Ross Chastain believes he can win Cup Series championship as Trackhouse Racing expands

As Trackhouse Racing continues to expand with new drivers and series, Ross Chastain is confident he can win a NASCAR championship. If he doesn’t win a Bill France Cup in his career, it won’t be for a lack of resources from Trackhouse, that’s for sure.

Trackhouse Racing has taken NASCAR by storm in the last few years. Ross Chastain elevating the team to a major brand with his performance on the track has only helped further the expansion of the organization.

In 2023 and 2024, Trackhouse added Zane Smith on a multi-year deal. The team also signed Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch to development deals. There is a ton of talent there.

Chastain was recently asked by Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports if he believes he can win a championship. Of course, he does.

“I do. … Don’t need many words. I know my group, know our processes,” Chastain said. “As we continue to evolve we’ve sustained a second year and plan on a third year, so that’s all we ask for is a chance to contend, a chance to go compete and as long as we have a chance, then I do [believe].”

The Melon Man is excited about his new teammates as well. He wanted Zane at Trackhouse. He had worked with Zilisch in the past. And, we all know what SVG did at Chicago.

“They’re working with Zane, obviously have a lot of stuff going on outside, overseas,” Chastain explained. “Then with Connor, a guy that I’ve been training with for over a year on the Chevy program as he races other stuff, just a no-brainer. My only thing on Zane was, if we don’t hire him, we will get beat by him. So, I’m glad we have him on our side. Obviously, we saw Shane. We already know there, and I’m excited to watch him just learn America and learn how stuff works in NASCAR.”

Ross Chastain explains why he feels he’s a championship contender and his view on Trackhouse’s expansion in signing Shane van Gisbergen, Zane Smith and Connor Zilisch. pic.twitter.com/Ch5MXgMQBN

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 29, 2024

Ross Chastain needs to take the next step in 2024

In 2023, Ross Chastain won two races. He did the same in 2022. With the Busch Light sponsorship, growth at Trackhouse, and a new season ahead – Chastain needs to take that next step up in the Cup Series.

I know he was a Championship 4 driver in 2022. That was due to a once-in-a-lifetime wall-ride at Martinsville, though. There was more maturity from Chastain last season and he even elevated himself through his results, and drama he was embroiled in.

There is the infamous talk that Chastain had with Rick Hendrick last season. Many thought that led to a drop off in his performance on Sundays. That may be true, but I think we’re going to see a renewed Chastain in 2024. He’s got major sponsorship and is almost a household name at this point.

This season might be the year we look back on as the launching point for Ross Chastain. Between the Hail Melon, the wins, his rivalry with Denny Hamlin, smashing watermelons, punching Noah Gragson, and making the most powerful team owner in the sport so mad he tells you to stop wrecking his cars – Chastain is building a legacy and a brand of his own.