NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Trackhouse Racing officials confirmed on Tuesday the team will retain Chip Ganassi Racing driver Ross Chastain to drive for the organization as it expands to two cars next season.
Trackhouse Racing is in the process of acquiring the assets of Chip Ganassi Racing as the team expands its NASCAR Cup Series operation.
Chastain will drive the team’s No. 1 Chevrolet, while current Trackhouse driver Daniel Suarez will continue to pilot the No. 99 entry.
Chastain, who currently drives for Ganassi, has been one of the sport’s hottest drivers the past three months. Trackhouse founder Justin Marks said he has been impressed with Chastain.
“Ross is a young, aggressive driver that we believe has the talent to win races at the Cup Series level,” said Marks. “We think his personality and work ethic will fit perfectly with Daniel as we build our organization for the 2022 season and beyond.”
In his brief Cup career of 101 races, Chastain has driven for Premium Motorsports, Spire Motorsports, and Roush Fenway Racing before he was signed to a full-time ride driving the No. 42 Camaro with Chip Ganassi Racing in 2021.
In 22 races this season, Chastain has posted two top-five finishes, including a runner-up finish at Nashville (Tenn.) Superspeedway, and seven top 10s.
Before his Cup Series career, Chastain scored two career victories in the Xfinity series (Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2018 and Daytona Int’l Speedway in 2019) and four wins in the Camping World Truck series.
Today’s announcement has Chastain focused on a bright future.
“This is another dream come true for me,” said Chastain. “Trackhouse is one of the most interesting organizations in the garage. The enthusiasm they bring off the track and the program they are building on the track is exciting. Working with Daniel and Justin, however I can, is my number one priority. I know that I can help build our Chevrolets to be as strong as possible.”
Chastain, 28, a native of Alva, Fla., earned the “Melon Man” nickname for his family’s history in the watermelon farming business.
Trackhouse Racing, a division of Trackhouse Entertainment Group, was founded in 2020 by Marks, who established the company’s headquarters in Nashville, Tenn. In October of 2020, Trackhouse announced it would field the No. 99 in the NASCAR Cup Series with Suárez.
The move effectively makes Cup Series veteran Kurt Busch, who will drive the No. 1 Chevy through the end of the season, a free agent.