Ross Chastain Spins Wildly Following Clash with Austin Cindric

Ross Chastain went for a spin after making contact with Austin Cindric during the NASCAR All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro Speedway on May 18, 2025. Cindric’s car made contact with Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet, sending Chastain into the wall and bringing out a caution.

The race at North Wilkesboro, a 0.625-mile short track, featured many aggressive moves and close battles as drivers fought for position throughout the 250 laps. Earlier in the race, Chastain was part of a dramatic three-wide battle for the lead, showing his willingness to challenge for every spot. For more on the history of short-track racing, check out NASCAR’s official short-track racing guide.

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Brad Keselowski and Christopher Bell were also among the contenders, swapping the lead in the opening laps. Daniel Suárez contributed to the action by smacking the outside wall and causing the day’s first caution, highlighting the unpredictable nature of short track racing in the All-Star event.

The competition was fierce over the course of the race, with multiple cautions and lead changes. Kyle Larson’s quick pit stop for two tires set up another critical restart mid-race, but everything changed in the closing laps. Larson had been building momentum all season, coming off his recent Indy 500 confidence boost. To learn more about the challenges of balancing IndyCar and NASCAR schedules, visit IndyCar’s official site.

Christopher Bell made a bold move to pass Joey Logano for the lead with just ten laps remaining. Bell pulled ahead for the win, holding off challenges as Logano and others tried to reel him in.

Ross Chastain recovered from his spin to finish third, behind Bell and Logano. Alex Bowman and Chase Elliott rounded out the top five, while notable competitors like William Byron and Kyle Busch finished inside the top ten.

Austin Cindric, who made contact with Chastain, crossed the line in 18th. The field included strong performances from drivers such as Chase Briscoe, Chris Buescher, and Tyler Reddick, who all managed to finish inside the top ten.

The 2025 All-Star Race at North Wilkesboro saw a mix of fortunes for drivers as strategy and timing played major roles. Multiple caution periods, including Chastain’s spin and a wreck involving Keselowski, kept crew chiefs busy and tested the teams’ ability to adapt. For deeper insights into race strategy, explore Racing Reference’s statistical analysis.

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Tire choices became critical late in the race, as clean restarts and daring passes determined the final running order. This year’s event underlined the unpredictable and competitive environment that defines the NASCAR All-Star Race qualifying.

Aggressive moves, quick pit strategy decisions, and late-race passes combined to create memorable moments. Christopher Bell ultimately claimed the top spot, earning a hard-fought victory and a highlight for the 2025 season.

As the dust settled at North Wilkesboro, the results reflected the determination and skill of the drivers. Fans witnessed a fast-paced, hard-fought race where every lap counted.

Chastain’s spin, caused by contact with Cindric, was just one dramatic moment among many in a night that delivered excitement from start to finish. For more on NASCAR’s safety innovations following such incidents, visit the NHTSA’s motorsports safety page.

John Martinez

John Martinez delivers real-time NASCAR Cup Series and Truck Series news, from live race updates to pit-lane strategy analysis. A graduate of the University of Northwestern Ohio’s Motorsports Technology program, he breaks down rule changes, driver tactics, and championship points with crystal-clear reporting.