Ross Chastain

Chastain started racing at the age of twelve, his interest piqued by his father's hobby racing and other kids his age racing.{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Nate |title=Podcast: Ross Chastain on the 'evil business' of competing for sponsors |url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2018/09/21/podcast-ross-chastain-on-the-evil-business-of-competing-for-sponsors/ |website=NASCAR on NBC |date=September 21, 2018 |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=September 26, 2018}} His home track was Punta Gorda Speedway in Punta Gorda, Florida,{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc-2.com/story/15176269/2011/07/29/local-driver-competing-in-nascar-truck-series?clienttype=printable|title=Local driver competing in NASCAR truck series|date=July 29, 2011|publisher=NBC-2 WBBH|access-date=June 3, 2012|location=Ft. Myers, FL|archive-date=July 2, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170702163802/http://www.nbc-2.com/story/15176269/2011/07/29/local-driver-competing-in-nascar-truck-series?clienttype=printable|url-status=dead}} at age twelve, competing in both late model and Fastruck Series events.{{cite web|url=http://www.abc-7.com/story/15126454/fort-myers-chastain-to-make-nascar-debut|title=Fort Myers' Chastain to make NASCAR debut|last=Colleran|first=Brian|date=July 21, 2011|publisher=WZVN-HD|access-date=June 3, 2012|location=Ft. Myers, FL}} Even those races, at tracks like Citrus County Speedway, Auburndale Speedway and DeSoto Speedway, were run on a tight budget, a theme that carried on to much of Chastain's career in the higher ranks of NASCAR.{{cite web |last1=Allaway |first1=Phil |title=Ross Chastain: Beyond the Watermelon |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2014/07/15/ross-chastain-beyond-the-watermelon/ |website=Frontstretch.com |date=July 15, 2014 |access-date=October 1, 2018}} His short track career saw Chastain scoring over fifty wins in feature events, including the Limited Late Model portion of the 2011 World Series Of Asphalt Stock Car Racing at New Smyrna Speedway, winning three of eight events in the series.{{cite web|url=http://www.ssracingonline.com/Content.asp?ActionID=9&ItemID=999|title=SS Green Light Racing Set to Grow with Ross Chastain|date=January 23, 2012|publisher=SS-Green Light Racing|access-date=June 3, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120211154905/http://www.ssracingonline.com/Content.asp?ActionID=9&ItemID=999|archive-date=February 11, 2012|url-status=dead}}

File:Ross Chastain at Thunder Valley.jpg in 2015]]

After making the move to Charlotte in mid-2011, Chastain took over the No. 66 Turn One Racing entry in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series after Justin Marks vacated the seat. His first Truck race, at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis, was his first race with live pit stops.{{cite web |title=The Dale Jr. Download: 240 - Chastain: A Self-Made Story |url=https://player.fm/series/the-dale-jr-download-dirty-mo-media/ep-240-chastain-a-self-made-story |website=player.fm |access-date=November 14, 2018 |archive-date=April 3, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190403201135/https://player.fm/series/the-dale-jr-download-dirty-mo-media/ep-240-chastain-a-self-made-story |url-status=dead }} He finished 10th in that event."Young driver ready for next step". The News-Press, Fort Myers, FL. August 6, 2011, page C1 Connections in the watermelon farming industry got Chastain four more races, which were marred by incidents at Bristol Motor Speedway and Kentucky Speedway. At Homestead-Miami Speedway, rain prevented the Turn One team from making the race, so the team bought an RSS Racing start and park entry and ran the full race, finishing two laps down. It was later announced that Chastain would compete for Rookie of the Year honors with SS-Green Light Racing in 2012.{{cite web|url=http://www.nascar.com/news/120125/ross-chastain-joins-ss-green-light-racing-for-2012-truck-series/index.html|title=Chastain joins SS Green Light Racing for 2012|date=February 3, 2012|publisher=NASCAR |access-date=June 3, 2012}} Driving the No. 08 truck sponsored by the National Watermelon Association and National Watermelon Promotion Board,{{cite web|url=http://www2.highlandstoday.com/business/agri-leader/2012/mar/07/1/nascar-driver-hauls-the-fruit-for-watermelon-group-ar-366114/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130125033543/http://www2.highlandstoday.com/business/agri-leader/2012/mar/07/1/nascar-driver-hauls-the-fruit-for-watermelon-group-ar-366114/|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 25, 2013|title=NASCAR driver hauls the fruit for watermelon group|last=Carter|first=Chip|date=March 7, 2012|work=Highlands Today|publisher=The Tampa Tribune|access-date=June 3, 2012|location=Tampa, FL}} he scored a career-best finish of seventh in the second race of the season at Martinsville Speedway.{{cite web|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/03/31/2724909/harvick-dominant-in-martinsville.html|title=Harvick dominant in Martinsville truck race|date=March 31, 2012|work=The Miami Herald|access-date=June 3, 2012|location=Miami, FL}} He bested his 7th-place finish with a 3rd-place finish at Bristol in August.{{cite web|url=http://www.nbc-2.com/story/19347488/ross-chastain-gets-best-career-nascar-finish-at-bristol|title=Ross Chastain gets best career NASCAR finish at Bristol|last=Barran|first=Rishi|date=August 22, 2012|publisher=WBBH-TV|access-date=August 29, 2012|location=Fort Myers, FL|archive-date=August 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120826103332/http://www.nbc-2.com/story/19347488/ross-chastain-gets-best-career-nascar-finish-at-bristol|url-status=dead}}

In January 2013, it was announced that Chastain would drive in 15 Camping World Truck Series races in 2013 for Brad Keselowski Racing.{{cite web|url=http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nascar/news/4465422-brad-keselowski-racing-truck-team-ryan-blaney-dave-blaney-ford|title=Brad Keselowski Racing to field trucks for Ryan, Dave Blaney|last=Pockrass|first=Bob|date=January 15, 2013|work=Sporting News|access-date=March 2, 2019}} At Iowa Speedway in September, Chastain won his first career Truck Series pole for the Fan Appreciation 200;{{cite web|url=https://www.foxnews.com/sports/chastain-claims-first-pole-in-truck-series-at-iowa|title=Chastain claims first pole in Truck Series at Iowa|date=September 7, 2013|work=Fox Sports|publisher=FoxNews.com|access-date=March 2, 2019}} he led the most laps in the race, finishing second to James Buescher as the race underwent a green-white-checkered finish.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/james-buescher-wins-nascar-trucks-race-at-iowa-speedway/2013/09/08/176a89a4-18c6-11e3-80ac-96205cacb45a_story.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130908225724/http://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/james-buescher-wins-nascar-trucks-race-at-iowa-speedway/2013/09/08/176a89a4-18c6-11e3-80ac-96205cacb45a_story.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=September 8, 2013|title=Buescher edges Chastain to win NASCAR Truck Series race at Iowa Speedway|date=September 8, 2013|newspaper=The Washington Post|access-date=September 8, 2013|location=Washington, D.C.}} Chastain also came close to the win at the penultimate race at Phoenix, finishing second to Erik Jones after leading over 60 laps. Years later, Chastain said that he initially made the move to BKR as an attempt to get in a Team Penske ride, but that BKR and Penske did not view the situation that way.

