Ross Chastain - TSport 200 Race Recap
Event: TSport 200 (200 laps / 137.2 miles)
Round: 16 of 25 (Regular Season)
Track: Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park
Location: Clermont, Indiana
Date & Time: Friday, July 25 | 8:00 PM ET
No. 44 Illiana Watermelon Association Chevrolet Silverado RST
Driver: Ross Chastain | Crew Chief: Wally Rogers
Start: 12th | Stage 1: 17th | Stage 2: 17th
Finish: 9th | Driver Points: N/A | Owner Points: 17th
- Key Takeaway: Ross Chastain and the No. 44 team had to earn their top-10 finish the hard way at IRP. Initially starting from the 12th position, Chastain fell back in the opening stage as the handling went away. After the first pit stop of the night, the left front tire fell off his truck, resulting in a freak airborne moment on pit road. With his battered Silverado trapped a lap down, Chastain would inevitably get back into contention via the free pass in stage two. From that point on, the team marched forward, and would finish the night in 10th-place.
- Ross Chastain's Post-Race Thoughts:
“We weren’t great at the start with our Illiana Watermelon Association Chevy; we wore out our rear tires while still sliding the front. So, we had to work on our truck throughout the night, and then we had that wheel issue on pit road. It was a really good recovery by the team to clearance our fenders. The No. 45 team really helped us and were quick to react by putting a used tire on it to help us get back around to pit road. That all worked out how we wanted to, and from there, we got back to 10th, which was the best we ran all night. I don’t think we ever really ran all that good till the end. We just need to clean up some mistakes, and that’ll be better for us next time.”
About Niece Motorsports: Niece Motorsports is a professional auto racing team founded by United States Marine Corps Veteran Al Niece. In 2025, the team celebrates its 10th consecutive season competing in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) where it fields the Nos. 41, 42, 44 and 45. Since its founding in 2016, Niece Motorsports has garnered nine wins, 50+ top-fives, 100+ top-10s, 200+ top-15 finishes and made five playoff appearances. At its 80,000 sq. ft. headquarters in Salisbury, NC, Niece Motorsports is a trusted build shop for the Chevrolet Silverados of multiple NCTS teams as well as a customizable fabrication shop for any manufacturing needs.
Follow the Team: To keep up to date with the latest team news, visit niecemotorsports.com or connect on Facebook and Instagram (@NieceMotorsports) as well as X (@NieceMotorsport).
About Illiana Watermelon Association: Over 70% of our production is produced in and around Knox County, Indiana. Most of that production is within 15 miles east and west of a 50 mile corridor running along US Hwy 41. It has been said many times that you can stand in one farm’s watermelon field and throw a rock in another neighboring watermelon field. Not that we would throw rocks at each other, or anything so crude. We produce over 7,000 acres of watermelon on our farms. If you’re lucky enough to live close to our market areas you already know you can taste the difference. Many travelers stop at our roadside stands to experience the taste of Indiana and Illinois watermelon.
