Chase Pistone, Former NASCAR Driver, Dead at 42

The racer and grandson of NASCAR veteran Tiger Tom Pistone is remembered as a mentor and fierce competitor on and off the track.

The racing world is mourning the loss of former NASCAR driver who has died at the age of 42.

News of Pistone’s passing was shared by his brother Nick, who posted an emotional message announcing the loss of what he called his “young brother and best friend.”

“I’m broken-hearted and don’t know if I’ll ever get over this,” he wrote. “I miss you, Chase, already, and I hope you are in a better place.”

The family confirmed the news through racing community outlets, asking that resources such as the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline be shared alongside the announcement.

Pistone came from a well-known motorsports family. He was the grandson of a NASCAR veteran who competed during the sport’s early decades and remains one of its oldest living figures at 96 years old.

Following in his grandfather’s tire tracks, Chase Pistone built a career across several stock-car racing circuits.

He competed in 10 NASCAR-sanctioned races, including:

  • Six races in the NASCAR Truck Series

  • Four races in the O’Reilly Series

His best finish came in 2014 when he placed ninth at the Toyota 200 at World Wide Technology Raceway in Madison, Illinois.

While his NASCAR appearances were limited, Pistone remained deeply involved in grassroots racing and development programs.

Beyond driving, Pistone was known throughout the racing community for helping younger drivers break into the sport.

He operated CP Inc., a racing business focused on building and repairing stock cars and supporting development teams. Through his Chase Pistone Inc. Legends team, he became a regular presence at regional tracks.

According to Legends Nation, Pistone and his team frequently competed at a high level in Legends and Late Model racing, often leaving with trophies.

“Chase was not only a wheelman in Legends and Late Models, but his team was a force every time they showed up at a track,” the outlet wrote.

Tributes quickly poured in from across the racing world.

RFK Racing described Pistone as both a talented racer and a mentor who dedicated time and knowledge to young competitors.

“He poured his passion into the next generation,” Murphy wrote.

In addition to his NASCAR appearances, Pistone competed in the ARCA Re/Max Series during the 2006 and 2007 seasons, gaining valuable experience in one of stock car racing’s top development leagues.

While he never reached full-time national prominence, drivers like Pistone form the backbone of American motorsports competing at regional levels, supporting teams, and keeping local racing communities thriving.

Stock-car racing remains one of the most popular spectator sports in the United States, drawing millions of fans annually across NASCAR’s national series and grassroots tracks.

For many in the racing community, Pistone will be remembered less for statistics and more for the relationships he built in garages and pit lanes across the country.

Friends and fellow racers described him as someone who loved the sport deeply and was always willing to lend a hand or share advice.

As tributes continue to surface, the Pistone family name remains firmly tied to generations of American racing.

Chase Pistone carried that legacy forward both behind the wheel and in helping the next generation chase their own checkered flags.

If you or someone you know is struggling, support is available through the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline by calling or texting 988.

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