June 4, 2017, marked a milestone moment for two drivers who took their first steps into NASCAR’s top level on the same day. During the AAA 400 Drive for Autism at Dover Motor Speedway, Ross Chastain and Ryan Sieg both made their NASCAR Cup Series debuts — kicking off very different journeys in the sport.
Driving for Premium Motorsports, Chastain brought home a solid 20th-place finish in the No. 15 Chevrolet. The Florida native, already known for his scrappy style in the Xfinity and Truck Series, ran a steady race at the “Monster Mile” to quietly announce his arrival in NASCAR’s premier division.
Meanwhile, Ryan Sieg wheeled the No. 83 Toyota for BK Racing, finishing 26th in his first Cup start. Sieg, who had built his reputation as a reliable competitor and team owner in the Xfinity Series, gained valuable seat time on one of NASCAR’s most challenging one-mile ovals.
While their Cup debuts came on the same day, their careers have followed unique paths.
Chastain battled through years of underfunded rides before breaking out with Trackhouse Racing in 2022, earning his first Cup win and cementing himself as a weekly contender. Sieg, though focused primarily on his family-owned Xfinity Series team, has become a respected veteran and playoff contender at that level.
