Ross Chastain to Drive the No. 42 in 2021

Credit: Lisa Janine Cloud for Skirts and Scuffs 

Ross Chastain is getting a promotion to the NASCAR Cup Series next season to drive the No. 42 for Chip Ganassi Racing. 

Chastain, who is eighth in the Xfinity Series standings ahead of the Playoffs, will drive full-time for the organization. He has been a CGR development driver since 2018. 

“I can’t thank Chip enough for this opportunity," Chastain said. "The faith he and the organization showed me back in 2018 was a real turning point in my career, and I am extremely happy for the chance to join the team again. Racing in the Cup Series with a serious contender has always been my goal, and I’m looking forward to joining what is a very strong team.

“I know I have my work cut out for me, but I’m ready to get to work and help bring more success to the organization.”

Chastain has pieced together every ride opportunity possible since his DC Solar sponsorship dried out after the FBI raided the company, and the CEO was arrested and charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and money laundering. Last year, Chastain ran 54 races between the Cup and Xfinity Series, all while running for a championship in the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series. 

“In three races with our organization in 2018 and watching ever since, he showed me and everyone else that he is a tenacious driver who wants to win,” car owner Chip Ganassi said in a statement. “We believe that Ross will give our team the opportunity to be competitive each week and our sponsors someone to build a program around. Additionally, his racing background has him well-suited to make the move to the Cup Series.”

The news comes after months of Silly Season talks that Richard Petty Motorsports’ Bubba Wallace was the top prospect to fill the seat. Ganassi offered the 26-year-old a contract deal, but withdrew their offer after Wallace failed to quickly inform them of a decision. 

Chastain, 27, will replace Matt Kenseth after the veteran driver was hired to replace Kyle Larson in April. Larson was fired from the team after he uttered a racial slur on a public iRacing channel. 

Chastain is looking for his first Xfinity Series victory of the season as the series heads to Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the post-season opener. He has 13 top-five finishes this season, including five second-place finishes, throughout 26 races driving for Kaulig Racing. 

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Before she even knew what NASCAR was, Courtney watched the races while sitting in her father’s lap. When she attended her first race at Talladega, her love for the sport grew even stronger.

In addition to her Trackin’ Trucks column for Skirts and Scuffs, Courtney runs her own blog, ChasingtheScoreboard.com. She is a receptionist for a daycare headquarters and enjoys attending country music concerts whenever one is in town