Leaving BKR after the 2013 season, Chastain moved to RBR Enterprises for a part-time schedule in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series for 2014.{{cite web|url=http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Camping-World-Trucks/News/Articles/2014/02/Chastain-Joins-Ricky-Benton-Racing.aspx|title=Chastain Joins Ricky Benton Racing|date=February 11, 2014|publisher=Motor Racing Network|access-date=February 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222172807/http://www.mrn.com/Race-Series/NASCAR-Camping-World-Trucks/News/Articles/2014/02/Chastain-Joins-Ricky-Benton-Racing.aspx|archive-date=February 22, 2014|url-status=dead}} Comments before and after the Martinsville race, as well as racing actions during the race, led the team to fire Chastain from the ride. In May, he made his debut in the Nationwide Series (now Xfinity Series) at Charlotte Motor Speedway, driving the No. 55 for Viva Motorsports.{{cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/news/ross-chastain-nns-debut-charlotte-182300934--nascar.html|title=Ross Chastain to make NNS debut at Charlotte|last=Albert|first=Zack|date=May 15, 2014|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|access-date=May 15, 2014|archive-date=May 17, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140517114525/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/ross-chastain-nns-debut-charlotte-182300934--nascar.html|url-status=dead}} Chastain later drove for Hattori Racing Enterprises at Michigan International Speedway, replacing Johnny Sauter. If that opportunity did not arise, Chastain was set to replace another driver that weekend, John Wes Townley in the No. 5 Wauters Motorsports truck at Gateway Motorsports Park.{{cite web |last1=Knight |first1=Chris |title=Ross Chastain Offered Nationwide Opportunity For Michigan |url=http://www.catchfence.com/193383/ross-chastain-offered-nationwide-opportunity-michigan |website=Catchfence.com |access-date=September 27, 2018}} In the race with HRE, Chastain finished twelfth, which was to that point the team's best finish in NASCAR competition.{{cite web |last1=Crandall |first1=Kelly |title=Nuts for Nationwide: Ross Chastain Shows He Belongs |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2014/06/19/nuts-for-nationwide-ross-chastain-shows-he-belongs/ |website=Frontstretch |date=June 19, 2014 |access-date=September 28, 2018}} The finish eventually turned into more sporadic appearances with HRE throughout the rest of the season.{{cite web |last1=Buchanan |first1=Mary Jo |title=Team Owner Hattori Sharing Love of NASCAR with Japanese Guests |url=http://www.popularspeed.com/team-owner-hattori-sharing-love-of-nascar-with-japanese-guests/ |website=Popular Speed |access-date=October 1, 2018}} Chastain also joined the team for a part-time NASCAR K&N Pro Series East effort that year.{{cite web |title=Ross Chastain Joins HRE for K&N East run at Columbus |url=https://speed51.com/ross-chastain-joins-hre-for-kn-east-run-at-columbus/ |website=Speed51.com |access-date=October 1, 2018}}

File:01 Ross Chastain 2015 Road America.jpg|left]]

He then joined JD Motorsports in 2015, replacing Jeffrey Earnhardt. The opportunity emerged after Chastain raced with TriStar Motorsports at the end of the 2014 season. His car was comparable to the performances of the JDM cars, which led to a deal in the offseason. Chastain logged four top-tens on the year, ninth in the season-opening PowerShares QQQ 300, tenth at the other Daytona race, tenth at Iowa, and tenth at Darlington, and got into an altercation with Ryan Reed after a race at Richmond International Raceway. Reed claimed Chastain made too much contact on late restarts and vowed payback, while Chastain simply brushed the incident off as a difference of opinions in short-track racing.{{Cite web |last=Crandall |first=kelly |title=Ryan Reed Vows Payback on Ross Chastain |url=http://www.popularspeed.com/ryan-reed-vows-payback-on-ross-chastain/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150805202111/http://www.popularspeed.com/ryan-reed-vows-payback-on-ross-chastain/ |archive-date=August 5, 2015 |access-date=December 11, 2018 |website=Popular Speed}}

File:Ross Chastain Dover Cup 2017.jpg in 2017]]

Chastain's 2017 Xfinity season was the best of his career, scoring a top-five at Iowa and two top tens as well as finishing 13th in points, the highest of the non-playoff drivers. He achieved this after a tight points battle with J. J. Yeley for the spot in the last four races of the season. In the second half of the season, Chastain rarely finished outside the top twenty and mainly finished in the mid-teens.

The season was marred by two fights with fellow Xfinity drivers, one with Jeremy Clements at Bristol after Clements confronted him{{Cite news|url=https://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2017/4/22/jeremy-clements-ross-chastain-bristol-altercation-pit-road-hauler.html|title=Chastain, Clements called to hauler after altercation|date=April 22, 2017|access-date=December 22, 2017|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427090736/https://www.nascar.com/en_us/news-media/articles/2017/4/22/jeremy-clements-ross-chastain-bristol-altercation-pit-road-hauler.html|archive-date=April 27, 2017}} and one with Brendan Gaughan at Texas after heated on-track competition. Chastain, Gaughan, and crew members from both teams brawled behind Victory Lane after the night race. A crew member from JD Motorsports teammate Garrett Smithley was taken to the hospital with a head injury after the fight.{{Cite news|url=http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2017/11/07/ross-chastain-gives-his-side-of-brendan-gaughan-tangle-says-he-was-hit-in-back-of-head/|title=Ross Chastain gives his side of Brendan Gaughan tangle, says he was hit in back of head|date=November 7, 2017|publisher=NASCAR Talk|access-date=December 22, 2017|language=en-US}} Chastain blamed the confrontation on Gaughan, saying the Richard Childress Racing driver attacked him, but also acknowledged that he races hard and does not play favorites. Gaughan initially avoided discussing the incident with reporters{{Cite news|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2017/11/05/news-media20171105brendan-gaughan-ross-chastain-tussle-after-xfinity-race/|title=Brendan Gaughan, Ross Chastain tussle after XFINITY race NASCAR.com|date=November 5, 2017|publisher=NASCAR|access-date=December 22, 2017|language=en-US}} but later boasted about the incident on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio and said that he received several text messages from fellow drivers who were happy about the incident. He did admit that he could've handled the situation later but didn't care about it.{{Cite news|url=http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2017/11/05/brendan-gaughan-on-issue-with-ross-chastain-i-finally-just-had-enough/|title=Brendan Gaughan on issue with Ross Chastain: 'I finally just had enough'|date=November 5, 2017|publisher=NASCAR Talk|access-date=December 22, 2017|language=en-US}} That opinion was likely influenced by the fact that 2017 was Gaughan's final Xfinity season, as any retaliation had to happen within the next two races.

