While Ross Chastain found himself on the sidelines for much of the NASCAR season last year, CATCHFENCE.com has learned that the Alva, Florida native will be quite busy in 2015.
Chastain will be announced as the new driver of the No. 4 Chevrolet Camaro for the South Carolina-based JD Motorsports with Gary Keller – in the NASCAR XFINITY Series (NXS) – as early as Monday afternoon, adding himself as a teammate to already announced drivers Landon Cassill and Harrison Rhodes. JD Motorsports will elevate their program to what is expected to be three full-time campaigns this season.
The 21-year old competed in seven NASCAR XFINITY Series races last year, earning a top-10 finish for car owner Shigeaki Hattori in the fall Kentucky Speedway event. The Floridian also participated in three NASCAR Camping World Truck Series events, finishing a best 11th for Win-Tron Racing in the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
As a whole, JD Motorsports with Gary Keller showed considerable improvement with their program overall last season. Mainstay driver Landon Cassill earned three top-10 finishes but earned recognition for the team’s consistency and “never give up attitude”, especially with their limited budget.
Team owner Johnny Davis told CATCHFENCE.com that he went the “extra mile” during the off-season, as well as keeping every employee employed, signifying their dedication towards making their 16th season of competition one of their best yet.
The addition of Chastain shows that Davis and partner Gary Keller are eager to prove their worthiness on the race track, which is often filled by highly funded NASCAR Sprint Cup Series affiliates. Chastain’s personality, in addition to driving abilities is a true score for the organization and is expected to surprise many – and could even make the team worthy of contending for a win or two – provided the right circumstances.
Sponsorship of Chastain’s ride is still being finalized, as well as a car number for Rhodes.
Jeffrey Earnhardt who piloted the No. 4 during the 2014 NASCAR XFINITY Series season has departed the team for another Chevrolet-based ride.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
