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 #4 Chevy Camaro for the South Carolina-based JD Motorsports with Gary Keller – in the NASCAR XFINITY Series, 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. Sponsorship of Chastain’s ride is still being finalized, as well as a car number for Rhodes. Jeffrey Earnhardt who piloted the #4 during the 2014 NASCAR XFINITY Series season has departed the team for another Chevy-based ride.(Catchfence)(1-26-2015)
UPDATE: Ross Chastain will drive the #4 Chevy for JD Motorsports with Gary Keller, with sponsorship from Watermelon.org, on this year’s NASCAR Xfinity Series. Chastain, 23, has four years of experience in the Camping World Truck Series and raced in seven Xfinity races last season, scoring a top 10 at Kentucky Speedway. “Ross has an amazing level of experience for a young driver,” said team owner Johnny Davis. “He brings a lot to our team. We’re looking forward to seeing how far we can go this year with his input and the support of Watermelon.org and the National Watermelon Association. It’s going to be a big year.” The JD Motorsports team also will benefit from sponsorship by the Helena Chemical Company. Founded in 1957, Helena Chemical has grown to be one of the nation’s foremost agricultural and specialty formulators and distributors.(JD Motorsports)(1-27-2015)
