Ross Chastain celebrates his first NASCAR Cup Series win with a watermelon smash following the 2022 EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas. Photo Credit: NASCAR at COTA/Harold Hinson Photography

AUSTIN, Texas – There’s no doubt Ross Chastain was a smashing success on the NASCAR Cup Series circuit in 2022.

After winning his first career victory in his No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet at the Circuit of the Americas in 2022, most fans will remember his famous Watermelon Smash in Victory Lane after winning the race.

On Friday at COTA, Chastain will return to the site and will take his victory Watermelon Smash to another level.

Rather than smashing a melon from atop his car like he does after his victories, he will go to new heights with his tradition by dropping watermelons from atop the landmark 251-foot-high Circuit of The Americas (COTA) tower.

Weather permitting, the event will be held on Friday at noon at the COTA Tower.

Last year at COTA, Chastain led a race-high 31 of the 69 laps en route to a 1.331-second margin of victory over runner-up Alex Bowman of Hendrick Motorsports. His second win of the season came at Talladega Superspeedway. He led a career-high 692 laps on the season.

Chastain is a eighth-generation watermelon farmer whose father and brother currently manage the farm – JDI Farms in Punta Gorda, Fla. Chastain has remained a watermelon farmer on the family’s farm until he turned 13 and launched his racing career. His trademark victory celebration of smashing watermelons began following victories in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) and Xfinity Series (NXS). His first NCS “smash” came in last season’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix.

Chastain enters this weekend’s race at COTA ranked third in the NCS standings. He’s five points behind leader Joey Logano  and his best finish was third at Fontana, where he led 91 laps and finished ninth in the season-opening Daytona 500.  He has finished 13th or better in four of his five starts and  co-shares the series lead with William Byron for stage wins (3).

The Circuit of the Americas will play host Friday – Sunday to a NASCAR tripleheader for the third consecutive year. Sunday’s EchoPark Automotive Grand Prix culminates a three-day event that features the NCS, NXS and NCTS. The weekend kicks off with FEVO Friday that includes practice for the NCS and practice and qualifying for the NXS and NCTS. Saturday is action-packed with NCS qualifying, the Pit Boss 250 presented by USA TODAY NCS race and XPEL 225 NCTS race. Click HERE for the full weekend schedule.