Ross Chastain eclipses 100 starts

HAMPTON, Ga. — Ross Chastain became the 214th driver in the history of the NASCAR Cup Series to race in at least 100 starts in NASCAR’s premier series.

Chastain started ninth in the Quaker State 400 Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, finishing 21st, one lap down.

“I did not know that until this week,” Chastain said of start 100 to The Racing Experts. “I remember my first one, and I had the same wake up and butterfly feeling and twisted stomach this morning.”

THROUGH THE YEARS

Chastain, a multi-winner in the Xfinity Series and Camping World Truck Series, first raced in the Cup Series in May 2017 at Dover International Speedway for Premium Motorsports, finishing 20th.

Chastain drove for Premium Motorsports in 69 of 72 races between 2018 and 2019, earning his first Top-10 in the 2019 Daytona 500.

In 2020, Chastain raced in eight events, including three races as a substitute for an injured Ryan Newman at Roush Fenway Racing.

2021 is the first season the Chip Ganassi Racing driver is collecting points in the Cup Series.

STATS

Through 100 races, Chastain has earned 2 Top-5 finishes, 6 Top-10 finishes and 53 laps led.

Ryan Preece is on pace to hit the 100-start mark this season with 98 starts after Atlanta.

The first driver to hit the 100-start mark was three-time champion Lee Petty in 1953.

SOURCES
Racing-Reference.info
Team Chevrolet