Chad Chaffin
Encyclopedia
Chad Chaffin is a NASCAR
driver. He has raced in all three of NASCAR's major series and is currently a free agent. Chaffin was a two-time track champion at the historic Nashville Speedway USA, where he met his friend the late Andy Kirby
.
. Driving the #98 Mach 1 Racing
Ford. He ran 100 laps before experiencing a mechanical failure and finished the race in 39th place. In 2005, he would attempt three races with Front Row Motorsports
and Mach 1 Racing
. Chaffin was able to qualify for the Checker Auto Parts 500
at Phoenix
and finished the race in the 43rd position after overheating issues. He began the 2006 season in the #92 Oak Gloves Chevrolet driving for Front Row Motorsports
, however he switched to the #34 Oak Gloves Chevrolet within the organization after two races. After another eight races, he would yet again move within FRM, this time to the recently acquired #61 team. Chaffin has currently made four of the fourteen races he has attempted, three in the #34 Oak Gloves Chevrolet and two in various cars with #61 team. At the beginning of the 2007 season, Chaffin switched to the #37 R&J Racing
car but was replaced by John Andretti
before qualifying for a race. After Mike Bliss
' resignation as the driver of the #49 BAM Racing
Dodge on June 27, 2007, Chaffin was selected as one of the replacements along with Larry Foyt
. In his first attempt to qualify of the season at Loudon
, Chaffin made the race after Brian Vickers
and the #83 Team Red Bull
Toyota were disqualified after failing post-qualifying inspection. In 2008, he attempted to qualify the #34 Chevrolet for Front Row Motorsports
in the Pennsylvania 500
at Pocono
and the Camping World RV 400 at Dover
, but failed to qualify in either.
race at Rockingham
. He drove three races in the #16 31-W Insulation Chevrolet with a best finish of 29th in his debut. In 1994, he would again turn to the #16 and had a best finish of 20th in seven races. During 1997 he ran one race in the #87 BellSouth Mobility
Chevrolet and posted a finish of 19th at Nashville
. Again in 1998 he would just run one race, this time in a family-owned #84 Logan's Roadhouse Ford, where he would finish 28th. In 1999, Chaffin made nine starts, three with his family-owned team and six with #77 Lear Corporation Ford featuring Tony Hall as the owner. He would have a best finish of 9th at Richmond
. Chaffin made 18 starts in 2000, all except for one in the #77 Lear Corporation Ford. He would post his best finish again at Richmond
with an 11th place. In 2001, he would drive for Team Rensi Motorsports
and Day Enterprise Racing. Making 14 starts, he would have a best finish of 16th at Atlanta
. 2002 is Chaffin's most active year in the Busch Series
to date with 26 starts out of the 34 races. The majority of these starts came in the #16 31-W Insulation Chevrolet owned by Day Enterprise Racing. Although he struggled to finish many of the races because of mechanical failures he was able to achieve a best finish of 12th at Talladega
. Chad was absent from the series for two years before returning for a race in 2005. He finished 36th in his only start during that year. For the 2006 season Chaffin was expected to compete in up to 15 events for Day Enterprise Racing in the #05 31-W Insulation Chevrolet, but ended up only making 2 starts for the team, then returned later in the year to make a single start for Sadler Bros. Racing. He has one career Top 10 finish in over 80 starts.
. He returned in 2001 and again raced with Long Brothers Racing and had a best finish of 4th. In 2002, he started only two races as well and was unable to finish either of them in a family-owned car. For the next two years he drove the #18 Dickies
Dodge for Bobby Hamilton Racing
and had two wins in 2004 (Dover International Speedway
and Indianapolis Raceway Park). He finished a career best 10th in the final points standings in 2003 and 2004. In 2005, he drove for three different teams and competed in 21 of the 25 races. Chaffin began the season in the #30 Germain Racing Toyota and had a best finish of forth before bring replaced by Todd Bodine
. Despite being replaced, Wyler Racing selected Chaffin as their driver and he ran 10 races with them placing 9th as his best finish. Jack Sprague
then replaced Chaffin and he was left without a ride. He ran one final race in 2005 with #13 ThorSport Racing Chevrolet and finished 13th at Phoenix
. For 2006, he was scheduled to drive the #40 Chevrolet for Key Motorsports
in the opening races of the season, but has since left to focus on his Nextel Cup team. Ryan Moore, a Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
development driver, has replaced him as of Charlotte. Chaffin also made one start this season in the #02 Team Copaxone Chevrolet for Sutton Motorsports. It was announced on July 3 that Chaffin would drive the #59 Harris Trucking Ford for HT Motorsports
after Steve Park
's departure. In 2007 and 2008, Chaffin ran part-time in the #40 Chevrolet
for Key Motorsports
. In 22 combined starts, he earned two top 10 finishes.