In 2017, Chastain joined Premium Motorsports' No. 15 car for his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut in the AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover,{{cite web|url=https://www.teamjdmotorsports.com/team-news/breaking-news-chastain-debuts-in-cup-series-with-boost-from-delaware-office-of-highway-safety|title=Breaking News: Chastain Debuts in Cup Series with Boost from Delaware Office of Highway Safety|work=JD Motorsports|date=May 26, 2017|access-date=May 26, 2017|archive-date=September 27, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170927052457/https://www.teamjdmotorsports.com/team-news/breaking-news-chastain-debuts-in-cup-series-with-boost-from-delaware-office-of-highway-safety|url-status=dead}} an opportunity he initially resisted after being informed of the opportunity by Xfinity team owner Johnny Davis.{{Cite news|url=http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2018/04/05/how-ross-chastain-stopped-doubting-himself-and-embraced-cup-racing/|title=How Ross Chastain stopped doubting himself and embraced Cup racing|last=McFadin|first=Daniel|date=April 5, 2018|publisher=NBC Sports|access-date=April 6, 2018|language=en-US}} he finished 20th.{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-cup/news/it-was-a-dream-come-true-as-ross-chastain-finishes-20th-in-cup-debut-914436/|title="It was a dream come true" as Ross Chastain finishes 20th in Cup debut|publisher=Motorsport |last=Utter|first=Jim|date=June 4, 2017|access-date=June 5, 2017}} Chastain heard from various sources that his driving style made multiple drivers mad on-track, but Chastain says it doesn't bother him. He also drove the No. 15 at the fall Dover race, finishing 38th.{{cite web|url=http://racing-reference.info/race/2017_Delaware_400/W|title=2017 Apache Warrior 400|publisher=Racing-Reference|access-date=October 6, 2017}} Chastain was originally on the entry list to drive the No. 7 car, the second car for Premium Motorsports, at the Cup series season finale at Homestead, but the team withdrew.

In late September 2017, Chastain announced that he would return to JD Motorsports for a fourth year, running the entire 2018 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, as well as hinting at another part-time Cup schedule with Premium Motorsports.{{Cite news|url=http://kickinthetires.net/index.php/2017/09/30/chastain-to-run-full-time-xfinity-part-time-cup-in-2018/|title=Chastain to run full-time XFINITY, part-time Cup in 2018|last=Whisler|first=Caleb|date=September 30, 2017|publisher=Kickin' The Tires|access-date=April 6, 2018|language=en-US}}{{Cite web|url=http://www.catchfence.com/264583/ross-chastain-set-return-jd-motorsports-2018|title=Ross Chastain set to return to JD Motorsports in 2018|last=Knight|first=Chris|publisher=Catchfence|language=en-US|access-date=April 6, 2018}} He started off the Xfinity season with a top-ten at Daytona International Speedway,{{Cite news|url=https://leeherald.com/2018/02/17/alvas-ross-chastain-finished-9th-in-season-opener-at-daytona/|title=Alva's Ross Chastain finishes 9th in season opener at Daytona|date=February 17, 2018|work=Lee Herald|access-date=April 6, 2018|language=en-US}} and ran his first Cup race of 2018 the week after at Atlanta Motor Speedway. By the Easter off weekend, Chastain had expanded his Cup schedule, which had included every race since Atlanta, to all of the race weekends where the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series run at the same track.{{Cite web|url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2018/04/04/beyond-the-cockpit-ross-chastain-building-strength-for-busy-cup-schedule/|title=Beyond the Cockpit: Ross Chastain Building Strength for Busy Cup Schedule|last=Catanzareti|first=Zach|date=April 4, 2018|publisher=www.frontstretch.com|language=en|access-date=April 6, 2018}} Chastain also returned to the truck series at Iowa on an off week for the Cup Series and a companion race with the Xfinity Series, driving the No. 50 truck for Beaver Motorsports. He continued to run most of the Cup schedule, running the entirety of the summer schedule save for the Sonoma Raceway event, where Justin Marks drove.{{cite web |last1=Coburn |first1=Wesley |title=Ross Chastain, Chip Ganassi Racing Team for 3 XFINITY Races |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2018/08/23/ross-chastain-chip-ganassi-racing-team-for-3-xfinity-races/ |website=Frontstretch |date=August 23, 2018 |access-date=September 14, 2018}} Chastain tied his career-best finish Xfinity Series finish at Iowa Speedway, avoiding last-lap chaos to bring home another fourth-place finish.{{cite web |last1=Seelman |first1=Jacob |title=Ross Chastain Ties Career-Best Xfinity Mark at Iowa |url=https://speedsport.com/nascar/xfinity-series/chastain-ties-xfinity-career-best-iowa/ |website=Speed Sport |access-date=October 1, 2018}} At the Xfinity Series race at Mid-Ohio, Chastain and Joey Gase made contact multiple times on the final lap, eventually leading Gase to spin off track. On pit road after the race, Gase swerved his car toward Chastain with spectators and crew members in the vicinity. The two later had a shouting match and Gase was tackled by one of Chastain's crew members. After a trip to the NASCAR hauler, Gase called Chastain a "golden boy" and threatened to derail Chastain's playoff hopes.{{cite web |last1=Weaver |first1=Matt |title=FIGHT VIDEO: Joey Gase, Ross Chastain and crews tussle after NASCAR Xfinity race|url=https://autoweek.com/article/nascar/video-joey-gase-ross-chastain-and-crews-tussle-after-nascar-xfinity-race |website=Autoweek |date=August 11, 2018 |access-date=September 20, 2018}} Chastain hopped in the Premium Motorsports No. 15 truck for the World of Westgate 200 and finished seventh, Premium's best-ever finish across all three NASCAR national series.{{cite web |last1=Aragon |first1=Dominic |title=Chastain talks about scoring one of Premium Motorsports' highest NASCAR finishes |url=https://theracingexperts.com/chastain-talks-about-scoring-one-of-premium-motorsports-highest-nascar-finishes.php |website=The Racing Experts |access-date=September 24, 2018}}

