Chastain Set to Tackle #MelonManChallenge

Ross Chastain celebrates his Gander Outdoor Truck Series win in Kansas
(Google Images)

Ross Chastain may be the busiest driver in NASCAR this year, but on Tuesday afternoon, he proved he's also one of the gutsiest.

After scoring his first Gander Outdoors Truck Series win with Niece Motorsports at Kansas Speedway on May 10, and scoring top ten finishes in each of the series' seven other events in 2019, Chastain announced on June 4 that he has decided to change course and run for a truck series championship. This isn't totally unheard of, as the sanctioning body does allow drivers to make this switch mid-season and declare for points in another series.

When you look at Chastain's truck stats so far this year, it seems like a no-brainer to make the switch. Following his Kansas victory, the watermelon farmer-turned race car driver would've been second in the standings and locked into the playoffs. However, none of that matters now.

The major stipulation that comes with declaring for another series in the middle of a campaign is that you must start from square one and build your way back up. So the consistency, the win, the playoff berth — none of those things can count towards Chastain's title fight because they happened before he switched from Xfinity to Truck Series points. As a side note, Chastain sat in thirteenth place in the Xfinity Series standings following the Pocono Green 250; just one spot outside of the playoff cut line.

Chastain celebrates his (and his team's) first truck series win
in a shower of confetti (Google Images)

“After much consideration and many conversations, I’ve decided to pursue championship points in the NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series, effective immediately,” Chastain said in a press release.

“I know this is the best decision for me at this time and am thankful for everyone who has and will continue to support me moving forward into 2019 and beyond.”

While Chastain might not be running for a title in the NASCAR's AAA division anymore, he acknowledged that he would still honor the commitments he made earlier this season to compete in the Xfinity Series.

“I’m thankful to everyone at Johnny Davis Motorsports and Kaulig Racing for their efforts this year,” said Chastain.  “I will continue to run races for each organization where sponsorship for 2019 has been solidified," he added.

Dubbed the #MelonManChallenge on social media by Fox Sports reporter Alan Cavanna, Chastain now has a ton of supporters in his corner as he tries to do the impossible.

Team owner Al Niece said via a press release that, while his team faces an uphill battle, he knows they are up to the task and will give it their all.

“I know it won’t be easy, but I believe this team is capable of making the playoffs and competing for a championship with Ross,” said Niece. “Ross, Phil, Cody and every single employee at this team have worked incredibly hard to continue to advance this program.  We are proud to bring trucks capable of winning to the race track.  It takes a lot of work to get there, and we don’t take it lightly.  We’re ready to see what the next eight races bring.”