Drag Illustrated Issue 151, December 2019 | Page 84

30 UNDER 30 / 2019
CHASE FREEMAN
■ ELITE MOTORSPORTS
doesn’t have a team mascot, but if
they did it might be Chase Freeman,
the standout crew guy who embod-
ies everything that makes the close-
knit team special.
Loyal, hard-working and driven,
Freeman has a Swiss Army knife
skillset, doing a little bit of every-
thing for the Pro Stock and Pro Mod
operation. He’s also the life of the
party, enjoying things to the fullest
in a fashion that has made the team
one of the most cohesive and suc-
cessful in the sport, and Freeman is
a major reason why.
“If you’re not having fun, you’re
not doing it right,” Freeman be-
lieves. “We’re serious and like to
win, but if you can’t joke around,
then nobody’s having a good time.
You should never had a bad day at
the racetrack.”
Freeman’s upbeat and positive energy has re-
flected well on the team, and it’s also a reason
why he’s a selection for the 30 Under 30 list in
2019. But Freeman’s expertise goes far deeper.
After graduating with a computer science de-
gree – something that still comes in handy on the
Pro Mod side – in 2013, his uncle, team owner
Richard Freeman, asked him to come racing.
It means 30 weeks on the road and plenty of
hours in the shop, but Chase Freeman wouldn’t
trade it for anything, especially con-
sidering the wins and champion-
ships he’s been part of.
“It’s a true family affair,” Free-
man says of the team, which also
includes his father, Royce. “I think
we have a special group within our
team. Everyone is one giant family.
Even at the shop, we all go eat lunch
together. It’s fantastic what we have
and I’m lucky to be around it all.”
Freeman drives Erica Enders’
transporter to the races, maintains
her car and also shares duties with
the rest of the team working on the
various Pro Mod and Pro Stock cars.
That versatility has been extremely
beneficial to the team, and it’s also
paid dividends for Freeman, who
has soaked up information from the
likes of crew chiefs Rickie and Rick
Jones, Mark Ingersoll and others.
“Me being around all aspects of
the business, it’s been good for me,” Freeman says.
“I don’t really classify myself in one role because I
have to do so much. But it’s all exciting and I just
try to soak it all in.” – J O S H H AC H DI
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Issue 151