Ross Chastain has his attention on the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, but the accomplished driver is also anticipating changes to how many lower series events he can race in next season. As NASCAR considers adjusting participation limits, the prospect of expanded Ross Chastain NASCAR lower series participation is creating excitement for both Chastain and his teams.
Balancing Cup Title Contention With Lower Series Aspirations
Currently, Chastain, who drives for Trackhouse Racing, is tied for 11th with Joey Logano among the 16 NASCAR Cup playoff contenders, heading into the first postseason race at Darlington. Yet, while staying focused on a potential Cup championship, Chastain continues to look ahead at his opportunities to compete in the Xfinity Series—soon to be the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series—and the Craftsman Truck Series.
During a media session at Daytona International Speedway, Chastain shared his passion for staying active across NASCAR’s series.
“I don’t know if it’ll be able to happen, but I just love to race. My team is already working on the possibilities and putting together what races are companion and what races we have sponsorship for. We still have to fund it; either I have to fund it, which is how it’s been most of the time, or the team has to. We’re already working on hypotheticals for Truck and Xfinity.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver
Chastain explained that each chance to compete offers valuable benefits for his development as a racer.
“I want to win and any chance I get to win anything, I want to do it,”
—Ross Chastain, Driver. He also added,
“It’s on the same track, which I get a lot out of. The Truck Series is honestly as productive, probably more on throttle time—like gas and brake is more similar in a Truck right now than a Cup car now.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver
Chastain’s Record in NASCAR’s Premier and Lower Divisions
With 579 career starts across NASCAR’s three main series, Chastain brings considerable experience to every event. He has competed 249 times in the Cup Series, including a victory this year at the Coca-Cola 600. In addition, he’s notched 213 Xfinity starts, securing two wins, along with 117 Craftsman Truck Series outings and five victories at that level. This breadth of experience fuels his desire to keep active as NASCAR reevaluates its participation restrictions for Cup-level drivers in the lower series.
This season, Chastain has driven up to NASCAR’s current maximum of five races apiece in Xfinity for JR Motorsports and Trucks for Niece Motorsports, suggesting that his lower series involvement is already substantial. He finished as runner-up in one Truck event and scored two more top 10 finishes with Niece. Looking to the future, he’s likely to remain with JR Motorsports in the renamed O’Reilly Series and with Niece Motorsports for Trucks.
“When I drive for Niece Motorsports, I love everything Niece,”
—Ross Chastain, Driver. He went on,
“So I want to run as much as I can. And if I can help the program by funding or by helping a younger driver—I don’t know if I can—but I’m there if they need it.”
—Ross Chastain, Driver
Potential Changes and What Awaits Chastain
NASCAR has not yet formalized how many lower-tier races Cup drivers like Chastain can enter in 2025, but speculation is growing that the allowed number will rise to seven or eight events each in the O’Reilly and Craftsman Truck Series. This would grant Chastain, a Florida native and self-proclaimed watermelon farmer, more freedom to compete and potentially help both Niece Motorsports and JR Motorsports by lending his talent and experience to their campaigns.
The likely increase in race limits means Chastain will be able to maintain a busy schedule behind the wheel, benefit from additional seat time on various tracks, and possibly assist developing drivers within his affiliated teams. As NASCAR finalizes its rules, the motorsports community will be watching to see how expanded Ross Chastain NASCAR lower series participation might influence competition in those series during the next season.
