DC Solar and Chip Ganassi Racing (CGR) announce today that the clean energy company will continue their partnership with CGR to include sponsorship of the No. 42 DC Solar Chevrolet Camaro SS in the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series (NXS). Recent series winner, Ross Chastain will compete full-time in the No. 42 DC Solar Chevy during the 2019 NXS campaign.
Chastain made the most of his career-changing three NXS starts this season driving the No. 42 DC Solar Chevy for CGR. In those three starts he led 270 of 597 laps, won a pole and captured his first series win at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the DC Solar 300. Prior to his first start with CGR, he had only led 14 laps and had just one top-five and two top-10 finishes. Chastain is currently ninth in the NXS driver point standings.
NOTES OF INTEREST:
· Their Presence is Being Felt: DC Solar’s investment in the sport has helped them to become one of the more recognizable brands both on and around the track in NASCAR. DC Solar provides mobile solar lighting solutions, EV chargers, and power stations to numerous tracks, including Charlotte Motor Speedway, ISM Raceway (Phoenix) and Darlington Raceway among many others. This weekend ISM Raceway will debut its $178 million modernization project that features many new fan amenities around the facility, including the DC Solar Power Pavilion. DC Solar has powered nighttime construction throughout the process at ISM Raceway, for what is sure to be one of the most exciting new venues in motorsports.
· Power Surge: DC Solar’s partnership with CGR began in 2015 in the NXS and has continued to expand to include sponsorships with CGR teams and drivers in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series (NCWTS), NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series (MENCS) and NXS. DC Solar has made trips to victory lane with Kyle Larson in 2016 in the NCWTS at Eldora Speedway and on three occasions in 2018 in the NXS (Las Vegas Motor Speedway, Daytona International Speedway and Bristol Motor Speedway), in addition to the career first win with Ross Chastain in Las Vegas.
· Grassroots Racer: Over the last five seasons Chastain has competed in the NXS (2014-present), including full-time competition in the last three seasons. He has made 137 series starts to-date. After making the NXS Playoffs for the first time, Chastain will look to improve on his best year-end result of 17th, in the series final point standings, he is currently ninth with just two races remaining. The Alva, FL native began competing in late model stock cars at the age of 12 where he scored more than 50 feature wins in his early years of short-track racing, including the 2011 World Series of Asphalt at New Smyrna Speedway in New Smyrna, FL.
QUOTEBOARD:
· Jeff Carpoff, Co-Founder and CEO, DC Solar: “DC Solar is excited to continue its partnership with CGR, and we’re extremely proud to sponsor Ross during the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity season. From the moment I met Ross, I knew there was something special about him, so the decision to support him came easy. Witnessing his raw talent, as well as his humility and gratitude for the opportunity, only confirmed that he would be a great representative for the DC Solar brand.
· Chip Ganassi, Owner, Chip Ganassi Racing: “DC Solar is a great example of partnership. Since coming to our organization, both of our teams have worked together to build a platform that is beneficial to their business. When we first talked about putting Ross in the car this year, this was something that Jeff and Paulette felt strongly about and Ross made the most of the opportunity running well in all three races and bringing home a win and a runner-up finish. We are looking forward to him continuing that success in 2019 and competing for his first NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship.”
· Ross Chastain, Driver No. 42 DC Solar Chevrolet Camaro: “I’m an eighth-generation farmer from Florida who was fortunate enough to get a shot in top-flight equipment. I’m incredibly grateful to everyone, especially my family, who helped me get to this point. I’ve had a great run with Johnny Davis Motorsports and it’s obvious I wouldn’t be in the position I am today without Johnny’s support. I have been racing everything that I can since breaking into NASCAR seven years ago. Until DC Solar and Chip (Ganassi) gave me a shot in Darlington, nobody knew who I was. I want to remain humble. I enjoy being the underdog. Excited or thrilled doesn’t begin to capture how I feel about joining CGR full time. I’m eager to take full advantage of the opportunity in front of me. The obvious goal is to win races, compete for an Xfinity Series Championship and represent DC Solar to the best of my ability.”
CGR PR/Photo Credit Jonathan Ferrey/Getty Images
