Ross Chastain will enter the 2023 NASCAR season looking to improve by one position after finishing second to Joey Logano in the chase for the NASCAR Cup Series championship last year.
Chastain, 30, was in his first season with Trackhouse Racing in the No. 1 car and had a breakout performance with two wins, 15 top-5 finishes, 21 top-10 finishes, and a 13.3 average finishing position.
However, the driver of the No. 1 car is in a contract year and will be the top free agent for the 2024 season. Due to this fact, Chastain has been linked to Stewart-Haas Racing and even commented on the possibility.
Related: Ross Chastain enters the season as NASCAR’s top free agent for 2024
Ross Chastain talks about his future at Trackhouse Racing, the possibility of replacing Kevin Harvick
As stated above, Chastain has been talked about as a potential replacement for Harvick at Stewart-Haas Racing after he announced his intentions to retire from the NASCAR Cup Series at the conclusion of the 2023 season.
The 30-year-old driver is the best free agent available and will likely be a hot commodity if he were to hit the open market. Well, how likely is it that Chastain will be in the pool of drivers looking for a new home?
Chastain discussed his future at Trackhouse Racing with FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass as the 2023 season begins soon in Los Angeles, California.
“We’ve made (Trackhouse Racing) a home, I think. That’s how it feels for me. We’re not ready to announce anything but I’m confident in the group that’s been confident with me.”
Ross Chastain on his future with Trackhouse Racing beyond 2023
Chastain sounds happy at Trackhouse Racing and it is not hard to understand why that is the case. The journey for him has been incredible as he climbed from lower-tier rides in the NASCAR Xfinity and Truck Series before becoming a Championship 4 contender.
However, until Chastain signs a deal with Trackhouse Racing, the door will be open for him to leave. This is what Chastain had to say about being in the conversation relating to Harvick’s potential replacements.
“It’s everything I have ever wanted. I mean, I’ve looked up to (Kevin Harvick) as long as I can remember. It’s absolutely incredible to even be talked about in the same room as him here at a media day…but I’m pretty happy where I’m at (with Trackhouse Racing).”
Ross Chastain on being talked about as Kevin Harvick’s replacement
This certainly is a situation that Chastain never could have imagined just a few years ago. The Florida native has turned himself into one of the best drivers in NASCAR after years of looking for the right opportunity to prove himself.
It sounds like Chastain has very high thoughts on Harvick; however, unless Trackhouse Racing decides to make the unthinkable decision to lowball or move on from him, his home will be with Justin Marks and Pitbull.