. He would exit the race after a transmission failure on lap 10, leaving him in the 40th position.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver. He has raced in all three of NASCAR's major series and is currently a free agent. Chaffin was a two-time track champion at the historic Nashville Speedway USA, where he met his friend the late Andy Kirby
Andy Kirby
Andy Kirby , is a former stockcar driver, most notably in NASCAR. Kirby did not initially begin with NASCAR, where his career would end. Instead, Kirby quickly earned his reputation as a motorcycle racer in the Southeastern United States...
.
Sprint Cup
Chad made his Sprint Cup debut in 2004 at MartinsvilleMartinsville Speedway
Martinsville Speedway is an International Speedway Corporation-owned NASCAR stock car racing track located in Henry County, near Ridgeway, Virginia, just to the south of Martinsville. At in length, it is the shortest track in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. The track was also one of the first paved...
. Driving the #98 Mach 1 Racing
Mach 1 Racing
Mach 1 Racing is a former NASCAR Winston Cup Series team. It was owned by Hollywood stuntman Hal Needham and actor Burt Reynolds. A team owned by Chris Edwards ran under this name from 2004 until 2006....
Ford. He ran 100 laps before experiencing a mechanical failure and finished the race in 39th place. In 2005, he would attempt three races with Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports is a team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The team began running part-time in 2004 as Means-Jenkins Motorsports under a partnership with Jimmy Means and restaurant entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, with Jenkins becoming the full team owner in 2005...
and Mach 1 Racing
Mach 1 Racing
Mach 1 Racing is a former NASCAR Winston Cup Series team. It was owned by Hollywood stuntman Hal Needham and actor Burt Reynolds. A team owned by Chris Edwards ran under this name from 2004 until 2006....
. Chaffin was able to qualify for the Checker Auto Parts 500
Checker Auto Parts 500
The Kobalt Tools 500 is a NASCAR Sprint Cup stock car race held at Phoenix International Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. The race is sponsored by Lowe's through its Kobalt Tools brand.-Past winners:*1998: Race shortened due to rain....
at Phoenix
Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway, also known as PIR, is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. The track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. PIR has also hosted the Indycar Series, CART, USAC and the Rolex Sports Car Series...
and finished the race in the 43rd position after overheating issues. He began the 2006 season in the #92 Oak Gloves Chevrolet driving for Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports is a team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The team began running part-time in 2004 as Means-Jenkins Motorsports under a partnership with Jimmy Means and restaurant entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, with Jenkins becoming the full team owner in 2005...
, however he switched to the #34 Oak Gloves Chevrolet within the organization after two races. After another eight races, he would yet again move within FRM, this time to the recently acquired #61 team. Chaffin has currently made four of the fourteen races he has attempted, three in the #34 Oak Gloves Chevrolet and two in various cars with #61 team. At the beginning of the 2007 season, Chaffin switched to the #37 R&J Racing
R&J Racing
John Carter Racing was a NASCAR Sprint Cup team. The team currently fields the 08 U.S. Chrome/SoBe Ford Fusion/Toyota Camry for Terry Labonte. It is owned by John Carter...
car but was replaced by John Andretti
John Andretti
John Andretti is an American race car driver. He has won in CART, IMSA GTP, Rolex Sports Car Series and NASCAR. He was the last NASCAR driver to win a Cup race for the famous Petty Enterprises team.-Andretti family:...
before qualifying for a race. After Mike Bliss
Mike Bliss
Michael Bliss is a NASCAR driver who has run in all three major series. He currently drives the #19 Chevrolet Impala for TriStar Motorsports in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He began racing at age 10...
