Grandfather Passes Love Of Racing To Young Dragster

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By Judy Tacyn

Chase Daley may be new to drag racing, but the love of the sport and all things car-related was generations in the making. The Jacobsville Elementary fourth-grader started drag racing just last August, but he has done well in his races and is already reaching speeds up to 70mph. He’s got a custom-made car — compliments of his grandfather — painted in orange, yellow and red hues to look like flames. He can reach the finish line of a one-eighth-mile track in less than nine seconds.

“The feeling I have going down the track is great,” Chase said. “At the start, there is a little vibration as the engine revs, but when I am going down the track, it’s really just very smooth.”

Chase’s grandfather, Steve Hoover, also a Pasadena resident, raced cars on a dirt track and is also a dragster driver. Chase’s father, Chris Daly, races street-worthy cars and owns a Camaro and Corvette, among others. His mother, Stacy Daly, knew it would be only a matter of time before Chase would want to get behind the wheel of his own car. “He is already saying he wants to be a professional driver,” she said.

Chase’s favorite driver is his grandfather, who offered Chase a deal to earn his own junior-dragster car when Chase was just in second grade.

“My grandfather said I could get a car if I got my grades up and keep them up,” said Chase, who continues to fulfil his part of the deal. His grandfather purchased and rebuilt a used dragster. The car is emblazoned with the number 17C.

“He is doing so great. I am so proud of him, I really don’t even have the words to explain how much,” Hoover said. “When he puts on that helmet, he’s a different kid. He listens to everything I say, and what other drivers say. He also watches other drivers to see what they do and what tips he can pick up to make himself a better racer.”

Chase practices at Capitol Raceway in Crofton. He loves going fast, a sentiment to which his classmates can relate.

“My friends think drag racing is kinda cool,” Chase said. “They always tell me, ‘I wish I could do that!’”

Hoover guesses that Chase will need an upgraded car by the end of this season, an endeavor that will likely cost thousands of dollars. For now, Chase doesn’t have any sponsors, but Hoover said he’s had so many businesses and people approach him that it’s likely there will be some logos on Chase’s next car.

The start of the new racing season is in May, and Chase will be ready with his grandfather by his side.

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