Driver: Austin Chaves
Hometown: Chester, Vt.
Date of Birth: 3/14/02
Family: Dad – Andy; Mom – Samantha; Sister – Zoe; Papa – David
Favorite Food: Cookie Dough Ice Cream
Hobbies: Snowboarding, Hunting, Being Outside
Started Racing: 2011
Accomplishments: Won the 2017 Devil’s Bowl Speedway/Catamount Mini Sprint championship in his rookie season with two feature wins
Division: 500cc Mini Sprint
Car No.: 23
Car: Stallard / Kawasaki
Car Owner: Andy Chaves
Crew Chief: Andy Chaves
Sponsors: David Chaves Excavating (Londonderry, Vt.); Twin State Truck Service (West Chesterfield, N.H.); Landscape Construction; Record Concrete; Sprayguard; Bill Stankevich Building & Remodeling; C&J Stoddard Septic; M&T Main Street Market & Deli; Win’s Trikes & Bikes
Austin Chaves in victory lane at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on August 6, 2017. (Barry Snelling/Devil’s Bowl Speedway photo)
“I went and watched my friend Cody O’Brien race go-karts and I knew I had to get into it. I bought my first kart with my own money and we went racing. Before that, my dad raced dirt bikes and snowmobiles.”
Where do you go to school?
“I go to Green Mountain Union High School in Chester. I’m in 10th grade.”
Did you have a favorite driver before you started racing?
“Not really anyone local, but I liked Dale Earnhardt Jr.”
What is your favorite moment of your racing career?
“Any time I’m drifting in the corners on dirt. It’s so much fun.”
What is your most embarrassing moment?
“I’d say having the gas cap come off between my legs when I was racing karts at Claremont.”
Who is your biggest rival, past or present?
“I guess I don’t really have one yet.”
Austin Chaves (#23) at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on August 6, 2017. (Barry Snelling/Devil’s Bowl Speedway photo)
“I’d have my dad drive.”
Are you looking forward to the new ½-mile dirt track at Devil’s Bowl?
“Oh yeah. I’ve never driven on any tracks that big yet.”
What are your racing goals for 2018?
“I’d like to come in the top five in points again. We just want to get a good finish every week.”