By Seth Eggert, Staff Writer
Shortly after Ryan Newman had been released from Halifax Medical Center, Roush-Fenway Racing announced that Ross Chastain will sub for Newman at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Chastain will wheel the No. 6 Wyndham Rewards Ford Mustang in the Pennzoil 400 presented by Jiffy Lube. The Alva, FL native has four NASCAR Cup Series starts at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. His best finish, 20th, came in the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race.
“First and foremost, our focus remains with Ryan Newman and his family as he continues to recover,” said Roush Fenway president Steve Newmark. “We also want to express our sincere gratitude to all of those who have offered support and taken the time to send their thoughts and prayers to Ryan, his family and everyone at Roush Fenway Racing.”
For Chastain, the substitute role comes at the site of his breakout race. In 2018, he dominated the NASCAR Xfinity Series race. In a Chip Ganassi Racing Chevrolet, he went to victory lane for the first time in his NASCAR career. Chastain is still under contract at Ganassi.
Chip Ganassi is not the only NASCAR family member helping Roush-Fenway and Newman in their time of need. Chastain’s full-time team, Kaulig Racing, is also lending the 27-year-old’s driving services for Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
“The NASCAR community has long prided itself on being a close-knit family,” added Newmark. “That is never more evident than during these types of moments, and we want to express our appreciation to everyone at Chip Ganassi Racing as well as Kaulig Racing for allowing Ross to fill in for Ryan in the No. 6 on such short notice.”
Chastain will now run double-duty as he will drive the No. 10 Nutrien Ag Solutions Chevrolet Camaro SS in the Boyd Gaming 300.
The currently is no time table on Ryan Newman’s return to Roush-Fenway Racing following his frightening crash at the end of the Daytona 500 last weekend.