chiefs will be given all the team some information regarding that this week. But yeah, no, it certainly is our car. Where we see that, so they can be pretty comfortable. per Brad Moran, managing director of the NASCAR Cup Series.
Also on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Brad Moran points out that “We have rules that could put teams in a real bad spot, so we’ll make it pretty clear to them moving forward, starting at Bristol.”
This action is part of NASCAR’s broader strategy to enforce rules that could significantly impact teams, as Moran emphasised the importance of clarity and compliance.
The enforcement of such rules is crucial in maintaining the stability and fairness of races. Especially given NASCAR’s history of implementing technical regulations and penalties, as seen in past incidents.
For example the track limits controversy at the 2003 Aaron’s 499, and the ongoing random testing for substance abuse among drivers, crew members, and officials.
Trackhouse Racing Drivers’ Grass Manoeuvre Sparks Controversy
The incident occurred after a challenging race where Chastain finished 24th, van Gisbergen 25th, and teammate Daniel Suarez recorded a 35th-place DNF. Driving through the grass before heading to pit road caught the attention of fans and drivers alike, as it raised questions about potential attempts to collect grass, dirt, or rubber to subtly increase car weight for inspections.
Driver Corey LaJoie added fuel to the speculation on social media, suggesting that teams sometimes use this tactic to “let your car chief feel a little better” during post-race weighing.
While controversial in NASCAR, similar practices have been observed in other racing series, such as dirt racing.
Reactions from Fellow Drivers and Fans
Hendrick Motorsports driver Alex Bowman noticed the unusual behaviour and radioed his team, saying, “Hey, the Trackhouse cars are driving through the grass. That’s kind of cool.”
Bowman’s comment, while lighthearted, drew further attention to the incident, sparking fan debates about whether it was a clever strategy or a breach of NASCAR rules.
Fans also voiced concerns on social media, questioning NASCAR’s inspection protocols and whether such actions could undermine fair competition.
NASCAR’s Response and Next Steps
NASCAR Managing Director Brad Moran confirmed that the organisation would review the situation with Trackhouse Racing management and crew chiefs. Moran emphasised that NASCAR will provide guidance to all teams on acceptable practices and clarify inspection rules ahead of the upcoming Bristol race.
While no penalties were issued, NASCAR made it clear that actions like these could violate rules and pose risks to teams. The organisation’s response highlights its commitment to maintaining fair competition and ensuring all drivers follow the regulations as the playoffs continue.
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