' resignation as the driver of the #49 BAM Racing
BAM Racing
BAM Racing is a NASCAR racing team based in Charlotte, North Carolina, United States, owned by Beth Ann and Tony Morgenthau. The team began in the ARCA RE/MAX Series in 2000, moving to NASCAR in 2001 to 2008 before sitting out 2009 due to the economy...
Dodge on June 27, 2007, Chaffin was selected as one of the replacements along with Larry Foyt
Larry Foyt
Larry Joseph Roberds Foyt is a semi-retired NASCAR and IndyCar driver. He is the biological grandson and adopted son of A. J. Foyt, and a biological cousin of A. J. Foyt IV. His biological mother is Terry Lynn Foyt, daughter of A. J. Foyt, who divorced his biological father Larry Gene Roberds...
. In his first attempt to qualify of the season at Loudon
New Hampshire International Speedway
New Hampshire Motor Speedway is a oval speedway located in Loudon, New Hampshire which has hosted NASCAR racing annually since the early 1990s, as well as an IndyCar weekend and the oldest motorcycle race in North America, the Loudon Classic...
, Chaffin made the race after Brian Vickers
Brian Vickers
Brian Lee Vickers is a American NASCAR driver. He was the 2003 Busch Series champion, and at age 20, became the youngest champion in any of NASCAR's three top-tier series...
and the #83 Team Red Bull
Team Red Bull
Red Bull Racing Team, also known as Team Red Bull, is a NASCAR team owned by Dietrich Mateschitz. The team is based in Mooresville, North Carolina in the United States and is managed by Jay Frye...
Toyota were disqualified after failing post-qualifying inspection. In 2008, he attempted to qualify the #34 Chevrolet for Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports
Front Row Motorsports is a team that competes in the NASCAR Sprint Cup. The team began running part-time in 2004 as Means-Jenkins Motorsports under a partnership with Jimmy Means and restaurant entrepreneur Bob Jenkins, with Jenkins becoming the full team owner in 2005...
in the Pennsylvania 500
Pennsylvania 500
The Good Sam RV Insurance 500 is the second of two NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stock car races held at the Pocono Raceway in Long Pond, Pennsylvania, the other being the Pocono 500...
at Pocono
Pocono Raceway
Pocono Raceway also known as the Tricky Triangle, is a superspeedway located in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania at Long Pond...
and the Camping World RV 400 at Dover
Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned race track located in Dover, Delaware, owned by, and serving as the corporate headquarters of, Dover Motorsports, Inc. It is co-located with a harness racing track, Dover Downs, and shares the complex with Dover Downs Hotel & Casino...
, but failed to qualify in either.
Busch Series
His NASCAR career began in a 1993 Busch SeriesBusch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
race at Rockingham
North Carolina Speedway
Rockingham Speedway, formerly North Carolina Motor Speedway and later North Carolina Speedway is a racetrack located near Rockingham, North Carolina...
. He drove three races in the #16 31-W Insulation Chevrolet with a best finish of 29th in his debut. In 1994, he would again turn to the #16 and had a best finish of 20th in seven races. During 1997 he ran one race in the #87 BellSouth Mobility
BellSouth Mobility
BellSouth Mobility, LLC headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia, was a BellSouth subsidiary.BellSouth Mobility operated wireless networks using many different wireless communication standards. The most widely used of these technologies is called Digital AMPS, or D-AMPS...
Chevrolet and posted a finish of 19th at Nashville
Nashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway is a motor racing complex located in Gladeville, Tennessee , United States, about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. On August 2, 2011, it was announced that Nashville Superspeedway will not host any NASCAR events in 2012. It is a concrete oval track 1 1/3 miles in...
