On the right track - Monday, March 05, 2012 - Copyright 2007 Ourtribune.com

On the right track

Monday, March 05, 2012

Debra Burgower

While it is not unusual to hear of young boys dreaming of being football, baseball, or basketball stars, it�s not so often that one meets a young boy who has aspirations to be a NASCAR driver. Chase Schubert, 13, is one who does have those aspirations. In fact, Chase has been on a fearless journey since about the age of 3 (yes, he even drove his motorized car faster than any other kid in the neighborhood) looking for the next race.

Donnie and Sandi Schubert, Chase�s parents, are extremely supportive of Chase�s ongoing passion for racing cars. The Schuberts live in Eagle Springs and also have a daughter, Lauryn, who is equally supportive and proud of her brother. Donnie is Chase�s �crew chief� and he and Sandi are very excited about their son�s accomplishments. When asked how she handles her son being involved with such fast and powerful machines, she stated, �There�s risks with any competitive sport. I used to be in gymnastics which has its own set of risks, just like football or soccer, but I know that Chase is not balls to the walls and I know that he has a respect for the car and takes all the necessary precautions to be safe. I try to focus on the positives; he�s doing something he loves, it keeps him out of trouble, and we enjoy watching.�

Motocross was another story. Before auto racing, from 2006 thru 2008, Chase was racing Motocross in the Gulf Coast Region and won the championship in 50 cc Beginner Class and fourth place in 50 cc Open Class. While it was obvious that he would continue to excel in Motocross, Mom, Dad and Chase all agreed there were too many accidents and Lifeflight visits to each race, so it was decided, unanimously, that it was time to try something else. He toyed with racing bicycles for about a year. Undoubtedly, that did not involve enough speed and so it was on to auto racing.

At the age of 8, Chase started competing in the INEX Racing Series in what is called the Bandoleros (The Bandolero car is a turnkey, spec-series racer designed for drivers as young as 8 years old and the young-at-heart at any age.). In his first year in the INEX Series, he finished fifth overall and received �Rookie of the Year� in 2009. Last year Chase was ranked sixth in the State of Texas and 43rd in the nation. He describes his racing style as �Pedal to the Metal� and jokes that he does what his crew chief (Dad) says �just bring the steering wheel back.�

On Feb.12, 2011 NASCAR announced that it had lowered the minimum age for drivers competing in its regional touring series to 15; which means that Chase�s dream of racing NASCAR could be as little as two years away. He has already applied for the NASCAR license he will need when he drives at Houston Motorsports Park, and a NASCAR-sanctioned track.

In a corresponding move, the Learner�s Permit License for the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series will be applicable for all divisions at NASCAR-sanctioned tracks.

The Whelen All-American Series is NASCAR�s national championship program for its more than 55 sanctioned, short tracks across North America. More than 10,000 drivers compete in the series annually.

Last year, NASCAR introduced the Learner�s Permit to the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series, which allowed drivers and crew members ages 14 and 15 to participate in tracks� entry-level divisions.

In 2007, NASCAR lowered the age minimum for the regional touring series from 18 to 16.

Chase may be someone to keep an eye on in the years to come.

Photos: (top) Chase Schubert poses with car number 31. (Bottom) Schubert with his dad and crew chief, Donnie Schubert.