Dale Earnhardt Jr. Predicts Suárez-Chastain Tension Will Continue After Las Vegas Clash

The former teammates' rivalry is here to stay, says NASCAR legend Earnhardt.

Mar. 18, 2026 at 6:55am

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NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr. believes the rivalry between drivers Daniel Suárez and Ross Chastain will continue after their heated clash at the Las Vegas race. Earnhardt feels the two drivers, who were former teammates, are "wound a bit too tight" and the friction between them won't fade away quickly.

Why it matters

The on-track incident and subsequent confrontation between Suárez and Chastain has become a major talking point in the NASCAR world. As former teammates who are now rivals, their ongoing tension could impact future races and the overall competitive landscape of the sport.

The details

The confrontation originally unfolded when Suárez and Chastain were battling for 17th place in Las Vegas. Chastain appeared to flip the finger at Suárez as he passed him on the outside, leading to a heated exchange between the two drivers after the race. There was also another incident during the cooldown lap, where Suárez pulled alongside Chastain and Chastain then 'doored' him down the backstretch.

  • The incident occurred during the Las Vegas race on March 12, 2026.
  • Suárez and Chastain were former teammates until last year, when their alliances changed.

The players

Dale Earnhardt Jr.

A NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer who is now a commentator and podcast host.

Daniel Suárez

A NASCAR Cup Series driver currently racing for Spire Motorsports.

Ross Chastain

A NASCAR Cup Series driver currently racing for Trackhouse Racing Team.

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What they’re saying

“Calling both drivers 'wound a bit too tight,' Earnhardt feels that, given the fact that they used to be teammates and now they aren't, there is bound to be some friction between them, and the rivalry won't be fading away quickly.”

— Dale Earnhardt Jr., NASCAR Legend and Commentator

“Suárez revealed his 'super unacceptable' approach to Chastain's move in the cooldown lap. Given that almost every driver ends up loosening their belts during the cooldown lap, Suárez deemed the aggression 'not good' as it could have led to dire consequences for him.”

— Daniel Suárez, NASCAR Cup Series Driver

“Agreeing to his mistake in the cooldown lap, Chastain claimed that if he could do a rerun of the conversation after the cooldown lap, 'I wouldn't shove him for sure.' Per Chastain, he wanted Suárez to leave and even asked him to do so, but he lost his cool when the latter held his ground.”

— Ross Chastain, NASCAR Cup Series Driver

What’s next

The ongoing rivalry between Suárez and Chastain will likely be a storyline to follow in the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series races, as the two drivers continue to battle on the track.

The takeaway

The heated clash between former teammates Suárez and Chastain highlights the intense rivalries that can develop in NASCAR, even among drivers who have previously worked together. Earnhardt's prediction that this tension will continue suggests fans can expect more drama between the two as the season progresses.