. Again in 1998 he would just run one race, this time in a family-owned #84 Logan's Roadhouse Ford, where he would finish 28th. In 1999, Chaffin made nine starts, three with his family-owned team and six with #77 Lear Corporation Ford featuring Tony Hall as the owner. He would have a best finish of 9th at Richmond
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
. Chaffin made 18 starts in 2000, all except for one in the #77 Lear Corporation Ford. He would post his best finish again at Richmond
Richmond International Raceway
Richmond International Raceway is a 3/4-mile , D-shaped, asphalt race track located just outside Richmond, Virginia in Henrico County. It hosts the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series and Nationwide Series...
with an 11th place. In 2001, he would drive for Team Rensi Motorsports
Team Rensi Motorsports
Team Rensi Motorsports is a NASCAR Nationwide Series team owned by Ed Rensi, Gary Weisbaum, and formerly Sam Rensi. The team has also competed in the Winston Cup Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA racing series...
and Day Enterprise Racing. Making 14 starts, he would have a best finish of 16th at Atlanta
Atlanta Motor Speedway
Atlanta Motor Speedway is a track just outside Hampton, Georgia, twenty miles south of Atlanta. It is a quad-oval track with a seating capacity of over 125,000. It opened in 1960 as a standard oval. In 1994, 46 condominiums were built over the northeastern side of the track...
. 2002 is Chaffin's most active year in the Busch Series
Busch Series
The NASCAR Nationwide Series is a stock car racing series owned and operated by the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing. It is promoted as NASCAR's "minor league" circuit, and is a proving ground for drivers who wish to step up to the organization's "big leagues"; the Sprint Cup circuit...
to date with 26 starts out of the 34 races. The majority of these starts came in the #16 31-W Insulation Chevrolet owned by Day Enterprise Racing. Although he struggled to finish many of the races because of mechanical failures he was able to achieve a best finish of 12th at Talladega
Talladega Superspeedway
Talladega Superspeedway is a motorsports complex located north of Talladega, Alabama, United States. It is located on the former Anniston Air Force Base just outside the small city of Lincoln. It was constructed by International Speedway Corporation, a business controlled by the France Family, in...
. Chad was absent from the series for two years before returning for a race in 2005. He finished 36th in his only start during that year. For the 2006 season Chaffin was expected to compete in up to 15 events for Day Enterprise Racing in the #05 31-W Insulation Chevrolet, but ended up only making 2 starts for the team, then returned later in the year to make a single start for Sadler Bros. Racing. He has one career Top 10 finish in over 80 starts.
Craftsman Truck Series
Chad first raced in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2000 with three different teams. He raced the #84 Romeo Guest Associates Ford owned by Long Brothers Racing to his best finish of the season a 3rd at NashvilleNashville Superspeedway
Nashville Superspeedway is a motor racing complex located in Gladeville, Tennessee , United States, about 30 miles southeast of Nashville. On August 2, 2011, it was announced that Nashville Superspeedway will not host any NASCAR events in 2012. It is a concrete oval track 1 1/3 miles in...
. He returned in 2001 and again raced with Long Brothers Racing and had a best finish of 4th. In 2002, he started only two races as well and was unable to finish either of them in a family-owned car. For the next two years he drove the #18 Dickies
Dickies
Williamson-Dickie Manufacturing Company, more commonly referred to as the brand Dickies, is an American company headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas that manufactures and sells work-related clothing and other accessories, including back packs, steel-toe boots, and belts. Its major competitors are...
Dodge for Bobby Hamilton Racing
Bobby Hamilton Racing
Bobby Hamilton Racing-Virginia was a former NASCAR racing team. It was owned by four-time NEXTEL Cup winner and 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion Bobby Hamilton until his death on January 7, 2007. Bobby Hamilton, Jr. was given ownership after the death of his father, but the younger...
and had two wins in 2004 (Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway
Dover International Speedway is a NASCAR-sanctioned race track located in Dover, Delaware, owned by, and serving as the corporate headquarters of, Dover Motorsports, Inc. It is co-located with a harness racing track, Dover Downs, and shares the complex with Dover Downs Hotel & Casino...
and Indianapolis Raceway Park). He finished a career best 10th in the final points standings in 2003 and 2004. In 2005, he drove for three different teams and competed in 21 of the 25 races. Chaffin began the season in the #30 Germain Racing Toyota and had a best finish of forth before bring replaced by Todd Bodine
Todd Bodine
Todd Bodine is a NASCAR driver. Todd is the younger brother of former racers Geoff Bodine and Brett Bodine. Bodine is known for his bald head, which has given him the nickname The Onion...
