Chase Elliott isn’t one to stir up controversy, but when it comes to on-track aggression, he’s not afraid to speak his mind. After a chaotic race at Circuit of the Americas (COTA), where Ross Chastain once again found himself at the center of controversy, Elliott had a pointed four-word response that left no room for misinterpretation.
Chastain’s COTA Controversy—Again
Chastain has built a reputation as one of NASCAR’s most aggressive drivers, and his style was on full display at COTA. In a race filled with bumping, dive-bombing, and bold moves, the Trackhouse Racing driver was involved in multiple incidents that had his competitors frustrated—none more so than Chase Elliott.
During a late-race battle, Chastain’s aggressive driving resulted in contact with Elliott, hindering the No. 9 car’s chances of a strong finish. While Chastain didn’t outright wreck Elliott, the move was enough to draw the ire of the 2020 Cup Series champion.
Elliott’s Subtle Apology—But Firm Response
After the race, Elliott was asked about the incident, and while he kept his response measured, he made it clear he wasn’t thrilled with Chastain’s antics. When asked if he felt the contact was intentional or just a hard-fought battle, Elliott initially offered a diplomatic response, subtly acknowledging the aggression without outright blaming Chastain.
However, when pressed further, Elliott delivered a strong, four-word response:
“That’s just Ross, man.”
Those words, while simple, carried weight. NASCAR fans and insiders know that Chastain’s aggressive style has ruffled feathers in the past, and Elliott’s response seemed to suggest that he wasn’t surprised—but also wasn’t impressed.
History Repeating Itself?
This isn’t the first time Chastain has been involved in post-race drama. His aggressive driving has made him a polarizing figure in the garage, earning both praise for his fearless approach and criticism for his lack of restraint.
Drivers like Denny Hamlin, Kyle Busch, and Kevin Harvick have all had run-ins with Chastain, and now Elliott appears to be adding his name to the list of those frustrated with the No. 1 driver.
What’s Next?
With tensions running high, it’ll be interesting to see how Elliott races Chastain moving forward. NASCAR has seen plenty of rivalries develop over aggressive racing, and if Chastain continues to push the limits, he may find himself in more heated battles with the sport’s top drivers.
Elliott may have kept his cool in his post-race comments, but his words—and his tone—suggest that Chastain’s aggressive style isn’t sitting well with him. Whether this moment blows over or turns into a long-term rivalry remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: when it comes to racing Ross Chastain, Chase Elliott knows exactly what to expect.
