Former NASCAR driver Chase Pistone has died at 42, his family announced on Monday, March 2, 2026. The news reverberated throughout the racing community as tributes emerged for the skilled driver and respected mentor.
Nick Pistone confirmed the loss of his younger brother in an emotional Facebook post, though no information about the cause was given. He and their brother Tom requested that the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline be shared, encouraging those experiencing crisis to reach out to 988—an appeal underscoring the deep grief surrounding the tragedy.
“Well My young brother and best friend is gone. I’m broken hearted and don’t know if I’ll ever get over this,” Nick Pistone wrote. “I miss you, Chase, already, and I hope you are in a better place.”
Born on Aug. 20, 1983, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Pistone followed in the footsteps of his grandfather, “Tiger” Tom Pistone, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner. Chase began racing at age six and built an impressive record with more than 80 wins across Legends, Late Model, and USAR categories. He also captured the Summer Shootout Championship Legends title four times from 1999 to 2005, solidifying his standing in grassroots racing.
Pistone competed in NASCAR from 2005 to 2014, entering 10 total races—six in the Craftsman Truck Series and four in what was then the Nationwide Series. He drove for NTS Motorsports and Turner Scott Motorsports. His best finish was ninth in the 2014 Toyota 200 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in Madison, Illinois.
After leaving NASCAR in 2014, after a seven-year gap between 2007 and 2013, Pistone focused on car building and mentoring young racers. Through his Chase Pistone Inc. Legends program, he became a key figure in the racing world. The business provided not only cars but also leasing, tuning, and repair services—equipping aspiring drivers with crucial resources.
Legends Nation, the motorsports outlet that first reported his death with confirmation from his brothers, honored him in a social media message. They described his team as “a force to be reckoned with every time they showed up at a track,” highlighting how often they collected trophies.
Friends and industry colleagues were deeply affected. Brian Murphy of RFK Racing expressed his grief online, calling Pistone “a true mentor who poured his time, knowledge, and passion into the next generation.” NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace, who competed against Pistone in Legends races in their youth, also shared an emotional late-night tribute.
Pistone’s sister-in-law, Phaedra Pistone, reached out to Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina to request a tribute during the track’s first race of the weekend. The historic venue, which held special meaning for Pistone, agreed to honor him.
In her message, Phaedra noted that Chase “had a deep connection to Hickory Motor Speedway” and that it “was not just a place to him—it was part of his life, his passion, and a place filled with meaningful memories for our entire family.”
Kevin Piercy, general manager of Hickory Motor Speedway, confirmed the track planned to honor Pistone before a Saturday night race, calling him “always in a great mood and a joy to be around.”
Beyond NASCAR, Pistone also competed in the ARCA Re/Max Series, earning a top-10 at Iowa Speedway in 2006 in his only start. He captured a win in the 2007 USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series at Concord Speedway, adding to his accomplishments across the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and ARCA Menards Series.
After stepping away from full-time competition, Pistone continued to shape the sport as a respected car builder, working on Legends Cars and Super Late Models. As recently as 2024, he served as crew chief for Stephen Nasse Racing in the zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Division. His mechanical expertise and passion made him an influential presence in racing communities throughout North Carolina and beyond.
The numerous tributes from across the racing world reflect the deep impact Pistone had both on and off the track. His legacy carries on through the drivers he guided, the championships his teams achieved, and the winning culture he fostered within his Legends program.
If you or someone you know is facing suicidal thoughts, help is available 24/7 by calling or texting 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or by visiting 988lifeline.org for free, confidential support.