Former NASCAR driver Chase Pistone has died at the age of 42, his family announced Monday, sending shockwaves through the racing community as tributes poured in for the accomplished wheelman and beloved mentor.
Nick Pistone confirmed his younger brother’s death in an emotional Facebook post, though the specific cause was not disclosed. Nick and their other brother, Tom, requested that the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline be shared, with the number 988 available for anyone in crisis—a request that speaks volumes about the pain surrounding this loss.
“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 in his tribute. “I miss you Chase already and I hope you are in a better place.”
Born August 20, 1983, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Pistone carried racing in his blood as the grandson of “Tiger” Tom Pistone, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series race winner who is now 96 years old. Chase climbed into a race car at just six years old and never looked back, eventually winning more than 80 feature events across Legends, Late Model, and USAR racing divisions. He also captured the Summer Shootout Championship Legends four times between 1999 and 2005, establishing himself as a dominant force in grassroots racing.
Pistone competed in NASCAR from 2005 to 2014, making 10 races total—six in the Craftsman Truck Series and four in what was then known as the Nationwide Series. He drove for NTS Motorsports and Turner Scott Motorsports during his time in the sport. His best finish came at the 2014 Toyota 200 at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway in Madison, Illinois, where he placed ninth in the Truck Series.
After stepping away from NASCAR competition in 2014 following a seven-year gap from 2007 to 2013, Pistone shifted his focus to building cars and mentoring the next generation of drivers. Through his Chase Pistone Inc. Legends team, he became a formidable presence in the racing community. The company provided not just race cars but also leasing programs, setup tuning, and repair services—everything a young driver needed to chase their dreams.
Legends Nation, the motorsports outlet that confirmed his passing with his brothers, described his impact in a tribute posted to social media. The outlet praised his team as “a force to be reckoned with every time they showed up at a track,” noting they routinely left with trophies.
The news devastated those who knew him both professionally and personally. Brian Murphy of RFK Racing expressed his grief on social media, remembering Pistone as “a true mentor who poured his time, knowledge, and passion into the next generation.” Current NASCAR Cup Series driver Bubba Wallace, who raced against Pistone in Legends cars during their younger years, also mourned the loss in a late-night post that reflected how deeply the news hit the racing community.
Pistone’s sister-in-law, Phaedra Pistone, reached out to Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina to request the track honor his memory during their first race this weekend. The historic venue, which held deep meaning for Pistone throughout his career, agreed to the family’s wishes.
In her letter to the speedway, Phaedra Pistone wrote that Chase “had a deep connection to Hickory Motor Speedway” and that the track “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 will honor Pistone before Saturday night’s race, calling him “always in a great mood and a joy to be around.”
Beyond his NASCAR appearances, Pistone also competed in the ARCA Re/Max Series, earning a top-10 finish at Iowa Speedway in 2006 in his only series start. He won a 2007 USAR Hooters Pro Cup Series event at Concord Speedway, further establishing his credentials across multiple racing disciplines. His career touched the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, NASCAR Xfinity Series, and ARCA Menards Series.
After his competitive racing days ended, Pistone continued contributing to motorsports as a skilled car builder, working on both Legends Cars and Super Late Models. As recently as 2024, he served as crew chief for the Stephen Nasse Racing team in the zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Division. His technical expertise and passion for the sport made him a valued resource in racing circles throughout North Carolina and beyond.
The outpouring of tributes from across the racing world reflects the impact Pistone made both on and off the track during his 42 years. His legacy lives on through the countless drivers he mentored, the championships his teams captured, and the winning tradition he established with his Legends program.
If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, help is available 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, or by visiting 988lifeline.org for free and confidential support.