Ross Chastain’s NASCAR Cup Series career had nowhere to go but up entering the 2022 season, and impressively and unexpectedly, he nearly scaled to the top of the mountain. Chastain and the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing team was the season’s breakout star. He was the talk of the garage more often than not — for better or worse. Two victories propelled Chastain into the playoffs for the first time. Determination led him to Phoenix Raceway with a chance at the Cup Series championship and, ultimately, runner-up to Joey Logano in the title fight. Having accomplished so much, the question is…