File:Ross Chastain Dover Xfinity 2018.jpg

On the strength of a summer performance that saw him hold down the final Xfinity Series playoff spot, Chastain and Chip Ganassi Racing announced a three-race agreement for Chastain to pilot the organization's No. 42 entry for races at Darlington Raceway, Las Vegas Motor Speedway and Richmond Raceway.{{cite web |last1=Beaver |first1=Dan |title=Ross Chastain to run three Xfinity races with Chip Ganassi Racing |url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2018/08/23/ross-chastain-to-run-three-xfinity-races-with-chip-ganassi/ |website=NASCAR on NBC |date=August 23, 2018 |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=September 14, 2018}} The races came at the expense of John Hunter Nemechek, who could not sell sponsorship for the races. DC Solar was announced as a backer for Chastain's effort. Chastain had previously met the CEO of DC Solar at Auto Club Speedway in 2018, and plans materialized from there.{{cite web |last1=Long |first1=Dustin |title=Long: Ross Chastain's win 'gives all the little guys hope' |url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2018/09/15/long-ross-chastains-win-gives-all-the-little-guys-hope/ |website=NASCAR on NBC |date=September 16, 2018 |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=September 17, 2018}} For the first race of the trio, Chastain held top-ten spots in both practices, finishing second in first practice.{{cite web |last1=Long |first1=Dustin |title=Xfinity practice report at Darlington |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/xfinity-practice-report-darlington-182509712.html |website=Yahoo Sports |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=September 14, 2018}} He later claimed the pole over Christopher Bell,{{cite web |last1=Long |first1=Dustin |title=Ross Chastain wins Xfinity pole for today's race |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ross-chastain-wins-xfinity-pole-173719051.html |website=Yahoo Sports |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=September 14, 2018}} and during the race won the first two stages.{{cite web |last1=Utter |first1=Jim |title=Ross Chastain: "I'll never forget the peaks and valleys of this weekend" |url=https://us.motorsport.com/nascar-xs/news/chastain-ill-never-forget-the-peaks-and-valleys-of-this-weekend/3169548/ |website=Motorsport.com |date=September 1, 2018 |access-date=August 14, 2019}} During the third stage, Chastain was battling for the race lead with Kevin Harvick with thirty-five laps to go. Through turns one and two of the traditionally one-groove Darlington track, the lapped car of Chad Finchum took the top-groove racing lane, leaving Harvick and Chastain jostling for positions in the bottom lanes. After clearing Finchum, Harvick slid up into Chastain who then slid up into the wall. On the backstretch, Chastain hooked Harvick's machine into the outside wall, ending Harvick's day. Harvick later parked in Chastain's pit stall before giving a heated post-race interview calling Chastain "inexperienced" and saying that Chastain will "never get to drive many of them [events in top-tier cars] again. Chip Ganassi then responded on Twitter, defending Chastain's performance and stating that he "helped himself to many future opportunities"."{{cite web |last1=lott |first1=Thomas |title=Kevin Harvick rips driver who wrecked him in Xfinity race |url=http://www.sportingnews.com/us/nascar/news/nascar-xfinity-series-sports-clips-haircuts-vfw-200-kevin-harvick-comments-ross-chastain-video/1hcgrs1uy51xw1bxus9brumefs |website=Sporting News |access-date=September 14, 2018}} Chastain, for his part, finished 25th after repairs and called running up front "cool" and also saying "I don't care what Harvick says."{{cite web |last1=Long |first1=Dustin |title=Kevin Harvick calls Ross Chastain 'a really inexperienced guy in a really fast car' |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/kevin-harvick-calls-ross-chastain-214121916.html |website=Yahoo Sports |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=September 14, 2018}}

{{quote box|quote=

"No matter what happens, if I go back to the farm tomorrow ... which I'm going to do one day after racing's over, if I had to back tomorrow I'll have no regrets, obviously."|source=Chastain in a TV interview after the race{{cite web |last1=McFadin |first1=Daniel |title='I'm just a watermelon farmer': Ross Chastain earns first Xfinity win |url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2018/09/15/ross-chastain-wins-xfinity-race-in-las-vegas/ |work=NASCAR on NBC |publisher=NBC Sports |date=September 15, 2018 |access-date=May 11, 2019}}|width=30%|align=left}}

After running a race with JD Motorsports at Indianapolis, Chastain returned to CGR for the DC Solar 300 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. He once again performed well throughout the weekend, securing the second-fastest time in final practice and the fifth starting spot for the race.{{cite web |last1=Ryan |first1=Nate |title=Tyler Reddick paces final Xfinity practice at Las Vegas |url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2018/09/14/tyler-reddick-paces-final-xfinity-practice-at-las-vegas/ |website=NASCAR on NBC |date=September 14, 2018 |publisher=NBC Sports |access-date=September 17, 2018}}{{cite web |last1=Long |first1=Dustin |title=Today's Xfinity race at Las Vegas: start time, lineup and more |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/today-xfinity-race-las-vegas-190027957.html |website=Yahoo Sports |access-date=September 17, 2018}} Once again the class of the field, Chastain led all but twenty of the 200 laps in the race and prevailed over Justin Allgaier for the victory, his first in over 200 starts in NASCAR.{{cite web |last1=Pockrass |first1=Bob |title=Perseverance pays off as Ross Chastain earns first Xfinity win |url=http://www.espn.com/racing/nascar/story/_/id/24691920/ross-chastain-holds-justin-allgaier-win-nascar-xfinity-series-las-vegas |website=ESPN |date=September 16, 2018 |access-date=September 17, 2018}} True to his roots, Chastain smashed a watermelon on the track as a final victory celebration. In a post-race media conference, he admitted to getting emotional in the closing laps of the race due to the gravity of the win.{{cite web |title=Chastain: 'Two to Go, I had a Big Ole Tear Come Down' |url=https://www.nascar.com/video/franchise/press-pass/chastain-emotions-win-las-vegas-tear/ |website=NASCAR.com |access-date=September 17, 2018}} With the win, a playoff berth was wrapped up, the first of his career.{{cite web |last1=Cain |first1=Holly |title=Ross Chastain is making the most of his opportunity |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2018/09/20/ross-chastain-making-opportunity/ |website=NASCAR.com |access-date=September 24, 2018}} Chastain also revealed that he was not being paid to drive the car, something that he claimed was reason for ridicule within the sport.{{cite web |last1=Bromberg |first1=Nick |author-link=Nick Bromberg |title=Ross Chastain isn't getting paid to drive the No. 42 car |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/xfinity-series-winner-ross-chastain-isnt-getting-paid-drive-no-42-car-161625977.html |website=Yahoo Sports |date=September 16, 2018 |access-date=September 17, 2018}} Chastain fell out of the playoffs after the opening round after Matt Tifft made a late-race rally at Dover, claiming the final spot by three points.{{cite web |last1=Weaver |first1=Matt |title=NASCAR Xfinity Dover Results: Christopher Bell wins as Ross Chastain's Playoff run ends |url=https://autoweek.com/article/nascar-xfinity/nascar-xfinity-dover-results-christopher-bell-wins-ross-chastains-playoff-run |website=Autoweek |date=October 6, 2018 |access-date=October 9, 2018}}

Towards the latter part of the 2018 season, Chastain joined Niece Motorsports for some NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races. Although some were surprised at how well Chastain ran in those races, Chastain instead said that the organization was better than the community gave it credit for.

