NASCAR Rumors: Ross Chastain comments on Trackhouse's third car possibility amid Shane van Gisbergen talks

Ahead of the Cook Out 400 at Richmond Raceway, Ross Chastain shared his take on the possibility of Trackhouse Racing acquiring a third charter for the 2025 season. Justin Marks-owned Trackhouse Racing needs to decide on whom to give the additional entry as there are two drivers under contract but only one car.

Trackhouse Racing fields two full-time drivers, Daniel Suarez and Ross Chastain, piloting the #99 and #1 Chevys, respectively. The highly anticipated expansion of up to three cars will come with a charter acquired from Stewart-Haas Racing as the latter announced they would shut their operations at the end of the season. This leaves Marks with a decision to choose between the talented Shane van Gisbergen and Zane Smith, who is loaned to Spire Motorsports this year.

In a recent conversation, Fox Sports' Bob Pockrass asked #1 Chastain's views on the expansion amid the rumors of Shane van Gisbergen transitioning from Xfinity to Cup Series for the 2025 season. Chastain said:

"I've told it, any driver under the Trackhouse umbrella, as they all look and do their, are going through their careers, to not look at the #1 car, it's locked up for a long time. And if you, Bob, you know me, I don't believe for a minute that I understand what's going through Justin Marks' mind."

"So, five years ago, I would have never thought a cup team was in his future and here we are, contenting for race wins and the playoffs with him. And whatever's next, I'm here for the ride, but I'm his driver of the #1 car." he added.

Shane van Gisbergen currently drives full-time for Kaulig Racing in partnership with Trackhouse Racing in the Xfinity Series. In his rookie season, the Supercars champion has acquired three wins already. However, the Kiwi has less experience as compared to Smith in the NASCAR series.

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Ross Chastain on clinging to the final spot of the playoff cutline

Recently, Ross Chastain shared his two cents on the 2024 playoff concerns as NASCAR approaches the final four races of the regular season.

Before NASCAR broke for the two-week hiatus, the 31-year-old Chastain was seven points above the playoff cutline. With 23XI Racing driver Bubba Wallace closing in on Chastain, the #1 Chevy driver opened up on his concerns and approach. He said (via NASCAR):

"Approach for me is a constant evolution. Really, no two weeks are ever the same. If I find something that’s going to help me better physically, then I do it. My weeks and my preparation are really never the same."

"We can’t try any harder now than we did before the break," he added.

As NASAR gets ready for the fourth last race of the regular season at Richmond Raceway, Ross Chastain has accumulated two top-5 and seven top-10 finishes from 22 starts.