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Zach’s Turn: Ross Chastain Storms Forward Without Playoff Pressure

Ross Chastain before a NASCAR race at Circuit of the Americas, May 2021. Photo: NKP

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

As his tenure with Chip Ganassi Racing nears its checkered flag, Ross Chastain has no pressure.

There are no playoff expectations since his No. 42 team didn’t qualify for the postseason. There is no need to audition for a new ride, since he’s already confirmed to join Trackhouse Racing in 2022 as the driver of the team’s new No. 1 car. All there is to do is go out and try to wind up in victory lane.

Hendrick Motorsports Battered & Beaten at Darlington

Hendrick Motorsports Darlington Southern 500

(Photo: Nigel Kinrade Photography)

The 2021 NASCAR Cup Series regular season was dominated by Hendrick Motorsports, providing plenty of momentum heading into Sunday night’s (Sept. 5) playoff opener at Darlington Raceway.

But whatever momentum they carried into the postseason was largely wiped away over the course of 500 miles at The Lady in Black — at least for three of the organization’s four drivers.