NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Watch: Early calamity strikes in NASCAR race at COTA

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Mar 2, 2025 4:17 PM ET

It didn't take long for chaos to occur in Sunday's EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of the Americas.

As Tyler Reddick and Bubba Wallace led the field to the green flag, Ross Chastain used every bit of pavement available to pull a dive bomb move into Turn 1.

GREEN FLAG and ... that didn't take long Chase Elliott probably isn't very happy right now. pic.twitter.com/5DZ0TGJiTT
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 2, 2025

Chastain found out that eight wheels turn better than four, as his No. 1 Chevrolet careened into Chase Elliott's No. 9, spinning Elliott in the first corner of the race.

"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

Denny Hamlin and Connor Zilisch also had trouble on the first lap, as Hamlin suffered damage to his front fender and Zilisch's right-front tire went flat, forcing the 18-year-old to pit road.

A couple of laps later, Ty Dillon pushed Austin Cindric into the grass on the exit of Turn 20. A frustrated Cindric turned Dillon into the front stretch wall, forcing Dillon to also make an early unscheduled pit stop.

We are four laps in and payback has already happened. Things are wild in Texas today. pic.twitter.com/MxqWlpbsHU
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 2, 2025

If the early portion of the race is any indication, COTA is sure to provide a thrilling finish.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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