Driver: Chris Charbonneau
Hometown: Rutland, VT
Date of Birth: 5/04/94
Family: Girlfriend – Lauren
Favorite Food: Lasagna
Hobbies: Basketball and Racing
Started Racing: 2016
Accomplishments: 2017 Devil’s Bowl Speedway Dirt Track Mini Stock Champion
Division: Mini Stock
Car No.: 4C
Car: Ford Mustang
Car Owner: Chris Charbonneau
Crew Chief: T.J. Wisell
Team Members: Tyler Bathalon, Rusty Bishop, Tim Devino
Sponsors: Win’s Trikes & Bikes, Laura’s Hair Frenzy
Chris Charbonneau in victory lane at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on July 9, 2017 (Barry Snelling/Devil’s Bowl Speedway photo)
“I always grew up around racing my whole life, and I always loved it and talked about doing it, so finally my buddy T.J. said one day, “Why don’t you just get a car and race?” So, I bought a car from my cousin and here we are.”
Did you have a favorite driver before you started racing?
“My favorites growing up were always Dave Camara and Gene Munger, but now that they retired it’s turned into Matt Sheppard.”
What is your favorite moment of your racing career?
“I’d say winning the championship this year was definitely the highlight so far.”
What is your most embarrassing moment?
“My first year racing I went into Turn 3 and pressed the brake pedal, but there were no brakes and I totally cleaned out four or five other cars. That was no fun.”
Who is your biggest rival, past or present?
“I don’t really have rivals. I try to be nice and help everyone out. I guess as far as guy I want to beat, I’d say the fast guys like Jason Porter or any of the Bear Ridge guys who come down to Devil’s Bowl.”
If you couldn’t drive your car, who would you want to be your substitute?
“I would have to say my cousin Justin Severance, considering the car came from him and he won a championship with it before I did.”
Chris Charbonneau at Devil’s Bowl Speedway on August 20, 2017 (Justin St. Louis/Devil’s Bowl Speedway photo)
“A lot of people don’t realize it, but my life is pretty much devoted to basketball, and racing is just a way to get away from it every now and then. I’ve coached basketball since I was 16 years old. I coach AAU and travel all around; I go to Massachusetts, and I’ve been to the nationals in Pennsylvania. I also coach at Mount St. Joseph Academy where I’m the JV head coach and a varsity assistant coach.”
Are you looking forward to the new ½-mile dirt track at Devil’s Bowl?
“Yeah, I’m really excited about trying out the new track. I’ve never raced on a big track – the only place I’ve ever raced at is the little dirt track at Devil’s Bowl.”
What are your racing goals for 2018?
“I hope to go back-to-back as the Mini Stock champion, as long as we can stay consistent. Hopefully we can move up in the future as long as we can find some sponsorship.”