Late Monday morning, Chip Ganassi Racing announced that Ross Chastain would drive the team’s 42 Chevrolet in 2021. The Alva, Florida native will take the place of Matt Kenseth, who has held the seat since NASCAR’s return in May.
Chip Ganassi Racing has been partnered with Chastain since 2018. He is a development driver for the team. Currently, Chastain competes as a Xfinity Series regular in the Kaulig Racing stable. He just qualified for the playoffs this past weekend in Bristol with his second place finish.
Fans, you've been waiting… It's time to 𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙖𝙡 who will pilot the No. 42 car in 2021 👇🏼
INFO: https://t.co/prBcxhctql pic.twitter.com/SHPpWYYOsa
— Chip Ganassi Racing (@CGRTeams) September 21, 2020
Chastain to Ganassi’s 42 Cup Car
2021 will be his first year driving for Chip Ganassi in the Cup Series. However, this not his first with the team. Chastain drove the team’s Xfinity car to a victory at Las Vegas and a Pole. During his stint in 2018, Chastain also clinched a spot in the Xfinity playoffs because of the opportunity. He will now take over a seat that has been in the playoffs four out of the last five years.
In 2020, Chastain has not been as successful as many had thought going in. This is his first full-time season with Kaulig Racing and while his teammates have found victory lane, Chastain has not. This opened many to question if he was the fit for the 42 ride. Chip Ganassi quickly answered that.
“Ross has been a part of this organization for a few years now, and I am happy to announce him as our driver for the No. 42 team. In three races with our organization in 2018 and watching ever since, he showed me and everyone else that he is a tenacious driver who wants to win,” Ganassi said in a release. “We believe that Ross will give our team the opportunity to be competitive each week and our sponsors someone to build a program around. Additionally, his racing background has him well-suited to make the move to the Cup Series.”
2019, Chastain was scheduled to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing in the Xfinity Series full-time until a setback with sponsorship halted that move. He would compete for a Truck Series championship that year. Winning three races on his way to competing in Homestead for the top honor at the end of the year. He would end up in the runner-up spot for that honor.
This season he made the move to Xfinity full-time. He filled in for the injured Ryan Newman at the beginning of the 2020 season following the Daytona 500. Chastain is known for his ability to drive in all three series nearly every weekend. That had to change due to COVID-19 and many other reasons for the ‘Melon Man’. He is very appreciative of Chip Ganassi and the opportunity he is about to be given.
“I can’t thank Chip enough for this opportunity,” Chastain said in a release by the team. “The faith he and the organization showed me back in 2018 was a real turning point in my career, and I am extremely happy for the chance to join the team again especially with all the great guys they have on the 42 and to be able to team with a champion like Kurt Busch. Racing in the Cup Series with a serious contender has always been my goal, and I’m looking forward to joining what is a very strong team. I know I have my work cut out for me, but I’m ready to get to work and help bring more success to the organization.”
Chastain will compete for an Xfinity Series Championship starting this weekend at Las Vegas. The Alsco 300 is scheduled to begin at 6:30pm on Saturday on NBCSN and PRN.
