Ross Chastain shifts focus back to playoffs task in Cup Series following Xfinity run

After finishing 12th in Saturday's Xfinity Series race, Ross Chastain is now focused on his playoff duties in the Cup Series. Chastain, who drives the No. 1 Chevrolet Camaro for Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series, is just 27 points below the provisional playoff cutline.

This season, Chastain is slated to drive the No. 92 Chevy Camaro for DGM Racing in five select Xfinity races. His first Xfinity race of 2024 was at Dover Motor Speedway in April.

"It's always a pleasure to welcome Ross back to the team and build on our momentum from years past," DGM Racing owner Mario Gosselin said in an earlier statement (via Speed Sport). "We're thankful for the partnership with Chevrolet and to Trackhouse Racing for allowing him to compete with us year after year. "

Yesterday, the Florida native started 24th (Row 12) alongside Jesse Love of Richard Childress Racing. Recalling his latest run at the iconic racetrack, the Chevy star wrote in a recent post on X:

"Didn’t start the race exactly how we wanted our #UseYourMelon #SoberOrSlammer @SCDPS_PIO Camaro to drive but the @dgm_racing_ crew went to work on it and found some speed right at the end to finish P12! On to the Southern 500 tomorrow. 💪"

In his last six starts at the 1.366-mile racetrack, Chastain amassed two top-5s, one of which came back in 2021 when he used to drive for Chip Ganassi Racing and the other in 2023, driving the No. 1 Trackhouse Camaro. In his 10 starts at Darlington Raceway, Chastain has led a combined 129 laps.

Ross Chastain reflects on his 2021 run at Darlington Raceway

NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain speaks with the media before practice for the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. (Source: Imagn)

In a media availability at Darlington, Ross Chastain reminisced about his debut race at Darlington Raceway, which was back in May 2021. Although he finished 15th in the race, Chastain knew he could win a race at the track and that thought hasn't left his mind since then.

"We've had opportunities to win the Southern 500," Chastain told the reporters. "We've had opportunities to win a couple of races in the spring and fall here in a different series. That's my goal. The math says we can do it either way, but my preparation and my mentality...and it's been this way in Cup since the very first spring race that I came here in 2021."

"I left here that weekend and thought we can win a Cup race at Darlington one day and that thought hasn't left my mind since," he added.

Ross Chastain qualified 22nd for Sunday's Cup Series race, which starts at 6 PM ET. He will start alongside Rick Ware Racing's Justin Haley in Row 11. Bubba Wallace, Carson Hocevar, Chase Briscoe, Kyle Larson, and Martin Truex Jr. will make the top 5.

The 2022 Championship runner-up is looking forward to the playoffs this year. He has never missed the playoffs in the last two years since he joined Trackhouse Racing. Chastain can either earn points on his way to the playoff rumble or win tomorrow to secure a spot in the same.

"I just know the best way that we can ensure it is to win," Chastain said, speaking of the current playoff picture.

Ross Chastain is currently 14th in the regular Cup Series standings with 631 points to his name. The 31-year-old has had three top-five finishes to his name in this season's Cup Series.