Sinking a monster quad is...
Sinking a monster quad is easy as Chase shows us, but getting out is not!
McCauley now races in several classes and sees his share of luck, whether it be good or bad. You cannot miss Chase and the crew when they arrive to a race because they carry a small arsenal of Can-Am Outlander quads on a flatbed trailer with them. When asked why Can-Am, Chase simply states, "Can-Am by far has the best product for the mud, and if you want to win, you better show up on a Can-Am." Well, we found this to be true at the Busco Beach round of the CMR series. Chase not only won the Open/Pro class in the Swampcross on Friday night but also came back with a vengeance on Saturday as he took both the Class 2 and 3 overall wins. Watching the focus and determination on McCauley's face as he navigated those bogs was nothing less than sheer excitement. Not only did this lead to a point championship later in the year, it also gave Chase some much needed cash to continue what he loves doing most. What is amazing is that this wouldn't be the last time Chase would win both Class 2 and then 3 at a single event. He was able to repeat at the Can-Am Nationals held at Rural Shade ATV Park. I think we all must admit that this feat was nothing less than incredible.
Racing all over the southeast United States gives you a chance to see many different types of tracks, or in Chase's case, mud bogs. Racers have their favorites and most have a liking for places in where they have previously won. But for Chase McCauley it's a little different. "My favorite place to race is definitely Mud Creek in Jacksonville, Texas," McCauley says. "The tracks are set up perfectly for good competitive racing, and with the largest events of the year held there, it brings out the best competition."
Along the way in most any racer's career, there are some people who inspire their desire to race and win. For Chase there were many, but two stick out in his mind. "There are a lot of guys who have gained my respect, and fellow mud racer Seth Russell is one of them. He is top-notch both in and out of the pit, and I have learned a lot from watching him," McCauley declares. But Chase's list actually expands outside of mud racers as cross-country woods racer and sponsor Mike Penland has made a lasting impression as well. "Mike Penland is a legend in the sport of utility ATV racing, and that guy can race anything and win. He showed up to the biggest event of the year, raced his very first mud bog and won!"
As if the 2008 season was not enough, 2009 will make an even bigger splash on the life of Chase McCauley as he has recently joined Team Gorilla Axle. Gorilla Axle will have Chase competing on several machines including an Outlander 800 built for Class 3 racing and an Open-class Outlander 800. "When I was approached by Greg McMullen and DaWayne Crowder from Gorilla Axle, it was a no-brainer for me because it puts me in the perfect position for a great 2009 season," Chase claims. McCauley will be competing in two series as well as any local events he can get to. The Championship Mud Racing Series and the High Lifter Pro Series racing circuit will be his primary focus for points and prizes.
When asked if he had any advice for future stars in the world of mud racing, Chase had this to say, "Definitely just get out there and try it. Our sport is still in the stage where anyone can come out and win. You don't have to come out on a $30,000 ATV to win in mud racing."
If Chase can continue down the same path in 2009 as he did this past season, you can bet he will have nothing less than an impactful career in the mud-racing world. And when asked what the future will bring for him, he hopes to fulfill his dream of more championships while becoming an ambassador for the sport of mud racing for many years to come. He knows that obtaining and maintaining great sponsors is a tough game, but with a good attitude and great results in the pit, Chase already has a leg up on the competition.