HEPHZIBAH, Ga. – NASCAR Camping World Truck Series driver Wendell Chavous has announced that he will step away from NASCAR racing indefinitely following Saturday’s Fr8Auctions 250 at Talladega (Ala.) Superspeedway.
Chavous has competed in a majority of the series schedule over the past two seasons, including running full time this season for Jay Robinson’s Premium Motorsports. All but three of his 49 career Truck Series starts to-date have been made with Robinson.
The 33-year-old has a career-best finish of 12th, achieved twice this season. He set the mark at Daytona (Fla.) Int’l Speedway in February and equaled it at Texas Motor Speedway in April.
Chavous cited a desire to spend more time with his family as a leading factor in his decision.
“This decision was not made easily, and I did not make it in haste. It took me a long time to fully embrace and feel good about making this choice,” Chavous said in a statement posted to his social media accounts. “I truly know in my heart it is the right thing to do for me and for my family as well.
“I have a four-year-old son who is growing up very fast and I’ve missed important times in his life because of my racing career,” he added. “I am a father first and I want to be there for him to guide him and watch him grow up. He is racing go-karts now and is quite the little wheelman. It is important to me that I not miss any of his upcoming races.”
Chavous is also a successful business owner and added that those time constraints were an additional nudge in the direction to step away.
“As if those (family) reasons were not enough, I also own and operate my own business: Steel Barn Truss. That requires an exuberant amount of my time,” Chavous noted. “I have been fortunate, and my company has grown exponentially over the past few years, which I’m grateful for.
“In order for my company to continue growing, I have to devote much more of my time and effort into my business, so it can continue to be successful well into the future.”
Though he’s leaving the sport, Chavous noted that he’s not disappointed about the end of his journey.
“I am not sour about my decision at all,” he said. “I am leaving with my head held high and with no regrets. I am excited for my family and for what our future together holds.
“I want to sincerely thank everyone at Premium Motorsports for allowing me the opportunity to drive for them. Jay Robinson took a chance on me and I am forever grateful to him and his entire organization. I also want to thank all my sponsors for their support. It has meant the world to me and I couldn’t have done any of this without them.
“NASCAR has provided me with the ultimate platform, one that has turned my dreams into reality. … We had some great times and some tough times, but they are all times I will never forget.”
Chavous’ announcement is the second instance in recent weeks of a driver electing to step out of the seat. Justin Fontaine revealed on Sept. 17 that he will depart the sport at season’s end, citing stress on his family and the burden of securing sponsorship.