Image:Rosschastainvictoryburnout2019.jpg at Daytona]]

On October 6, 2018, it was reported that Chastain had agreed to drive the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season with Premium Motorsports, and a deal with Chip Ganassi Racing for more Xfinity races was likely.{{cite web |last1=Spencer |first1=Lee |title=Ross Chastain to continue career with Premium Motorsports in 2019 |url=http://www.racinboys.com/news/?i=66288 |website=RacinBoys |access-date=October 9, 2018}} On November 9, 2018, Chastain and CGR announced a full season in the No. 42 Xfinity Series car for 2019. DC Solar, instrumental in Chastain's introduction to the team, remained on as sponsor.{{cite web |last1=Weaver |first1=Matt |title=Ross Chastain to join Chip Ganassi Racing NASCAR Xfinity Series team full-time in 2019 |url=https://autoweek.com/article/nascar/ross-chastain-join-chip-ganassi-racing-nascar-xfinity-team-full-time-2019 |website=Autoweek |date=November 9, 2018 |access-date=December 11, 2018}} However, after DC Solar was raided by the FBI on December 18, 2018, the team lost the sponsorship and shut down in January.{{cite web |last1=Torres |first1=Luis |title=Chip Ganassi Racing Shuts Down No. 42 Xfinity Team |url=https://motorsportstribune.com/chip-ganassi-racing-shuts-down-no-42-xfinity-team/ |website=Motorsports Tribune |date=January 4, 2019 |access-date=January 4, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2019/01/04/chip-ganassi-racing-xfinity-series-2019/ |title=Chip Ganassi won't run No. 42 Xfinity Series car in 2019 |website=NASCAR.com |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. |date=January 4, 2019 |access-date=January 5, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/chip-ganassi-racing-shuts-no-42-xfinity-team-wake-fbi-raid-dc-solar-175244545.html |title=Chip Ganassi Racing shuts down No. 42 Xfinity team in wake of FBI raid of DC Solar |first=Nick |last=Bromberg |publisher=Yahoo Sports |date=January 5, 2019 |access-date=January 5, 2019}}{{cite web |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ceo-dc-solar-chip-ganassi-racing-sponsor-home-raided-fbi-041433049.html |title=CEO of DC Solar, a Chip Ganassi Racing sponsor, has home raided by FBI |first=Nick |last=Bromberg |publisher=Yahoo Sports |date=January 5, 2019 |access-date=January 5, 2019}}

File:Ross Chastain Homestead 2019.jpg in 2019]]

In January 2019, Chastain joined Niece Motorsports to drive the No. 45 Silverado part-time in the Truck Series, splitting the truck with Reid Wilson.{{cite web|last=Brooks|first=Amanda|url=http://www.espn.com/jayski/trucks/2019/story/_/id/25795714/ross-chastain-reid-wilson-drive-niece-motorsports-2019|title=Ross Chastain and Reid Wilson to drive for Niece Motorsports in 2019|publisher=ESPN|work=Jayski's Silly Season Site|date=January 18, 2019|access-date=January 18, 2019}} On January 31, Chastain announced his return to the No. 4 JD Motorsports ride for 30 races, replacing Blake Koch, who stepped away to focus on business ventures. For the other three races of the schedule – Daytona in February, Chicagoland in June, and Texas in November – Chastain announced he would join Kaulig Racing, driving the organization's No. 10 entry.{{cite web |title=Chastain To Split Xfinity Slate With 2 Teams |url=https://speedsport.com/nascar/xfinity-series/chastain-split-xfinity-slate-2-teams/ |website=Speed Sport |access-date=January 31, 2019}} In his first race with Niece, Chastain began the season with a third-place finish in the 2019 NextEra Energy 250.{{cite web |last1=Spencer |first1=Reid |title=Hill grabs first Truck win as Daytona sets caution record|url=https://racer.com/2019/02/15/hill-grabs-first-truck-win-as-daytona-sets-caution-record/ |work=Racer.com |date=February 15, 2019 |access-date=February 16, 2019}} At his first ever Daytona 500, Chastain scored his first career top-ten in the Cup Series with a 10th place finish despite starting 36th in the race.

During the spring, Chastain broke the all-time NASCAR record for most consecutive races run across all three national series to start a season, surpassing the mark of 22 set by Kyle Busch set in 2008.{{cite web |last1=Fair |first1=Asher |title=NASCAR: The recently broken all-time record that no one is talking about |url=https://beyondtheflag.com/2019/05/12/nascar-recently-broken-time-record-nobody-talking/ |website=Beyond the Flag |date=May 12, 2019 |publisher=FanSided |access-date=May 13, 2019}}

On May 10, 2019, Chastain won his first career NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race in the 2019 Digital Ally 250 at Kansas Speedway.{{Cite web|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/ross-chastain-races-1st-nascar-trucks-victory-031833702--nascar.html|title=Ross Chastain races to 1st NASCAR Trucks victory|agency=Associated Press|publisher=Yahoo Sports|language=en-US|date=May 11, 2019|access-date=May 11, 2019}} He nearly spun out with 20 laps to go but saved the truck, later inheriting the lead from Stewart Friesen after he ran out of fuel.{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/chastain-first-truck-win-kansas/4385605/|title=Ross Chastain earns upset win in Kansas Truck race|last=Southers|first=Tim|work=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=May 10, 2019|access-date=May 11, 2019}} In June, he announced his intention to switch to Truck Series points to compete for a championship in the series.{{cite web|url=https://speedsport.com/nascar/truck-series/chastain-switches-gears-to-chase-truck-title/|title=Chastain Switches Gears, To Chase Truck Title|work=Speed Sport|date=June 4, 2019|access-date=June 4, 2019}}

In June's M&M's 200 at Iowa, Chastain led 141 of 200 laps and swept the stages to score the win, but his truck failed post-race inspection and his victory was forfeited to Brett Moffitt under NASCAR's newly-introduced disqualification policy. Chastain was the first driver to have a win revoked since Dale Jarrett was disqualified from a Busch Series race in 1995, relegated to last in the official standings.{{cite web|url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2019/06/19/penalty-upheld-in-no-44-truck-teams-appeal-post-iowa/|title=Penalty upheld in No. 44 Truck team's appeal post-Iowa|work=NASCAR|date=June 19, 2019|access-date=October 27, 2020}} Chastain's team appealed the penalty, though it was eventually upheld after a hearing with National Motorsports Appeals panelist Bryan Moss.{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/ross-chastains-disqualification-upheld-appeal/4477725/|title=Ross Chastain's Iowa disqualification upheld after appeal|last=DeGroot|first=Nick|work=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=June 19, 2019|access-date=June 19, 2019}} He earned redemption the following week in Gateway's CarShield 200, however, leading 21 laps and scoring the victory after taking only fuel and no tires on his final pit stop.{{cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-truck/news/ross-chastain-niece-gateway-win/4480290/|title=Ross Chastain comes back from Iowa DQ with win at Gateway|last=DeGroot|first=Nick|work=Motorsport.com|publisher=Motorsport Network|date=June 23, 2019|access-date=June 23, 2019}}