. Despite being replaced, Wyler Racing selected Chaffin as their driver and he ran 10 races with them placing 9th as his best finish. Jack Sprague
Jack Sprague
Jack Sprague is a NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver. He is currently a free agent. Sprague has finished in the top-ten in the points standings almost every year he has raced in the trucks, and won three championships in 1997, 1999, and 2001 while driving for Hendrick Motorsports.-...
then replaced Chaffin and he was left without a ride. He ran one final race in 2005 with #13 ThorSport Racing Chevrolet and finished 13th at Phoenix
Phoenix International Raceway
Phoenix International Raceway, also known as PIR, is a one-mile, low-banked tri-oval race track located in Avondale, Arizona. The track opened in 1964 and currently hosts two NASCAR race weekends annually. PIR has also hosted the Indycar Series, CART, USAC and the Rolex Sports Car Series...
. For 2006, he was scheduled to drive the #40 Chevrolet for Key Motorsports
Key Motorsports
Key Motorsports is a NASCAR team owned by Curtis Key. The team currently fields the #40 Chevrolet Impala driven by Charles Lewandoski, the #42 Chevrolet Impala drien by Tim Andrews, the #46 Chevrolet Impala driven by Chase Miller, and the #47 Chevrolet Impala driven by Danny Efland / Scott Wimmer...
in the opening races of the season, but has since left to focus on his Nextel Cup team. Ryan Moore, a Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
Dale Earnhardt, Inc. was a NASCAR-related organization located in Mooresville, North Carolina, United States working to continue the legacy of Dale Earnhardt. It was originally formed in 1980 by seven-time Winston Cup champion Dale Earnhardt who died in a crash on the closing lap of the 2001...
development driver, has replaced him as of Charlotte. Chaffin also made one start this season in the #02 Team Copaxone Chevrolet for Sutton Motorsports. It was announced on July 3 that Chaffin would drive the #59 Harris Trucking Ford for HT Motorsports
HT Motorsports
HT Motorsports was an American truck racing team from Martinsville, Virginia owned by trucking company owner Jim Harris. It fielded entries for the nine years in the Camping World Truck Series before suspending operations early in 2010.-Truck #24 History:...
after Steve Park
Steve Park (NASCAR)
Stephen Park is a professional race car driver. Park is currently racing in the #35 Waste Management Recycle America Monte Carlo in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East....
's departure. In 2007 and 2008, Chaffin ran part-time in the #40 Chevrolet
Chevrolet
Chevrolet , also known as Chevy , is a brand of vehicle produced by General Motors Company . Founded by Louis Chevrolet and ousted GM founder William C. Durant on November 3, 1911, General Motors acquired Chevrolet in 1918...
for Key Motorsports
Key Motorsports
Key Motorsports is a NASCAR team owned by Curtis Key. The team currently fields the #40 Chevrolet Impala driven by Charles Lewandoski, the #42 Chevrolet Impala drien by Tim Andrews, the #46 Chevrolet Impala driven by Chase Miller, and the #47 Chevrolet Impala driven by Danny Efland / Scott Wimmer...
. In 22 combined starts, he earned two top 10 finishes.
ARCA career
Chaffin's only attempt in ARCA came in 2000 with his own Chaffin Motorsports. The #92 Upstate Helicopters Ford, which was a '97 Thunderbird, qualified third for Pro2Call 200 at DaytonaDaytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a race track in Daytona Beach, Florida, United States. Since opening in 1959, it has been the home of the Daytona 500, one of the most prestigious races in NASCAR. In addition to NASCAR, the track also hosts races of ARCA, AMA Superbike, Grand-Am and Motocross...
. He would exit the race after a transmission failure on lap 10, leaving him in the 40th position.