NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain is joining Suburban Propane Partners as a brand ambassador, the Whippany, N.J.-based energy distributor confirmed, deepening a NASCAR sponsorship that now spans 21 racetracks and extends into the agricultural operations that feed the broader food and beverage supply chain.
Chastain, known to fans as "The Watermelon Man," is an eighth-generation watermelon farmer from Alva, Florida, and a partner in his family's multi-state farming business, Melon 1. He drives the No. 1 Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet in the Cup Series. Under the new agreement, Chastain will participate in promotional campaigns, fan engagement initiatives, agricultural events, and community programs aimed at raising awareness of propane's role in farm operations.
Agricultural Energy Context
For operators and foodservice buyers, the partnership underscores an often-overlooked link between energy infrastructure and the farm-to-table supply chain. Propane powers a wide range of on-farm applications — from grain dryers and irrigation pumps to heating systems for livestock facilities — making reliable fuel supply a direct factor in crop yield and commodity pricing. Suburban Propane has served agricultural customers for nearly 100 years, and the Chastain collaboration is designed to elevate that message with a high-visibility sports platform.
"Partnering with Ross is a natural extension of that relationship, reflecting our shared commitment to hard work, integrity, and the agricultural communities that are vital to America's economy," said Nandini Sankara, Vice President of Marketing & Brand Strategy and Spokesperson for Suburban Propane.
NASCAR Platform Grows
The Chastain deal is the latest expansion of Suburban Propane's Official Propane of NASCAR designation. Earlier in 2026, the company extended that partnership to 21 racetracks nationwide, where propane fuels track dryers that manage weather delays, powers concession equipment serving thousands of fans per event, and supplies campground infrastructure across race weekends. The company has also piloted renewable propane-powered EV charging demonstrations at select venues, signaling investment in lower-carbon alternatives alongside its conventional fuel business.
For foodservice and hospitality professionals tracking energy costs and supply-chain resilience, Suburban Propane's expanding footprint is worth monitoring. Propane remains a primary fuel source for commercial kitchens, food processing facilities, and the agricultural operations supplying restaurants — meaning the distributor's scale across 42 states and approximately 750 locations touches the industry at multiple points. Coverage of energy and sustainability trends in foodservice and beverage industry supply chain developments continues to reflect growing operator interest in fuel sourcing and cost management.
Chastain's dual identity as a competitive driver and working farmer gives Suburban Propane an authentic spokesperson at a time when agri-food storytelling carries weight with both consumers and trade audiences. "Farming has always been at the center of who I am," Chastain said. "I'm proud to partner with Suburban Propane because of our shared commitment to supporting agriculture and the communities that help keep America moving."
Written by Michael Politz, Author of Guide to Restaurant Success: The Proven Process for Starting Any Restaurant Business From Scratch to Success (ISBN: 978-1-119-66896-1), Founder of Food & Beverage Magazine, the leading online magazine and resource in the industry. Designer of the Bluetooth logo and recognized in Entrepreneur Magazine's "Top 40 Under 40" for founding American Wholesale Floral, Politz is also the Co-founder of the Proof Awards and the CPG Awards and a partner in numerous consumer brands across the food and beverage sector.
