Homestead Race Puts Ross Chastain In Win-Tron Racing Truck At Homestead

Topics:  Ross Chastain, Ford EcoBoost 200

Chris Knight
Knight Motorsports Management
November 12, 2014

HOMESTEAD, Florida (November 12, 2014) - - Ross Chastain hasn’t had the opportunity to race as much as he would have liked to this NASCAR season.

That won’t be the case though this weekend at Homestead-Miami (Fla.) Speedway, as Win-Tron Racing confirmed that the likable Florida driver will pilot the team’s No. 35 Toyota Tundra in Friday night’s Ford EcoBoost 200.

Chastain won’t just compete for Win-Tron Racing though. On Monday, TriStar Motorsports announced that the Alva, Florida native will also compete in the NASCAR Nationwide Series season finale in Saturday afternoon’s Ford EcoBoost 300.

The challenges of competing in two races this weekend could be daunting for any driver, but for Chastain, the opportunity is one he’ll embrace and hope to bring Win-Tron Racing their best finish of the season.

Roughly two and a half hours south of his hometown, Chastain will bring a recognizable partner for his third and final NCWTS race of the year, Watermelon.org and the National Watermelon Association (NWA).

Bob Morrissey, the executive director of the National Watermelon Association offered his thoughts on this weekend’s partnership.

“On behalf of the nationwide members of the National Watermelon Association, we are delighted that Ross (Chastain) will once again drive the “Watermelon” machine in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series finale. With his help, let’s all enjoy some delicious watermelon available year-round and go racing!”

The National Watermelon Association was organized in 1914. Originally it was called the "Melon Distributors Association," but as the organization grew and the goals became more defined, the name was changed (in 1945) to the "National Watermelon Growers & Distributors Association".

In 1979, Growers & Distributors was dropped from the name, resulting in the current "National Watermelon Association." NWA has members in 30 states. Its purpose of the Association is to promote the best interests of the Watermelon Industry from production to consumption.

“Getting the opportunity to run the fourth year in a row at Homestead is almost surreal,” said Chastain, who hoists a best finish of second, twice in 43 NCWTS starts. “It’s the closest track to where I grew up, so we’ll have a lot of hometown people in the stands to watch and root us on. That’s humbling enough.

“I can’t thank Mark (Smith) and everyone at Pro Motor Engineering, along with Kevin (Cywinski) and Nate (Thiesse) and the guys at Win-Tron Racing for this great opportunity. Without them, this would not be possible. I’m looking forward to Friday night.”

Statistically speaking, the South Florida racetrack has proven to be one of the best for the 21-year old driver. In three previous start, Chastain hoists two top-10 finishes, including a personal best effort of eighth last November after starting fifth.

“I don’t know what it is, I just really like the track,” Chastain added. “It’s a great facility with a predominant racing groove and often reveals some intense racing. I don’t expect anything less with a championship on the line and all. But, if we have our opportunity to shine in front of all the heavy-hitter stories around, you better believe we’re going to try and see if we can’t steal the win. 2012 brought a surprise winner. We’re hoping we can do the same two years later.”

Nate Thiesse, co-truck owner of Win-Tron Racing shared equal enthusiasm about having Chastain behind the wheel of the No. 35 Watermelon.org / National Watermelon Association Toyota Tundra in the 23rd race of the season.

“Ross is a fine young man and such a talented driver,” he said. “We’ve been watching him over the past couple of years and his progression as a racecar driver has been astounding. We’re glad he’s on our team for Friday night’s season finale and hope we can close the curtain on the year with a strong performance.”

The Ford EcoBoost 200 (134 laps / 201 miles) is the 22nd and final race on the 2014 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series schedule. The event will be televised live on FOX Sports 1, MRN Radio and SiriusXM Satellite Radio Channel 90 on Friday night, November 14 beginning at 7:30 p.m. The green flag is scheduled to drop at approximately 8:18 p.m. All times Eastern.

Follow Win-Tron Racing on Twitter @WinTronRacing or log on to Win-TronRacing.com.

For more on Ross Chastain, please visit RossChastain.com.

Ogata tweets too, follow him @RossChastain

About the National Watermelon Association:

The National Watermelon Association was organized in 1914. Originally it was called the "Melon Distributors Association," but as the organization grew and the goals became more defined, the name was changed (in 1945) to the "National Watermelon Growers & Distributors Association". In 1979, Growers & Distributors was dropped from the name, resulting in the current "National Watermelon Association." NWA has members in 30 states, Canada and Central America with chapters in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois-Indiana, Maryland-Delaware, North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas and the Western U.S. The purpose of the Association is to promote the best interests of the Watermelon Industry from production to consumption. NWA is constantly seeking improvements in the growing, grading, handling, transportation, distribution and sale of watermelons.

About Win-Tron Racing:

Located in Mooresville, North Carolina, Win-Tron Racing (Win-TronRacing.com / @WinTronRacing) is the home of one the most potent ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards single-car operations. Owned by former racers Kevin Cywinski and Nate Thiesse, the team since has acquired the assets of County Joe Racing, becoming a favorable fixture on the circuit. Since Win-Tron Racing’s inception in 2007, the team has hosted a variety of drivers including leading drivers James Buescher, Blake Bjorklund, Justin Marks, Matt Merrell and Brandon McReynolds to their first career ARCA victories. In 2014, the team will begin its eighth year of competition with a full-time presence in the ARCA Racing Series presented by Menards and the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.

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