Chastain won the 2019 Circle K Firecracker 250 at Daytona driving the No. 16 Camaro for Kaulig Racing. Chastain's teammates Justin Haley and A. J. Allmendinger finished behind him, though Allmendinger was subsequently disqualified for failing post-race inspection.{{Cite web|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-xs/news/ross-chastain-wins-daytona-kaulig/4489348/|title=Ross Chastain wins wild Daytona Xfinity race in Kaulig 1-2-3|website=www.motorsport.com|date=July 6, 2019 |language=en|access-date=July 6, 2019}}{{cite web|last=Utter|first=Jim|url=https://www.motorsport.com/nascar-xs/news/allmendinger-kaulig-disqualified-xfinity-daytona/4489771/|title=Allmendinger disqualified after third-place finish at Daytona|website=Motorsport.com|date=July 6, 2019|access-date=July 6, 2019}} Chastain later won at Pocono Raceway in the Truck Series in commanding fashion, dedicating his win to Kaulig crew chief Nick Harrison, who had died the previous week.{{cite web |last1=Spencer |first1=Reid |title=NASCAR Pocono Truck race results: Ross Chastain cruises to third victory |url=https://autoweek.com/article/nascar-gander-outdoors-truck-series/nascar-pocono-truck-race-results-ross-chastain-cruises |website=Autoweek |date=July 27, 2019 |publisher=Crain Communications |access-date=August 14, 2019}} In Xfinity Series competition at Watkins Glen International, Chastain sent Justin Allgaier spinning off the track in the bus stop portion of the circuit; Allgaier, thinking the move was intentional, wrecked Chastain in the same section of the track later in the race, relegating Chastain to a 34th-place finish. Chastain chalked his side of the incidents up to mistakes while Allgaier cited instances of Daytona earlier in 2018 and Las Vegas in 2018 as further dirty racing by Chastain.{{cite web |last1=Albino |first1=Dustin |title=Justin Allgaier, Ross Chastain 'Rocky Relationship' Comes to a Peak at Watkins Glen |url=https://www.frontstretch.com/2019/08/03/justin-allgaier-ross-chastain-rocky-relationship-comes-to-peak-at-watkins-glen/ |website=Frontstretch |date=August 3, 2019 |access-date=August 14, 2019}} Once Chastain's berth in the Truck Series playoffs was secure, CarShield announced full sponsorship of his playoff efforts.{{cite web |last1=Bonkowski |first1=Jerry |title=CarShield to sponsor Ross Chastain throughout Truck playoffs |url=https://sports.yahoo.com/carshield-sponsor-ross-chastain-throughout-154931414.html |website=Yahoo Sports |access-date=August 14, 2019}}

Chastain earned his second top-five of 2019 when he finished second to Christopher Bell at Texas Motor Speedway in November, leading 29 laps.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2019/11/04/ross-chastain-drives-no-10-chevrolet-camaro-to-second-place-finish-at-texas-motor-speedway/|title=Ross Chastain drives No. 10 Chevrolet Camaro to second-place finish at Texas Motor Speedway|author=Staff Report |website=NASCAR.com |date=November 2, 2019 |access-date=November 2, 2019}}

File:Ross Chastain Kaulig Racing 2020.jpg

On October 15, 2019, it was announced that Chastain would be driving for Kaulig Racing full-time in the 2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2019/10/15/chastain-to-join-kaulig-in-xfinity-series-next-season/ |title=Chastain to join Kaulig in XFINITY Series next season |first=Amanda |last=Brooks |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |date=October 15, 2019 |access-date=October 16, 2019}} Chastain also returned to the Cup Series at the Daytona 500 and Coca-Cola 600, driving the No. 77 in a partnership between Chip Ganassi Racing and Spire Motorsports.{{cite web|last=McFadin|first=Daniel|url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2020/01/09/ganassi-adventhealth-deal-includes-daytona-500-coke-600-starts-for-ross-chastain/|title=Ganassi, AdventHealth deal includes Daytona 500, Coke 600 starts for Ross Chastain|publisher=NBC Sports|date=January 9, 2020|access-date=January 9, 2020}} He also retained his ride with Niece Motorsports in the Truck Series in a part-time capacity, moving over to the organization's No. 44 entry and sharing the ride with Carson Hocevar and Natalie Decker.{{cite web |title=Natalie Decker to Pilot No. 44 for Niece Motorsports in Partial Schedule |url=http://niecemotorsports.com/niece-motorsports/natalie-decker-to-pilot-no-44-for-niece-motorsports-in-partial-schedule/ |website=Niece Motorsports |date=January 16, 2020 |access-date=January 26, 2020}}

Chastain failed to qualify for the Xfinity season opener at Daytona after mechanical issues plagued his car. However, Kaulig and RSS Racing forged an agreement that RSS driver Jeff Green surrender his No. 38 car to Chastain for the race.{{cite web|last=DeGroot|first=Nick|url=https://sports.yahoo.com/two-kaulig-racings-three-cars-175716483.html|title=Two of Kaulig Racing's three cars DNQ from Xfinity race|publisher=Yahoo! Sports|date=February 15, 2020|access-date=February 15, 2020}} In the Daytona 500, Chastain was involved in a late wreck with Ryan Preece that took him out of the race.{{cite news|last=Rorabaugh|first=Dan|url=https://www.news-press.com/story/sports/2020/02/17/daytona-500-crash-ross-chastain-ryan-newman/4791435002/|title=Daytona 500: Riverdale grad Ross Chastain fails to finish after crashing late in race|newspaper=The News-Press|date=February 17, 2020|access-date=February 17, 2020}}

On February 19, 2020, Roush Fenway Racing announced Chastain as the replacement driver for an injured Ryan Newman in the team's No. 6 Ford starting with the Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas.{{cite web|last=Ryan|first=Nate|url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2020/02/19/ryan-newman-ross-chastain-hired-las-vegas-daytona-500-crash/|title=Ross Chastain will replace Ryan Newman in the No. 6 at Las Vegas|publisher=NBC Sports|date=February 19, 2020|access-date=February 19, 2020}} Chastain drove the No. 6 for three races before the season was put on hold due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Newman returned to the No. 6 when the season resumed while Chastain returned to Spire Motorsports part-time.

On September 21, 2020, Chip Ganassi Racing Chastain as the driver of the No. 42 Chevrolet in 2021, replacing Matt Kenseth.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2020/09/21/report-ross-chastain-to-drive-42-for-chip-ganassi-racing-in-2021/ |title=Report: Ross Chastain to drive #42 for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021 |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC |date=September 21, 2020 |access-date=September 21, 2020}} He finished a career-high 7th in the Xfinity standings with 27 top tens (the most of any driver that season) and 15 top fives (including five runner-up finishes), despite not winning a race.

File:Ross Chastain 42 Sonoma 2021.jpg in 2021]]

Chastain's Cup tenure with Ganassi began with a seventh-place finish in the 2021 Daytona 500, his best Cup finish up to that point.{{cite news|last=Aragon|first=Dominic|url=https://theracingexperts.com/ross-chastain-posts-career-high-finish-in-daytona-500|title=Ross Chastain posts career-high finish in Daytona 500|publisher=The Racing Experts|date=February 15, 2021|access-date=March 10, 2021}} During the race's rain delay, he became the subject of a viral video from CGR in which he ordered food at a McDonald's (a team sponsor) drive-through for the team.{{cite news|last=Dean|first=Zach|url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nascar/2021/02/15/ross-chastain-mcdonalds-daytona-500-rain-delay/4488290001/|title=Ross Chastain goes through McDonald's drive-through during Daytona 500 rain delay|newspaper=USA Today|date=February 15, 2021|access-date=March 10, 2021}}{{cite news|last=Puhak|first=Janine|url=https://www.foxnews.com/auto/nascar-driver-ross-chastain-hits-mcdonalds-drive-thru-during-rain-delay-daytona-500|title=NASCAR driver Ross Chastain hits McDonald's drive-thru during rain delay at Daytona 500|publisher=Fox News|date=February 15, 2021|access-date=March 10, 2021}}

