NASCAR’s Worst-Kept Secret Involving Ross Chastain Apparently Leaks Ahead of Due Date, in Big Blow to Tony Stewart

The world of pop-culture fanatics might be hyping up with Harry Styles’s “Waterman Sugar.” But for NASCAR enthusiasts, it is the Watermelon Man, Ross Chastain, who is stealing the limelight after the long-awaited win at Nashville Superspeedway. Being the polesitter, the Trackhouse Racing Team driver did have leverage in the race. But a chaotic restart at the second stage and a quick lead by Denny Hamlin seemed to paint a different picture.

But Ross Chastain did not give up, and after a fierce battle with the Joe Gibbs Racing drivers, he touched down the start-finish line ahead of everyone else. Being the victor of the music city, Chastain was rewarded the custom guitar, but that is not the only reward that awaits him. He might be in line for a lucrative sponsorship deal.

Ross Chastain is the probable choice of replacement by Kevin Harvick’s primary sponsor

Anheuser Busch can be called NASCAR’s official beer. The company has been an indispensable part of Kevin Harvick’s on-track persona. The beverage brand has been the primary sponsor of the #4 Ford driver since 2014, when Harvick joined Tony Stewart’s team. The light blue livery has always caught the attention of the audience and even features on the driver’s suit.

However, with the Cup Series champion retiring from the world of professional racing, there have been conjectures about whether the brand would maintain its allegiance to Stewart-Haas Racing or end up sponsoring a new team and its driver. Furthermore, Sports Business Journal reported that Ross Chastain held the highest potency to land up with the sponsorship deal, after Harvick’s retirement. The organization had also initiated a dialogue with the driver. 

Apparently, this dialogue has finally taken a formal shape, as Adam Stern revealed on Twitter.

These speculations were earlier sparked by an insider of the company. He had divulged, “Busch Light has and always will be passionate about NASCAR. We continue to be invested in the sport as an official sponsor and will always find ways to show up at races and provide new opportunities for our fans in 2023 and beyond. When it comes to sponsoring new drivers, nothing is off the table.” 

Watch this Story: Why did Kyle Larson Get Fired From NASCAR? Who Saved His Career? 

Fans comment on the hushed-up nature of the open secret of the sponsorship deals

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If the disclosed news, as put by the veteran journalist, turns out to be true, it will come as a huge financial blow to Stewart-Haas Racing. While it had been hoped that A-B would maintain their sponsorship with the team, even with Harvick’s departure, and support their new recruit, Josh Berry. But it seems that the team might have to look out for new sponsorships for Berry.

While any formal confirmation of the news from the Trackhouse Racing team and the brand is still awaited. But the team was seen enjoying Chastain’s victory with Busch beer cans in their hand, on the pit road on Sunday.

While the news was clear under the daylight, however, the sides chose to maintain their secrecy. Even fans commented about it on Twitter.

Many wrote, “It was the worst kept secret that he was the leading candidate obviously, but we didn’t have confirmation. Adam kinda did that himself here.”

“A bit of an Adam bomb here. It’s been reported Trackhouse was the favorite to land Busch but Adam calls them his soon to be sponsor implying it’s a done deal.”

“Bro out dropping sponsor leaks right after Ross wins.”

Others also commented, “They were all drinking @BuschBeer in Victory Lane!  I’m a Stewart-Haas fan and wanted them to stay there…however, as long as they maintain a major presence in the sport, I’m happy about it.”

“Alright, Adam…does this mean there’s going to be a Busch Light Watermelon next year?  Think of the marketing they could do with that! #MelonManCan, for instance.”

Ross Chastain, who is under the sponsorship of five consolidated partners, will add a new feather after Anheuser Busch sponsors him. With a plethora of brands supporting, the driver will surely step up his game and maintain his winning streak and prove otherwise to his critics.

Read More: Despite Five Years of Loyalty, Tony Stewart Could Deliver Heartbreak to His Driver With Josh Berry Joining the Team