“The road to 56 starts now”: Ross Chastain opens up about his shift from ‘quantity’ to ‘quality’

NASCAR is changing its rules for 2026. Ross Chastain now has a bigger opportunity. The new rule allows Cup Series drivers to take part in up to 10 races in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (which replaces the Xfinity Series) and up to 8 races in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Adding that to the 38 Cup races, Chastain can now race in a total of 56 events next year. Talking about his aim for the next season, the 32-year-old said,

“The road to 56 starts now,” Chastain said. “Yeah, we’re already working on it. I think it’s the best thing I can do, and Trackhouse (Racing) is in full support of it.” (via fanbuzz.com)

Ross Chastain’s 2026 plan is about doing it right. In the past, he raced almost every weekend, sometimes more than once. In 2019, he made 77 starts in the Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series combined.

“I might have even done a start and park that year,” Chastain told Fanbuzz.

Trackhouse Racing supports this new plan fully. The team wants Ross Chastain in fast cars in every race he enters, whether it’s on Sunday in the Cup Series or in lower divisions. For 2026, he’ll drive for JR Motorsports in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and for Niece Motorsports in the Truck Series.

“We’re not start and parking. Trackhouse expects me to be fast on Saturday and Sunday. They’re trying to put me in the best cars on Sunday. There’s an expectation out of the other teams I drive for. So it’s got to be quality. Early in my career, I was quantity 99% of the time. Now, I’m quality.”

Earlier this year, the 32-year-old finished fourth in a Truck race at Charlotte before winning the Coca-Cola 600 the next day in a backup Cup car.

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Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen to return with JR Motorsports in 2026

Ross Chastain in NASCAR: Cup Series-South Point 400 Practice and Qualifying - Source: Imagn

Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen will be back with JR Motorsports next season. NASCAR analyst Joseph Srigley confirmed that both Trackhouse Racing drivers will return for part-time runs in the 2026 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet.

The two drivers split time in the same car this past season and left a strong impression. Ross Chastain raced five times for JR Motorsports and collected three top-five finishes at Darlington Raceway, Nashville Superspeedway, and Iowa Speedway. He also scored a top-ten at Circuit of the Americas. His only rough outing was at Dover, where he finished 38th after an early incident.

Shane van Gisbergen, who joined Trackhouse this year, raced in three Xfinity races in the No. 9 Chevy. The New Zealand driver won one race, took second in another, and had an unlucky crash at Watkins Glen.

After reviewing both drivers’ performances, JR Motorsports decided to extend their contracts. Srigley posted the update on social media:

“NEWS: @RossChastain and @ShaneVG97 will compete part-time in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2026, driving the No. 9 for @JRMotorsports.”

Along with Ross Chastain and Shane van Gisbergen, Daniel Suarez will also drive the No. 9 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports. Suarez recently won at Autódromo Hermanos Rodríguez, his home track in Mexico City. The team will also have Truck Series driver Rajah Caruth behind the wheel of the No. 88 Chevy.

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Edited by Tushhita Barua