VERNON, N.Y. — NASCAR Cup Series star Ross Chastain is going Northeastern dirt modified racing.
Chastain, affectionately known as the ‘Melon Man’ for his family’s watermelon-farming roots, will compete at Utica-Rome Speedway on July 20 during the ‘Richie Evans Remembered’ Bob Hilbert Sportswear Short Track Super Series Fueled By Sunoco event.
Chastain will compete in the 61-lap, $6,100-to-win STSS Modified event as a teammate to reigning track champion Matt Sheppard.
While Chastain, 30, who competes full-time in Cup Series competition for Trackhouse Racing, has entered dirt-track super late model races, he has never turned a lap in a center-steer Northeastern dirt Modified.
Chastain, of Alva, Fla., forged a connection with Sheppard’s Hurlock Auto & Speed No. 9s race team via the Delaware-based Givens family, watermelon farmers, growers for Melon 1 and supporters of both Sheppard and Chastain.
The conversation, which included Sheppard and supporter Alfred Hughes, a friend of the Givens, led to Chastain making his modified debut with the STSS.
The ‘Richie Evans Remembered’ event, celebrating the legacy of Richie Evans, a NASCAR Hall of Fame member, coincides with the NASCAR weekend at Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pa., affording Chastain the opportunity.
“I can’t wait to get to Utica-Rome Speedway to participate in the Richie Evans Remembered 61 event with the STSS Modifieds and Matt Sheppard,” Chastain said.
“When the Givens family brought me this opportunity, I had to take advantage of it. Matt runs a first-class program, and I am thankful for the chance to race with some of the best, honoring one of the best, Richie Evans. Although I have never competed in a Northeastern dirt Modified, I am excited to learn and compete before Pocono.”