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While most fans and drivers from
this area grew up watching local dirt racers and
occasionally seeing a NASCAR event, Chad Paxton came
from an entirely different scene. Chad followed his dad
Charles as he competed in the ARCA division until his
retirement in the early 80's.. His memories are filled
with drivers such as Red Farmer, Jack Bowsher, Iggy
Katona, and the likes. He traveled with his dad when
able and says he still has fond memories of visiting
tracks such as the now defunct Texas World Speedway, and
Michigan International speedway. So it was only natural
that when Chad began his racing career, he would don the
number 72 of his dad and go asphalt racing in the
Louisville Ky area he called home.
Chad started out in 1989 Louisville Speedway and
Charlestown Speedway driving in their street stock
classes. But after a couple of years, Chad was ready to
move up. He stepped into the Late Model division and
began competing at such historic tracks as Salem in Indiana. His racing career though was about to get
a serious sidetracking. Chad was given the
opportunity to move down south to join a race team in
the Sprint Cup division as a crew member. So he packed
up and headed south, and left his days of driving
behind. Or so he thought.
Chad began
attending local dirt tracks after settling into the
Charlotte area in '94, and before long he was getting
the urge to compete again. His first taste of our red
clay came at the Metrolina Fairgrounds late in 97. From
there he began competing at tracks all over the south
east. In the past 10 years, he has traveled to Gaffney,
Friendship, Thunder Valley, Wytheville, I-20, Chester,
East Lincoln, Lowes, and Lancaster. In those years
he has amassed over 80 wins, and three track
championships. (2001 Friendship, and 2006, 2007
Lancaster Speedway).
Part of the
reason for his success in the last few years all boils
down to a chance meeting late in 2005 at Lancaster
Speedway with Doug and Cindy. They were in the market
for a driver and Chad happened to be available at the
time. Chad drove a couple of races for their Sandwood
Company out of Camden. In only their second start
together, they picked up a win. The chemistry was there,
and so they decided to join forces. Of course that meant
Chad had to retire his 72 in favor of the teams 16, but
two championships later, I think even he would have to
agree it was worth it
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