The NASCAR Cup Series closed out the month of June at Nashville Superspeedway, located just outside of Nashville in Lebanon, Tenn.
For Ross Chastain and Trackhouse Racing, the trip to Music City held extra importance due to the team’s involvement in and around Nashville. The 1.333-mile oval was the site of Chastain’s first win on a unrestricted oval back in 2023.
Chastain and Trackhouse added a new chapter to their Music City story in 2024, as the Cup star competed in the Battle of Broadway 150 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Chastain piloted a Tootsie’s-sponsored Pro Late Model out of the Rackley WAR stable in the event.
The four-time Cup winner had a shot at the win late in the going at the Fairgrounds, but ultimately settled for fourth at night’s end.
However, competing at the Fairgrounds meant more than just another late model race for Chastain. It marked another item checked off his childhood bucket list and a return to his late model roots.
The deal also added to the unique relationship between Chastain, Trackhouse and sponsor Tootsie’s, a well-known bar on Broadway in Downtown Nashville, all while giving some much-needed attention to the historic half-mile short track.
Frontstretch caught up with Chastain on June 27, ahead of the Thursday night late model special at the Fairgrounds. He talked about being a part of grassroots racing, his involvement in the Music City and more.
Chase Folsom, Frontstretch: You’ve been a little bit more involved this year in the grassroots racing world; you ran at Cordele Motorsports Park in SpeedFest earlier this year. What made you want to come run at Nashville Fairgrounds tonight?
Ross Chastain: It’s just been a bucket-list track. I’ve read about it online ever since I started racing when I was 12 years old. I’ve got this opportunity, right, with Trackhouse that affords me a lot of things, and our relationship with Nashville is special.
This is where Justin [Marks, Trackhouse co-owner] came and moved his family and started this idea of Trackhouse, and Tootsie’s was one of the early sponsors. They were on Daniel [Suarez]’s car long before I got to the team, and then they were a big part of my 2022 season.
So for Mr. Steve [Smith, Tootsie’s owner], we’ve been looking for ways to continue that relationship, and my Cup car is sold out, so there’s no room on it. But this…
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