In March, Chastain rejoined Niece for the Truck race at Atlanta.{{cite news|last=Long|first=Dustin|url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2021/03/10/ross-chastain-to-run-atlanta-truck-race-for-niece-motorsports/|title=Ross Chastain to run Atlanta Truck race for Niece Motorsports|publisher=NBC Sports|date=March 10, 2021|access-date=March 10, 2021}} In May, he reunited with SS-Green Light Racing to drive their No. 07 car in the Xfinity Series race at Circuit of the Americas, replacing its normal driver, Joe Graf Jr.{{cite web |first=Michael |last=Carey |url=https://tobychristie.com/2021/05/22/ross-chastain-replacing-joe-graf-jr-for-xfinity-cota-race/ |title=Ross Chastain Replacing Joe Graf Jr. For Xfinity COTA Race |website=TobyChristie.com |date=May 22, 2021}}

On June 30, 2021, Justin Marks, co-founder of Trackhouse Racing announced that he had purchased Chip Ganassi Racing's entire NASCAR operations after the 2021 season, leaving Chastain as a free agent. On August 3, 2021, it was revealed that Chastain was the driver for the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing's upcoming second Cup team, alongside the No. 99 of Daniel Suárez, in a multi-year deal beginning in 2022.

File:Ross Chastain 1 Sonoma 2022.jpg in 2022]]

Chastain began the 2022 season with a 40th place finish at the 2022 Daytona 500 and a 29th place finish at Auto Club Speedway. He then rebounded with a third place finish, while leading an at the time, career-high 83 laps at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and two runner-up finishes at Phoenix Raceway, and at Atlanta Motor Speedway, after recovering a two lap deficit upon crashing in lead position. Chastain scored his first career cup win at the Circuit of the Americas battling against Alex Bowman and A. J. Allmendinger. {{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/03/27/ross-chastain-smashes-his-way-to-first-career-cup-series-win-in-last-lap-clash-at-cota/ |title=Ross Chastain smashes his way to first career Cup Series win in last-lap clash at COTA |first=Holly |last=Cain |website=NASCAR.com |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC |date=March 27, 2022 |access-date=March 28, 2022}} A month later, he claimed his second victory at Talladega.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/04/24/results-cup-series-2022-talladega-geico-500-race-recap/ |title=Ross Chastain converts last-lap pass, wins Talladega thriller |first=Holly |last=Cain |website=NASCAR.com |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC |date=April 24, 2022 |access-date=April 25, 2022}} At the 2022 NASCAR All-Star Race, Chastain finished 22nd after going airborne from colliding with Kyle Busch, taking Chase Elliott out in the process.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/05/22/cup-series-2022-all-star-texas-kyle-busch-chastain-elliott-crash/ |title=Kyle Busch, Chastain, Elliott eliminated from All-Star contention in heavy Stage 2 crash |website=NASCAR.com |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC |date=May 22, 2022 |access-date=May 23, 2022}} At the Indianapolis road course, Chastain crossed the line second to Tyler Reddick, but was penalized and scored 27th place for crossing the access road during the final restart.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/07/31/ross-chastain-austin-dillon-penalized-after-taking-access-road/ |title=Ross Chastain, Austin Dillon penalized for short-cutting after taking access road |website=NASCAR.com |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC |date=July 31, 2022 |access-date=August 1, 2022}} He finished third at the Phoenix finale and a career-best second place in the points standings.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/11/06/cup-series-championship-ross-chastain-cherishes-first-title-bout-despite-falling-short/ |title=Ross Chastain cherishes first title bout despite falling short: 'I'm so proud' |first=Zach |last=Sturniolo |website=NASCAR.com |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC |date=November 6, 2022 |access-date=November 8, 2022}}

In June at Gateway, Chastain began a feud with Denny Hamlin. Early in the race, Chastain ran into Hamlin's back bumper, causing Hamlin to spin and sustain damage to his car. Fifteen laps later, Hamlin attempted to slow Chastain by blocking him at a slower-than-normal rate of speed. NASCAR intervened and told Hamlin that he "had made his point." Later in the same race, Chastain ran into Chase Elliott, causing him to spin. At the restart, Elliott pushed Chastain towards the wall while Hamlin made a tight pass to once again express his frustration. Chastain accepted fault for the incidents saying, "I just drove over my head so many times".{{Cite web |last=Long |first=Dustin |date=June 6, 2022 |title=Ross Chastain: 'I just drove over my head so many times' |url=https://nascar.nbcsports.com/2022/06/05/long-humbled-ross-chastain-says-he-drove-over-my-head-so-many-times-denny-hamlin-chase-ellioitt/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |publisher=NBC Sports}}

Weeks later at Atlanta, Chastain spun Hamlin with 14 laps to go. This caused Hamlin, who was running in the top five, to fall to the back of the pack. Hamlin said that he had "reached his peak" when referring to dealing with Chastain.{{Cite web |date=July 11, 2022 |title=Denny Hamlin: 'Reached My Peak' With Ross Chastain |url=https://www.speedsport.com/nascar/nascar-cup-series/nascar-denny-hamlin-reached-my-peak-ross-chastain/ |access-date=July 12, 2022 |website=Speed Sport}}

In October, Chastain qualified for the Championship 4 by a thin margin at 2022 Xfinity 500 held at the Martinsville Speedway, where he, in tenth place on the last lap of the race, drove his car into the outside wall of the track in Turns 3 and 4 to pick up the unprecedented speed of up to {{convert|130|mph}}, overtaking Hamlin and four other drivers to finish in fifth place. Chastain set a record for the fastest lap during a NASCAR Cup Series race for the track.{{cite web |last=Spencer |first=Reid |date=October 30, 2022 |title=Christopher Bell wins his way into Championship 4; title field set |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/10/30/christopher-bell-wins-way-into-championship-4-title-field-set |access-date=October 31, 2022 |website=NASCAR.com |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC}}

The "wall-riding" move, nicknamed "Hail Melon" as a portmanteau of the Hail Mary pass in American football and "watermelon" in allusion to Chastain's background, was widely commented upon in the media.{{cite news|last=Al-Khateeb|first=Zac|url=https://www.sportingnews.com/us/nascar/news/ross-chastain-move-nascar-rule-change-2023-season/e0vpvu1wur0dkfkjlcquvnee|title=Ross Chastain rule change, explained: Why NASCAR banned 'Hail Melon' wall move for 2023 season|newspaper=The Sporting News|date=February 19, 2023|access-date=August 2, 2023}} Chastain said that the move was inspired by playing the video game NASCAR 2005 on the GameCube as a kid with his brother Chad.{{Cite web |last=Albert |first=Zack |date=October 30, 2022 |title=Ross Chastain clinches Championship 4 berth at buzzer with video-game move |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2022/10/30/nascar-cup-series-2022-playoffs-ross-chastain-martinsville/ |website=NASCAR.com|publisher=NASCAR Digital Media, LLC|access-date=November 2, 2022}} Overtaken rival Hamlin, who was ultimately eliminated from the playoffs as a direct result of Chastain's move, described it as a "great move", adding that "when you have no other choice, it certainly is easy to do that."{{Cite web |title=Chastain: Martinsville wall-ride inspired by NASCAR 2005 video game |url=https://www.autosport.com/nascar/news/chastain-martinsville-wallride-inspired-by-nascar-2005/10393362/ |website=www.autosport.com|date=October 31, 2022 }} Although NASCAR ruled the maneuver legal, some race competitors and commentators criticized the move's safety and called on NASCAR to prohibit the move from setting a precedent at future races.{{cite news |last1=Fryer |first1=Jenna |date=October 31, 2022 |title=Column: Chastain Rides The Wall Into NASCAR's Title Race |url=http://racing.ap.org/article/column-chastain-rides-wall-nascars-title-race |url-status=dead |language=en |publisher=Associated Press |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221201081703/http://racing.ap.org/article/column-chastain-rides-wall-nascars-title-race |archive-date=December 1, 2022 |access-date=August 6, 2024}}

