NASCAR Xfinity Series: Ross Chastain to run full 2019 schedule for two teams

Ross Chastain is set to drive for both Kaulig Racing and JD Motorsports in the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series season, and he is set to run the full schedule among these two teams.

Ross Chastain was set to drive full-time for Chip Ganassi Racing in the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series season after having success driving for the team in three races toward the end of the 2018 season.

Chastain drove the #42 Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet in the September races at Darlington Raceway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway as well as in the September round of 12 playoff race at Richmond Raceway. He drove the #4 JD Motorsports Chevrolet in the other 30 races on the 2018 schedule.

Chastain earned his first career pole position for the 147-lap race at Darlington Raceway and led 90 of its first 113 laps before he was involved in a crash with Kevin Harvick that ultimately resulted in him finishing in 25th place after completing only 145 laps.

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In the race at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Chastain started in fifth place and worked his way up to the lead by the third lap. He went on to dominate the race by leading 180 of its 200 laps en route to earning his first career Xfinity Series victory. While he did not lead any of the 250 laps of the race at Richmond Raceway, he finished it in second place after starting in third.

However, the FBI reportedly conducted twin raids on the headquarters of DC Solar and on the home of the company’s CEO, Jeff Carpoff, in late December. With DC Solar being the primary sponsor #42 Chevrolet, Chip Ganassi Racing announced that they would not compete in the Xfinity Series this year shortly after these raids took place, leaving Chastain without a ride for the 2019 Xfinity Series season.

But despite this setback, Chastain, who is set to compete full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series as the driver of the #15 Premium Motorsports Chevrolet this season, is set to compete in all 33 races on the 2019 Xfinity Series schedule after all. He is set to do so driving for two different teams.

Chastain is set to drive for Kaulig Racing and JD Motorsports in the 33-race 2019 season. He is set to drive the #10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet in three races, and he is set to drive the #4 JD Motorsports Chevrolet in the other 30.

When it was revealed that Chastain was set to drive full-time for Chip Ganassi Racing in the 2019 Xfintiy Series season, it was announced that Blake Koch would be his replacement behind the wheel of the #4 JD Motorsports Chevrolet. But Chastain is now set to return to JD Motorsports as the driver of the #4 Chevrolet, as Koch announced that he will instead be stepping away from racing to focus on his business, FilterTime.

The three races in which the 26-year-old Alva, Florida native is set to drive for Kaulig Racing are the season opener at Daytona International Speedway on Saturday, February 16, the 15th race of the season at Chicagoland Speedway on Saturday, June 29 and the 31st race of the season at Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, November 2. Nutrien Ag Solutions is set to sponsor him in each of these three races.

Here is what Chastain had to say about the opportunity to drive for Kaulig Racing for three races in the 2019 season, according to NASCAR.

"“I’m thrilled for this opportunity with Kaulig Racing. We’ve had quite the roller coaster of emotions in the offseason, but I am really looking forward to competing for wins this season. It is also a great honor to have a new sponsor on board with Nutrien Ag Solutions. Partnering with Nutrien Ag Solutions is a natural fit for me with my family’s legacy as watermelon farmers, and I’m excited to represent their growers and employees.”"

Here is what JD Motorsports team owner Johnny Davis had to say about Chastain returning to the team for the other 30 races in the 2019 season, according to NASCAR.

"“We here at JD Motorsports are looking forward to having Ross back in the No. 4 in 2019. He has shown his ability to wheel a race car time and time again while competing against some of the top teams in the sport. I am excited to see how far the improvements made in the off season will take the No. 4 car this year.”"

Prior to Chastain making his three starts for Chip Ganassi Racing toward the end of the 2018 season, he had only ever driven for JD Motorsports as a full-time driver in the Xfinity Series. The 2019 season is set to be his fifth season as a full-time driver in the series, as he has competed full-time in the series since the start of the 2015 season.

With Chastain set to compete full-time in the Xfinity Series once again in the 2019 season, he is set to compete for points in this series as opposed to the Cup Series despite the fact that he is set to drive in the Cup Series on a full-time basis as well. He was also not eligible to earn points in the Cup Series last season despite the fact that he competed in 34 of the season’s 36 races as a result of the fact that he competed for points in the Xfinity Series.

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The NASCAR Racing Experience 300 is the first race on the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series schedule, and it is scheduled to take place on Saturday, February 16 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. It is set to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 2:30 p.m. ET, so be sure not to miss it.

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