5 NASCAR drivers feat. Ross Chastain with longest active streak without a mechanical DNF

Ross Chastain, along with four other Cup Series drivers, has found himself on a list shared by NASCAR Insights on X that shows the longest streaks without a mechanical or engine DNF.

A mechanical DNF happens when a car fails to finish a race because something in the engine or another key system breaks.

#5. John H. Nemechek

Fifth on the list with 113 starts since his last mechanical or engine DNF.

#4. Joey Logano

Fourth with 115 starts since his last mechanical or engine DNF. His most recent one came at Bristol in September 2022.

#3. Austin Dillon

Third with 126 starts since his last mechanical or engine DNF. His last one happened at Road America in July 2022.

#2. Ross Chastain

Second with 135 starts since his last mechanical or engine DNF. His last one came during the Bristol Dirt Race in April 2022.

#1. Chris Buescher

First, with 221 starts since his last mechanical or engine DNF, which occurred at Dover in October 2019.

Talking about the NASCAR Cup cars' engines, the engines are custom-built, naturally aspirated 358 cubic inch V8 units. They use a pushrod OHV layout and make up to 670 horsepower on most tracks.

On superspeedways, the power drops to around 510 horsepower due to a spacer that limits air going into the engine. Fuel comes through a single four-barrel carburetor.

Teams monitor the engine through an ECU in the cockpit. A dry sump system keeps oil pressure steady, and cooling air enters through the front grille, which then runs through the radiator and exits over the hood.

Exhaust gases leave through headers on both sides of the car. Chevrolet, Ford, and Toyota build the engines under strict rules, and each one must last through practice, qualifying, and the race. Most of these are designed to survive around 800 miles.

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Ross Chastain starting opens a much bigger schedule for 2026

The new rule changes for 2026 give Ross Chastain more chances to race. Cup drivers can now enter up to 10 races in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series along with 8 races in the Truck Series. With 38 Cup events included, Ross Chastain can compete in as many as 56 races next year. Ross Chastain told FanBuzz,

“The road to 56 starts now. Yeah, we’re already working on it. I think it’s the best thing I can do, and Trackhouse (Racing) is in full support of it.”

Earlier in his career, Ross Chastain raced almost every week. In 2019 he made 77 starts across Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks. He told Fanbuzz that he might have even taken part in a start and park entry that season.

His goal in 2026 is different. Trackhouse wants him in strong cars every time he races. He will run for JR Motorsports in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Niece Motorsports in the Truck Series. Both teams expect competitive results.

“We’re not start and parking. Trackhouse expects me to be fast on Saturday and Sunday. They’re trying to put me in the best cars on Sunday. There’s an expectation out of the other teams I drive for. So it’s got to be quality. Early in my career, I was quantity 99% of the time. Now, I’m quality.”

Ross Chastain finished fourth in a Truck race at Charlotte earlier this year, then won the Coca-Cola 600 the next day in a backup Cup car. With strong support and a bigger schedule, Chastain heads into 2026 with big plans.

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Edited by Tushhita Barua