Ross Chastain subs in for an injured Ryan Newman at RFR (2020)
Join me throughout this year as I take a look at when some of the sport’s biggest stars drove some unusual cars! (Presented in no particular order).
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| Ross Chastain racing Kurt Busch, Courtesy Racer |
Why? After several years in mostly backmarker equipment in all three national touring series, Ross Chastain found himself with a full-time Xfinity Series ride in 2020 with Kaulig Racing. However, Ryan Newman’s vicious wreck in the Daytona 500 necessitated a substitute, and RoushFenway chose the experienced Chastain for the role.
How successful were they? Thrown into the 6 car with only a few days of prep-time, it’s perhaps understandable that Chastain would finish 27th, 17th, and 23rd in three races. Any further starts were stymied by the sport shutting down for the COVID-19 pandemic.
What was the aftermath? Newman returned to the 6 car, while Chastain would return to the Cup Series in 2021 for Chip Ganassi Racing. He stayed with the team as it transitioned to Trackhouse Racing, and has posted five Cup wins since.
Ranking on the Strange-O-Meter? 6 watermelons out of 10—Chastain had what it took to be a substitute on short notice, but its still an odd choice—he wasn’t even a Ford driver.
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