Dean Etheridge
In 133 races across a 6-year career in the NASCAR Cup Series, Ross Chastain has recorded just two race wins. Despite this modest – shall we call it – record, Chastain is now the third favorite in the betting to win the 2022 Cup Series Driver’s Championship.
So, can he do it? Well, why not; Ross Chastain and his Trackhouse Racing team are in a great position to break up the status quo and put a new owner and driver’s name on the record.
The 2022 season has proven to be an open and competitive year. We’ve seen 13 different winners on the circuit this season, with Tyler Reddick becoming the latest at Road America last weekend.
The dominant team from the last two seasons, Hendrick Motorsports, hasn’t had things all their way, and their defending champion Kyle Larson has struggled at times this season. So much so, that his teammate Chase Elliott is now the favorite to win this year’s title.
Before we get too carried away with the prospects of Chastain and Trackhouse, it’s worth bearing in mind that Elliott won the title in 2020, and Larson won it in 2021. So, Hendrick Motorsports do know what they’re doing!
| 2022 NASCAR Cup Series Winner |  |  |
| Chase Elliott | +500 | +500 |
| Kyle Larson | +550 | +550 |
| Ross Chastain | +600 | +600 |
| Denny Hamlin | +750 | +700 |
| William Byron | +750 | +800 |
| Kyle Busch | +850 | +800 |
| Joey Logan | +850 | +800 |
| Ryan Blaney | +900 | +950 |
| Martin Truex Jr | +1200 | +1000 |
| Daniel Suarez | +4000 | +2500 |
Look at the betting from the best online sportsbooks above though. At the start of the season, not many would have expected to see the Trackhouse team have a driver in the running to win the Cup Series. Never in their wildest dreams, would they have expected to have the third favorite driver, and in very close NASCAR betting picks as well.
Chastain is right behind Elliott and Larson in the market. This isn’t Phil Mickelson behind Tiger Woods in the 2000s when second place behind the great man felt like hundreds of country miles away, this is close!
Why Ross Chastain is a Serious Contender
Finally, Ross Chastain has a competitive car, and in his competitive car the 29-year-old Floridian has shown the world what a good driver he is.
Another top 5. So thankful for @AdventHealth & @TeamTrackhouse. I love driving fast @TeamChevy Camaros! Onto @amsupdates! #HappyIndependenceDay pic.twitter.com/giH9FRw39F
— Ross Chastain (@RossChastain) July 4, 2022
Chastain has won twice this season – his only two Cup Series wins to date. He has had nine top 5 finishes, more than any other driver this year, and has finished inside the top 10 on twelve occasions. Chastain currently sits third in the driver’s points table, 35 behind leader Chase Elliott, and just 2 points behind second-placed Ryan Blaney.
What started as supposedly a few flash-in-the-pan performances has since grown into a real challenge for the driver’s championship. Chastain is now a genuine contender.
Trackhouse Keep On Producing The Goods
After a handful of races, most seasoned observers thought the Trackhouse challenge would fall away. But it hasn’t. Not only has Chastain kept the pressue on the leaders, but he’s been backed up by teammate Daniel Suarez. The Mexican driver won the Toyota/Save Mart 500 and has four top 5 and six top 10 finishes this season. This shows the Trackhouse team is strong and performing.
What Can Stop Chastain and Trackhouse?
Well, as we’ve alluded to, the two guys in the betting ahead of Chastain won this title for the last two years. Current driver’s points leader and betting favorite, Chase Elliott, won the title in 2020. While his teammate, Kyle Larson won the title last year.
Both guys drive for Hendrick Motorsports, and Hendrick drivers have won the championship 14 times since 1995. The Hendrick team not only has the know-how, but they also have recent history on their side.
They’re not going to give you anything, and if Ross Chastain and Trackhouse want to wrestle the title away from Hendrick, they’re going to have to work damn hard for it.
What Races Remain This Season for Chastain?
Including this Sunday’s Quaker State 400, there are another eight races remaining in the regular 2022 NASCAR season. After that comes the playoffs, and this is where the real work will start.
The postseason is factored in at Hendrick Motorsports before the regular season event starts. They know they will make it there, and with Kyle Larson and Chase Elliott, despite their younger years, they have the experience to do what it takes in the playoffs.
How Chastain deals with the playoffs will be crucial to him breaking up the Hendrick cartel and landing that first title.
The best NASCAR betting sites haven’t got Chastain that close to Larson and Elliott in the betting for no reason though. The oddsmakers can see what’s in front of them, and they have Chastain in the running for a reason. Because he is capable!
Whether that is be enough is another matter. I believe Ross Chastain can win, but that doesn’t mean he will win. And my head is telling me that it will be a second championship for Chase Elliott this season.
I think that the experience gained from 2020 will be enough to guide the favorite home.