Within days, footage of the move received more than 100 million views on Twitter and other social media.{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yAaT2Wrr-4 |title=THE MOST WATCHED NASCAR MOMENT EVER! How NASCAR Can Capitalize On It! |author=The Iceberg |publisher=YouTube |date=November 2, 2022 |access-date=November 3, 2022}}

File:Ross chastain (52866796720).jpg in 2023]]

Chastain started the 2023 season with a ninth-place finish at the 2023 Daytona 500. Shortly after finishing fifth at Kansas, Noah Gragson confronted him over a racing incident between them that resulted in Gragson hitting the outside wall. Gragson shoved Chastain, who retaliated with a punch to the face.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2023/05/07/ross-chastain-noah-gragson-tussle-on-pit-road-after-kansas-race/ |title=Ross Chastain, Noah Gragson tussle on pit road after Kansas race |website=NASCAR |date=May 7, 2023 |access-date=May 8, 2023}} Chastain scored his first win of the season at Nashville.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2023/06/25/cup-series-nashville-recap-ross-chastain-scores-first-win-of-2023/ |title=Ross Chastain scores first win of 2023 at Nashville Superspeedway |first=Holly |last=Cain |website=NASCAR |date=June 25, 2023 |access-date=June 26, 2023}} He was eliminated from the Round of 12 at the conclusion of the Charlotte Roval race,{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2023/10/08/results-cup-series-2023-charlotte-roval-playoffs-race-recap/ |title=AJ Allmendinger holds off William Byron for emotional Charlotte Roval victory |first=Reid |last=Spencer |website=NASCAR |date=October 8, 2023 |access-date=October 9, 2023}} but won the season finale at Phoenix and finished ninth in the points standings.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2023/11/05/nascar-cup-series-championship-race-recap-2023/ |title=Ross Chastain dominates Phoenix Cup finale; Ryan Blaney wins first championship |first=Reid |last=Spencer |website=NASCAR |date=November 5, 2023 |access-date=November 6, 2023}}

File:Ross Chastain, 2024 Daytona 500.jpg]]

Chastain started the 2024 season with a 21st place finish at the 2024 Daytona 500. Despite having four top-fives and nine top-tens during the regular season, Chastain would go winless and would miss the playoffs for the first time since 2021. During the playoffs, he held off William Byron to win at Kansas.{{ cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2024/09/29/nascar-cup-series-2024-kansas-playoff-race-recap/ |title=Chastain spoils playoff show at Kansas, posts first Cup Series win of the season |website=NASCAR |date=September 29, 2024 |access-date=September 29, 2024}} Following the Martinsville playoff race, the No. 1 was docked 50 owner and driver points and Chastain and the team were each fined {{USD}}100,000 for race manipulation, when Chastain and fellow Chevrolet driver Austin Dillon formed a blockade to allow William Byron to make the Championship 4. In addition, Surgen was suspended for the Phoenix finale.{{cite web |url=https://www.nascar.com/news-media/2024/11/05/nascar-issues-major-penalties-to-three-cup-series-teams-after-martinsville/ |title=NASCAR issues major penalties to three Cup Series teams after Martinsville |website=NASCAR |date=November 5, 2024 |access-date=November 6, 2024}}

In the Truck Series, Chastain returned to Niece Motorsports to drive the No. 45 truck to victory lane at Darlington.{{cite web |url=https://www.jayski.com/2024/05/11/opportunistic-ross-chastain-claims-emotional-nascar-truck-series-win-at-darlington/ |title=Opportunistic Ross Chastain claims emotional NASCAR Truck Series win at Darlington |website=Jayski's Silly Season Site |publisher=NASCAR Digital Media |date=May 11, 2024 |access-date=May 12, 2024}}

A native of Alva, Florida, Chastain was a watermelon farmer on his family's farm until he turned thirteen.{{cite web|last=McFadin|first=Daniel|url=http://nascar.nbcsports.com/2017/04/27/xfinity-spotlight-qa-with-ross-chastain-watermelon-farmer-turned-race-car-driver/|title=Xfinity Spotlight Q&A with Ross Chastain, watermelon farmer turned race car driver|publisher=NBC Sports|date=April 27, 2017|access-date=May 27, 2017}} He is a graduate of Riverdale High School in Fort Myers.{{cite web|url=http://www.fortmyers.org/local-teen-ross-chastain-speeds-toward-the-finish-line-in-his-first-nascar-season-race-this-friday-.html|title=Local Teen Ross Chastain Speeds Toward the Finish Line in His First NASCAR Season|last=Ramos-Williams|first=Connie|date=November 21, 2011|publisher=Greater Fort Myers Chamber of Commerce|access-date=June 3, 2012|location=Ft. Myers, FL|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130530111901/http://www.fortmyers.org/local-teen-ross-chastain-speeds-toward-the-finish-line-in-his-first-nascar-season-race-this-friday-.html|archive-date=May 30, 2013}} Chastain attended Florida Gulf Coast University for a semester before he began racing in the Truck Series.

While Chastain's father raced as a hobby, Ross is the first generation of his family to race competitively. Ross started racing at age twelve after seeing his father's hobby race and seeing other kids his age race. Ross is the older brother of Chad Chastain.

Motorsports pundits and fans have come up with a variety of rhyming monikers for Chastain, such as Ross "The Boss" originally coined by Mike Joy directly following the finish to the 2022 GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway which Chastain won.{{cite tweet|number=1503115879638216706|user=LASTCARonBROCK|title=.@mikejoy500 said Ross "The Boss" Chastain - it's canon now. 😄|date=March 13, 2022}}

^† As Chastain was a guest driver, he was ineligible for championship points.

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

{{sup|*}} Season still in progress

{{sup|1}} Ineligible for series points

{{sup|2}} Chastain began the 2019 season racing for Xfinity Series points but switched to Truck Series points before the SpeedyCash.com 400 at Texas.

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

{{Reflist}}

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{{Commons category|Ross Chastain}}

• {{official website|rosschastain.com/}}
• [https://www.trackhouse.com/nascar#Chastain Official profile at Trackhouse Racing]
• {{Racing-Reference driver|Ross_Chastain}}

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Category:1992 births

Category:NASCAR drivers

Category:Racing drivers from Florida

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