Benny Chastain, a veteran and journeyman of the ARCA Menards Series, has passed away at the age of 82.
The native of Tallahassee, Florida, Chastain got his feet wet in the racing world at the age of 55, competing at local dirt tracks in his area in the late 1990s. In 2004, Chastain made his debut in the ARCA Menards Series, finishing 22nd at South Boston Speedway with Drew White Motorsports.
Chastain competed in 50 ARCA Menards Series events in a career that spanned from 2004 to 2022.
In 2006, Chastain attempted to compete in his only full-time ARCA Menards Series campaign, driving for three different organizations throughout the year, finishing 23rd in points, and claiming a season-best 21st three times at Kansas, Berlin, and DuQuoin State Fairgrounds.
Chastain most recently participated in the 2022 Daytona ARCA 200 with Andy Hillenburg’s Fast Track Racing, finishing in 22nd place. At the time of qualifying for the race, he was one of the oldest drivers in the history of the ARCA Menards Series, at 79 years old. He qualified in the 36th and final starting spot for the race at Daytona. Chastain joined the ranks of notable older drivers, such as James Hylton, Wayne Peterson, and 2023 NASCAR Hall of Fame inductee Hershel McGriff, who have also made starts at or around that age.
In 2020, Chastain achieved his best career finish in the ARCA Menards Series during the season opener at Daytona, driving the No. 01 Ford Fusion for Our Motorsports, where he finished in 15th place. Following this, Our Motorsports went on to field the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro for Sunoco Rookie Contender Kris Wright in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Benny Chastain’s obituary is available here to honor and celebrate his life.
The Chastain family has not provided further details about the passing. Benny will be remembered fondly by the ARCA Menards Series community and racing fans nationwide.
