Ross Chastain Notches First Win For Trackhouse Racing

Ross Chastain celebrating his Cup Series win at COTA. Photo: Daylon Barr Photography

The Nashville-based Trackhouse Racing team won its first race at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas behind driver Ross Chastain on Sunday, March 27.

Chastain’s No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro has started off extremely hot in 2022. He finished in third place in Las Vegas and second in both Phoenix and Atlanta in back-to-back weekends prior to winning at COTA. His teammate Daniel Suarez in the No. 99 Camaro qualified second before finishing in 24th.

“When it comes to a Cup win, I can’t let that go down without a fight. Justin Marks, Trackhouse, AdventHealth, and a million Moose members better be celebrating tonight all across the country and the world,” Chastain said after the race.

The North Carolina native finished stage two of the race in eighth after starting in 16th. In the final lap, AJ Allmendinger snuck into first when Chastain pulled wide. Alex Bowman then got past Allmendinger with Chastain riding his bumper. Chastain’s pressure forced Allmendinger to collide with Bowman and allowed Chastain to take back the lead, ultimately winning the race.

Photo: Courtesy of Daylon Barr Photography

“AJ is so good, I’ve learned so much from him. How do you go beat the guy? He taught me so much,” added Chastain. “I can’t believe Justin Marks hired me to drive this car.”

Marks founded Trackhouse Racing in 2020 prior to its inaugural season in 2021. Suarez was the team’s only driver last season, but in late 2021 Trackhouse acquired Chip Ganassi’s NASCAR operations and took on Chastain as a second driver.

In 2021, Trackhouse’s best finish was at the Bristol Dirt Track when Suarez finished fourth.

So far this season, Suarez two fourth place finishes, and Chastain has four top five finishes and a win. Chastain sits in third place in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff standings while Suarez sits in13th.

The Trachouse Racing team heads to the Richmond Raceway this weekend for the Toyota Owners 400. The race is set for Sunday, April 3 at 2:30 p.m. CT.

Steven Boero