The Melon Man is returning to the Craftsman Truck Series this season as he expands his racing workload.
Ross Chastain has signed with Niece Motorsports to drive the number 45 truck.
Driving the number one car full time for Trackhouse Racing in the Cup Series, Chastain plans to take advantage of the expanded rules this season that extends the five race maximum to as many as eight races in other NASCAR racing series.
Via a team release the Melon Man said, “it’s great to be back with Niece Motorsports in a larger capacity this year. When I heard about the rule change, I knew we had to run more races together. We’ve got a great core group of people here in Salisbury (N.C.), and I want to bring them all back to Victory Lane. I’m thankful to have the opportunity and appreciate the ownership group and our partners for making it happen, along with everyone at Trackhouse for allowing me to run in the Truck Series.”
Phil Gould has been named as the crew chief for the 45 truck.
When Chastain is not in the 45 truck, 19-year-olld rookie Landen Lewis will be behind the wheel. Lewis is a CARS Tour Late Model Stock champion.
Niece will also have a third driver for the 45 truck which is yet to be named.
Ross Chastain is known as the Melon Man because his family are eight generation watermelon farmers. In the past his truck bed was covered with watermelons.