Chase Elliott crew chief vows payback on Ross Chastain after early spin at COTA: 'Just stupidity'

Not even a lap into Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at COTA and we already have some beef between Chase Elliott and Ross Chastain.

Going into an already sketchy Turn 1, Chastain got aggressive and dive bombed Elliott who went spinning. Elliott and crew chief Alan Gustafson weren’t happy, the latter vowing to get payback on the Trackhouse Racing driver.

"We get a chance to send it, we're sending that 1 car."

The No. 9 team is not happy with Ross Chastain at COTA. pic.twitter.com/k3Eh8pdaNJ

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 2, 2025

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” Gustafson said over the radio. “It’s just stupidity but you know, we’re gonna have to pay that shit back, because I’m over people like that constantly doing dumb shit. When we get a chance to send him, we’re sending that 1 car.”

“No, that’s totally fine. I’ll do what I need to do,” Elliott responded. “But I just need to make sure I wasn’t in the wrong before I do it.”

Drama early at COTA between Chase Elliott, Ross Chastain

Elliott, a seven-time road course winner, started P3. Searching for win No. 8, Elliott will have to come from the back of the pack after the early contact with Chastain.

Last Sunday at Atlanta, it was Chastain who confronted an over aggressive driver on pit road after the race. That driver happened to be Carson Hocevar. Based on what occurred on Lap 1 at COTA, it could be Chastain who receives a pit road visit from an angry Elliott.

Fortunately for Elliott, he rebounded to finish fifth in Stage 1 after staying out for the entire 20 laps. Chastain received a costly pass-through penalty for a crew member over the wall too soon.