Kyle’s death is the latest tragedy to shake the NASCAR world. Just months earlier, the racing community was also mourning driver Chase Pistone after his family confirmed his death in an emotional public statement.
What Chase Pistone’s Brother Shared Online
In an emotional Facebook post on March 2, Chase’s brother Nick Pistone confirmed the driver’s death and described Chase as both his younger sibling and his best friend.
He said the news left him heartbroken and struggling to cope, adding that he already missed Chase deeply and hoped he had found peace. But the racing world knew Chase for far more than the tragedy now surrounding his name.
Chase Pistone stands beside his truck during practice at Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, on July 24, 2013
How Chase Pistone Built a Name Beyond NASCAR
Beyond NASCAR, Chase remained active in motorsports and became widely recognized in Legend Car racing, where he competed and ran his own team. According to a statement shared by Legends Nation, he had long been “a fixture in motorsports and especially Legend Car racing.”
The outlet added that his Chase Pistone Inc. Legends team regularly competed at the front of the field and often left events with the winner’s trophy. Nick also told the publication, “I was his biggest fan and I loved him so much.”
No official cause of death has been released. However, Chase’s brothers, Nick and Tom, asked that the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline be shared alongside the announcement.
The hotline provides free, confidential support for people experiencing mental health struggles, emotional distress, or substance-related concerns. Counselors are available 24 hours a day by calling or texting 988.
Bubba Wallace and Brian Murphy Share Emotional Messages Online
Members of the racing community began sharing tributes online. Bubba Wallace shared a message on X describing a difficult morning. He wrote that he woke up around 2 a.m. and came across an “old tune” that affected him emotionally. Later, he realized that the same time coincided with a shooting in Austin.
Bubba also said that a driver he had raced with in Legends cars had taken his own life, adding that the combination of events left him feeling a deep sense of sadness.
In a separate message shared shortly afterward, he continued reflecting on the situation, saying it made him think about how fragile and valuable life can be. He also referenced the song “Nutshell” by Alice In Chains,” and ended the post by sending love to his followers. Bubba did not name anyone in the posts.
Like Bubba, Brian Murphy also paid tribute to Chase in a post on X. He wrote that he was “heartbroken” to learn of Chase’s passing and described him as not only a talented racer but also a mentor who gave his time, knowledge, and passion to the next generation of drivers.
As those messages circulated, his obituary offered a fuller look at the racing career that shaped his life.
Chase Pistone’s Racing Career and Legacy
According to his obituary published on MemoriTree, Chase was a racing driver, car builder, and team owner who spent decades involved in motorsports.
A native of Charlotte, North Carolina, he came from a family with deep roots in the sport. He was the grandson of two-time NASCAR Cup Series winner “Tiger” Tom Pistone.
Chase began racing at just six years old, quickly establishing himself as a strong competitor. Over the years, he won the Summer Shootout Championship Legends title four times between 1999 and 2005 and recorded more than 80 feature race victories across Legends, Late Model, and USAR events.
He evenutally made his debut in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2005 at Martinsville Speedway and later competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the ARCA Menards Series.
Chase Pistone sits in his car during practice at Iowa Speedway in Newton, Iowa, on August 1, 2014
The 2014 season marked one of the most active periods of his career. That year, he competed in 14 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races with NTS Motorsports, earning a career-best ninth-place finish at Gateway Motorsports Park.
Beyond driving, he founded Chase Pistone Incorporated, a company that built and prepared Legends and Late Model stock cars while offering setup and development support to drivers.
In recent years, he continued contributing to the sport as a crew chief, working with Stephen Nasse Racing in the zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Division in 2024. His work both on and off the track helped shape the careers of younger drivers and left a lasting mark on grassroots motorsports.
The deaths of Kyle and Chase marked two difficult losses for the motorsports community within a matter of months. Both drivers left lasting careers across different levels of racing and remained closely connected to the sport throughout their lives.
