NASCAR Xfinity Series: Ross Chastain to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing in 2019

Ross Chastain is set to make the switch from JD Motorsports to Chip Ganassi Racing for the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

Ross Chastain, who is currently in his fourth season as a full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series driver following one season as a part-time driver in the series, is set to switch teams in the 2019 season.

The 25-year-old Alva, Florida native, has competed full-time for JD Motorsports, primarily as the driver of the #4 Chevrolet, since the start of the 2015 season after spending time driving for Viva Motorsports, Hattori Racing Enterprises and TriStar Motorsports in the 2014 season.

Next season, Chastain is set to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing on a full-time basis behind the wheel of the #42 Chevrolet, the car he drove in three races earlier this season. He is set to be sponsored by DC Solar, one of the team’s current sponsors.

Here is what Chastain had to say about the opportunity to drive full-time for Chip Ganassi Racing in the 2019 season, according to NASCAR.

"“I’m just trying to not to throw up, honestly. It’s unreal. I’m an eighth-generation farmer from Florida who was fortunate enough to get a shot in top-flight equipment. I didn’t think anything like this would come about, at least not this soon…I felt like I made so many mistakes (driving the No. 42)… but they reassured me the entire time while I was thinking about all my mistakes. I knew that was my chance.”"

Here is what DC Solar co-founder and CEO Jeff Carpoff had to say about Chastain getting the opportunity to become the full-time driver of the #42 Chip Ganassi Racing in the 2019 season, according to NASCAR.

"“From the moment I met Ross, I knew there was something special about him, so the decision to support him came easy. Witnessing his raw talent, as well as his humility and gratitude for the opportunity, only confirmed that he would be a great representative for the DC Solar brand.”"

More from Xfinity Series

• NASCAR: Two new drivers linked to Joe Gibbs Racing
• NASCAR: Frankie Muniz linked to surprise landing spot
• NASCAR: How a sudden downfall inadvertently created a champion
• NASCAR: Kaulig driver linked to Joe Gibbs Racing for 2024
• NASCAR: Another top prospect leaves Toyota for 2024

The #42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet has been driven by a number of drivers this season, including full-time Chip Ganassi Racing Cup Series drivers Kyle Larson and Jamie McMurray as well as Justin Marks and John Hunter Nemechek, who currently does not have a ride lined up for him next season despite the fact that he just earned his first career Xfinity Series victory in the race at Kansas Speedway.

Over the course of his Xfinity Series career, Chastain has competed in 137 races. In these 137 races, he has earned a total of one victory, four top five finishes, 15 top 10 finishes and one pole position.

Chastain earned his first career victory in the race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in September, and he dominated this race, as he led 180 of its 200 laps. This race was one of his three races driving for Chip Ganassi Racing this season. In his other two races driving for the team this year, he finished in second and 25th place.

Chastain finished in second in the race at Richmond Raceway and 25th in the race at Darlington Raceway after starting from the pole position and dominating before he was involved in a wreck with Kevin Harvick.

The 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series is scheduled to get underway with the Daytona 300 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on Saturday, February 16, 2019. Be sure not to miss it to see how Ross Chastain will perform in his first race as the full-time driver of the #42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet.