Chris Chandler may not capture the headlines, but he remains a familiar face on the American All-Star Series Presented by PPM Racing Products circuit. Of the tour’s 18 races held among six states, he has made 14 of them. Sure, his best finish is an eighth, but put things into perspective. Chandler does most of it on his own against teams far better resourced.
“I do everything in the shop alone,” said Chandler, 44, of Weaverville, North Carolina. “My brother, [Vic Chandler,] and my cousin, Brian [Moore], my crew chief, help me on the weekends at the track. During the week, I’m a one-man show. Sometimes, I’m not prepared as I should be.”
Chandler’s life revolves around racing. When he’s not working on his own car, he works on others ’ rides at TNT Race Cars in Piney Flats, Tennessee.
“I’ve been working [at TNT Race Cars] for six years,” Chandler said. “Before that, I was working in manufacturing as an engineer. I was in between jobs, and Tony [Ford, owner of TNT Race Cars,] asked me if I could help him get caught up. I did, and I’ve been there ever since.”
As someone who builds cars for a living, Chandler applies the knowledge and skills honed at work toward his car, a 2020 chassis from TNT Race Cars.
“We’re one of the smallest teams [in the American All-Star Series],” said Chandler. “We don’t spend a lot of money. I built most of my car. That’s how I can have quality stuff, without having the money most teams spend.”
Chandler, who started racing in 2000, said he aspires to reach victory lane — and he wants to do so on a bigger stage.
“We could go to weekly shows and win races,” Chandler said. “But, if you go tour racing, against the better guys, when you beat them, you’ve accomplished more.”
The American All-Star Series Presented by PPM Racing Products visits Volunteer Speedway in Bulls Gap, Tennessee, on Saturday, August 28, 2021. And, like so many other of the series’ races, you can count on Chris Chandler attending.
Outside Groove Note of Transparency: Outside Groove is a sponsor of the American All-Star Series. The American All-Star Series paid for the production of this article. The content was not subject to the approval of the American All-Star Series.
The Outside Groove Executive Editor has covered motorsports since 2000. His many awards include the 2019 Eastern Motorsport Press Association (EMPA) Jim Hunter Writer of the Year and the 2013 Russ Catlin Award for Excellence in Motorsports Journalism.
