Ross Chastain through the years
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From watermelon farming to racing, Ross Chastain has had a full career, including his time in all three of NASCAR's national series. Check out some of his best moments through the years.
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Chastain first arrived in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series back in 2011. He made his first start at Indianapolis Raceway Park after Justin Marks vacated the seat.
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In 2012, Chastain completed his first full time season in the Truck Series with SS-Green Light Racing. He netted his first top-five finish at Bristol Motor Speedway and ended the year with four top 10s.
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Chastain made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at Charlotte Motor Speedway in 2014 for Viva Motorsports.
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Chastain joined JD Motorsports in 2015 for his first full-time ride in the Xfinity Series.
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Brian Lawdermilk | Getty Images
Chastain finally made his first start in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2017 for Premium Motorsports at Dover Motor Speedway. Chastain would drive again at Dover later that season.
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In 2018, Chastain announced he would return for his fourth full season in the Xfinity Series. He earned his first Xfinity win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Chastain also ran part-time in the Cup series and started 34 out of 36 races.
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In 2019, Chastain agreed to a Cup series deal with Premium Motorsports to run his first full-time season at the top level.
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Sean Gardner | Getty Images
That same year Chastain also competed full-time in the Truck Series with Niece Motorsports. He earned his first Truck Series win at Kansas Speedway and picked up two more wins that season and finished the campaign with 10 top fives and 19 top 10s.
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In 2020, Chastain moved back to Xfinity to run full-time. Chastain had a career year with Kaulig Racing, nabbing 15 top fives and 27 top-10 finishes.
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In 2021, Chastain was back in the Cup Series with Chip Ganassi Racing before Justin Marks and Trackhouse bought out CGR's NASCAR facilities. Chastain made his first test with Trackhouse after the season in November.
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In 2022, NASCAR returned to the Circuit of The Americas for its second Cup race at the track. Chastain emerged victorious for his first-ever win at the Cup level and began his tradition of smashing watermelons after wins.
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During the 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Round of 8 finale, Chastain was in position to be eliminated at Martinsville Speedway. On the last lap of the race, however, Chastain rode the wall -- deeming the name 'Hail Melon' -- to make the transfer and advance to his first Championship 4.
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2023 was Chastain's fourth full season in the Cup Series. He earned two wins on the season and was the first non-playoff driver to win the season finale race at Phoenix Raceway.
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Chad Cushing | For NASCAR Digital Media
The 2024 regular season didn't go the way Chastain would've liked, as the No. 1 pilot failed to clinch a Cup Series victory or a postseason berth in the Cup Series Playoffs -- but that didn't stop Chastain from playing the role of playoff spoiler. He did just that at Kansas Speedway to open the Round of 12, with his Midwest victory slotting in as his fifth career triumph in NASCAR's premier series.