Ross Lee Chastain Bio
Ross Lee Chastain (born December 4, 1992) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Trackhouse Racing, and part-time in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet Camaro SS for JR Motorsports. He is the older brother of fellow NASCAR driver Chad Chastain.
Early Life and Background
Ross Chastain was born in Alva, Florida, United States. He grew up in a family where his father, Ralph Chastain, raced as a hobby, which sparked Ross’s interest in racing at a young age. He began racing at the age of twelve, competing in late model and Fastruck Series events at local tracks such as Punta Gorda Speedway, Citrus County Speedway, Auburndale Speedway, and DeSoto Speedway. His early racing career was marked by competing on a tight budget, a challenge he continued to face as he advanced in NASCAR.
Chastain attended Riverdale High School in Fort Myers, Florida, and briefly attended Florida Gulf Coast University before focusing full-time on his racing career. His early success includes winning the World Series Of Asphalt Limited Late Model Championship in 2011, where he won three of eight events in the series.
Path to NASCAR
Chastain’s path to NASCAR began in the Camping World Truck Series in 2011, where he took over the No. 66 Turn One Racing entry. Early in his Truck Series career, he earned a tenth-place finish at Lucas Oil Raceway and later secured a third-place finish at Bristol in 2012. In 2013, he drove for Brad Keselowski Racing and won his first Truck Series pole at Iowa Speedway, finishing second in that race.
After part-time schedules and team changes in the Truck Series and Xfinity Series, Chastain joined JD Motorsports in 2015, where he began to establish himself in the Xfinity Series. His aggressive driving style and consistent performances earned him opportunities with teams such as Chip Ganassi Racing and Kaulig Racing, leading to his debut in the NASCAR Cup Series in 2017 with Premium Motorsports.
Ross Lee Chastain Career
Early Career (2011–2016)
Chastain’s early career was rooted in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, where he competed part-time and full-time with various teams including Turn One Racing, SS-Green Light Racing, Brad Keselowski Racing, and RBR Enterprises. He showed promise with top-ten finishes and poles, notably a third-place finish at Bristol and a pole at Iowa Speedway in 2013.
In 2014, Chastain made his debut in the Nationwide Series (now Xfinity Series) and began to transition more towards stock car racing’s higher tiers. He joined JD Motorsports in 2015, earning multiple top-ten finishes and gaining valuable experience that would pave the way for his future success in NASCAR’s national series.
NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series Breakthrough (2017–2021)
Chastain’s 2017 season in the Xfinity Series was a career-best at the time, finishing thirteenth in points with multiple top-five and top-ten finishes. That year, he also made his Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series debut with Premium Motorsports, finishing twentieth in his first race at Dover.
In 2018, Chastain ran a full Xfinity Series season with JD Motorsports and part-time Cup races with Premium Motorsports. He earned his first Xfinity Series win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway driving for Chip Ganassi Racing, which secured his first playoff berth. Despite challenges, including losing a win due to disqualification in the Truck Series, he continued to build his reputation as a competitive driver.
In 2019, Chastain won his first NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series race at Kansas Speedway and secured multiple wins in the Truck and Xfinity Series. He also competed full-time in the Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing in 2020 and made select Cup Series starts, including substituting for an injured Ryan Newman at Roush Fenway Racing.
Chastain’s Cup Series career advanced significantly in 2021 when he joined Chip Ganassi Racing full-time, finishing seventh in the Daytona 500 and showing consistent performance. Later that year, he signed a multi-year deal with Trackhouse Racing to drive the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 starting in 2022.
Trackhouse Racing Era (2022–Present)
Ross Chastain’s tenure with Trackhouse Racing has been marked by breakthrough performances and career milestones. In 2022, he earned his first career Cup Series win at the Circuit of the Americas and followed it with a victory at Talladega Superspeedway. His innovative “wall-riding” move at Martinsville Speedway, dubbed “Hail Melon,” became a viral sensation and helped him secure a spot in the Championship 4, ultimately finishing second in the points standings.
In 2023, Chastain continued to demonstrate his competitiveness with wins at Nashville and the season finale at Phoenix, finishing ninth in the points standings. Early in 2025, he made history by winning the Coca-Cola 600 after starting last, becoming the first driver in the modern Cup Series era to do so.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ross Chastain is known for his aggressive and strategic driving style, excelling on a variety of track types including superspeedways and road courses. His ability to adapt and innovate, exemplified by his “Hail Melon” wall-riding maneuver, showcases his racecraft and willingness to take calculated risks. Chastain’s partnerships with crew chiefs and spotters have been integral to his success, enabling strong in-race adjustments and strategy execution.
Notable Races and Milestones
Chastain’s signature races include his first Cup Series win at Circuit of the Americas in 2022 and his historic victory at the 2025 Coca-Cola 600, where he passed the dominant leader in the closing laps after starting last. His “Hail Melon” move at Martinsville in 2022 remains one of the most talked-about moments in recent NASCAR history, highlighting his creativity and determination.
Ross Lee Chastain Career Wins
Ross Chastain has accumulated multiple wins across NASCAR’s national series, including the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series. His victories reflect a steady progression from regional success to national prominence, with key wins that have defined his career trajectory.
NASCAR Cup Series Highlights
Chastain secured his first Cup Series win at the Circuit of the Americas in 2022, followed by a win at Talladega Superspeedway the same year. He added victories at Nashville and the Phoenix season finale in 2023. His 2025 Coca-Cola 600 win was historic, as he became the first driver in the modern era to win a race starting from last place.
Other Wins & Performances
In the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, Chastain won multiple races including the 2019 Digital Ally 250 at Kansas Speedway and the CarShield 200 at Gateway. He was named the 2019 Truck Series Most Popular Driver and has shown strong performances in the Xfinity Series with wins for Chip Ganassi Racing and Kaulig Racing.
Ross Lee Chastain Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Ross Chastain comes from a family with a racing hobbyist background; his father, Ralph Chastain, raced as a hobby, inspiring Ross to pursue competitive racing. Ross is the older brother of Chad Chastain, who is also a NASCAR driver, continuing the family’s involvement in motorsports.
Personal Life
Ross Chastain was a watermelon farmer on his family’s farm until he turned thirteen, reflecting his rural Florida roots. He is in a relationship with Erika Anne Turner. Chastain attended Riverdale High School and briefly studied at Florida Gulf Coast University before dedicating himself fully to racing. His height is 177 cm and he weighs approximately 75 kg.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Ross Chastain began the NASCAR Cup Series season with a challenging 40th-place finish at the Daytona 500. He rebounded with a landmark victory at the Coca-Cola 600, where he made history by winning after starting last, a first in the modern Cup Series era. This win demonstrated his resilience and skill in high-pressure situations.
Chastain’s performance in 2025 continues to build on his momentum with Trackhouse Racing, showcasing his ability to compete at the highest level. His strategic driving and adaptability position him as a strong contender for the remainder of the season and beyond.
