Ross Chastain to pilot No. 42 in Xfinity for Chip Ganassi Racing

AVONDALE, Ariz. — Ross Chastain will race full-time for Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the team announced Friday at ISM Raceway. Chastain made 129 starts in the series with underfunded teams before Ganassi tabbed the Florida native to drive the No. 42 Xfinity car at Darlington, Las Vegas, and Richmond.

Prior to joining CGR, Chastain had led for just 16 laps and  scored just two top-five finishes. In the three races, Chastain led for 270 laps and won his first career race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.

“I’m an eighth-generation farmer from Florida who was fortunate enough to get a shot in top-flight equipment,” Chastain said. “I’m incredibly grateful to everyone, especially my family, who helped me get to this point. I’ve had a great run with Johnny Davis Motorsports and it’s obvious I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without Johnny’s support.

“I have been racing everything that I can since breaking into NASCAR seven years ago. Until DC Solar and Chip (Ganassi) gave me a shot in Darlington, nobody knew who I was. I want to remain humble. I enjoy being the underdog. Excited or thrilled doesn’t begin to capture how I feel about joining CGR full time.

“I’m eager to take full advantage of the opportunity in front of me. The obvious goal is to win races, compete for an Xfinity Series Championship and represent DC Solar to the best of my ability.”

Chip Ganassi praised sponsor DC Solar for hand picking Chastain to drive the car.

“DC Solar is a great example of partnership,” the team owner said. “Since coming to our organization, both of our teams have worked together to build a platform that is beneficial to their business.”

When we first talked about putting Ross in the car this year, this was something that Jeff (Carpoff, CEO& Co-Founder of DC Solar) and Paulette (Carpoff, President & CEO) felt strongly about and Ross made the most of the opportunity running well in all three races and bringing home a win and a runner-up finish. We are looking forward to him continuing that success in 2019 and competing for his first NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship.”

Ross Chastain will race the final two NASCAR Xfinity Series races in Phoenix and Homestead this year with JD Motorsports before kicking off the 2019 campaign with his new team.