Former NASCAR Driver and Racing Scion Chase Pistone Passes Away at 42
The motorsports community is mourning the loss of Chase Pistone, a former NASCAR competitor and grandson of racing legend "Tiger" Tom Pistone, who has died at the age of 42. The heartbreaking news was confirmed by his family through social media posts earlier this week.
Family Announces Tragic Loss
Chase Pistone's older brother, Nick Pistone, shared the devastating announcement on Facebook, writing: "Well my young brother and best friend is gone. I'm broken hearted and don't know if I'll ever get over this. I miss you Chase already and I hope you are in a better place. I love you and I miss you so much already!!!!!!!"
While no official cause of death has been disclosed, Nick and their brother Tom requested that racing outlet Legends Nation include the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline in their coverage, according to Entertainment Weekly. This suggests the family may be dealing with particularly difficult circumstances surrounding the loss.
A Life Dedicated to Racing
Born in Charlotte, North Carolina in 1983, Chase Pistone was immersed in racing culture from his earliest days. His grandfather, Tom Pistone, earned the nickname "Tiger" Tom during his successful NASCAR Cup Series career, where he secured two race victories. The racing tradition continued through the family, with Chase's brother Nick also pursuing professional driving.
Chase began his own racing journey remarkably early, climbing behind the wheel at just six years old. Over the following decades, he compiled an impressive record of more than 80 feature event victories across multiple racing disciplines including Legends, Late Model and USAR competitions.
NASCAR Career and Legacy
After stepping away from racing for seven years, Pistone made a notable comeback in 2014. He returned to NASCAR competition, driving for NTS Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series and for Turner Scott Motorsports in the Nationwide Series. However, this return proved brief, as he did not rejoin either team for the 2015 season, effectively concluding his NASCAR driving career.
Even after retiring from professional driving, Pistone remained deeply involved in motorsports. He worked as a car builder for Legends Cars and Super Late Models, and operated his own successful racing team, Chase Pistone Inc. The team became known as "a force to be reckoned with" in Legend Car racing, frequently securing victory trophies at competitions.
Remembering a Motorsports Fixture
Legends Nation, in their tribute to Pistone, described him as "a fixture in motorsports and especially Legend Car racing." The outlet noted that "Chase was not only a wheelman in Legends and Late Models, but his Chase Pistone Inc. Legends team was a force to be reckoned with every time they showed up at a track, and they usually walked away with the winner's trophy."
The racing community has lost not just a talented driver, but someone whose entire life was intertwined with the sport he loved. From his early beginnings as a six-year-old racer to his later success as a team owner and car builder, Chase Pistone's impact on motorsports extended far beyond his time in the driver's seat.
As the Pistone family grieves this profound loss, the broader racing world joins them in remembering a man whose passion for motorsports defined his life and career. His legacy continues through the many races he won, the cars he built, and the team he nurtured to consistent success.
