In the coastal town of Wading River, New York, the Van Houten family, spanning three generations of racers, has created a thrilling legacy on the asphalt. At the heart of this narrative is Chase Van Houten, whose blood pulses with the racing spirit inherited from his father and grandfather. Growing up amidst the heady scent of burning rubber and surrounded by the thunderous echoes of engines, Chase and his sister Kendall absorbed a racing passion that goes beyond competition. From go-karts to Legend Cars, under the guidance of their father and uncles, the siblings embraced racing as more than a sport; it became a rite of passage, a celebration of skill, speed, and the unbreakable family bond. The Van Houten story doesn't just unravel as a racing narrative; rather it serves as a testament to the convergence of family, speed, and the relentless pursuit of victory on life's twisting paths.
Chase, a high school junior, manages the dual demands of academics and full-time racing, supported by his family every step of the way. His racing journey commenced at the age of eight, fueled by the inspiration drawn from watching his father, Brad, tear up the track for the past 20 years, "I was inspired watching him and wanted to do it myself," Chase expressed. Chase started racing at Riverhead Raceway, the local track where he watched his dad and uncle, Michael Van Houten Jr., race Legend Cars and where his uncle, Eric Goodale, races in the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour. And it's not just the guys; Kendall competes in the semi-pro division, sharing the track with her brother.
While most siblings stick to typical rivalries, Kendall and her brother bring theirs to the racetrack. "We were rivals when we were younger, so I was scared he was going to be the one taking me out," Kendall laughed. Currently a freshman at Sacred Heart, she continues to race when she's back home on weekends. Despite having less time with her car, Kendall appreciates the support of her dad, brother, and grandpa, who have been instrumental in working on her car. She immersed herself in racing when Chase couldn’t participate one night, and ever since, she has been hooked. "I fell in love with it so quickly, and my dad was like, 'Oh crap, now we're going to have to get one,'" Kendall reminisced. As the two siblings have matured, racing has brought them closer, yet the sibling rivalry remains.
"My sister and I still race to the front seat every time we leave somewhere; it's just the little things that you have to win," Chase remarked.
Just like any parent anxiously witnessing their child take the wheel, the experience is a tad nerve-wracking for Brad and his wife, Laura. With two of their children navigating the track, the intensity is heightened. "Sometimes my mom refuses to watch. She has to watch from afar, and can't be against the fence," Kendall recounted.
Even Brad, who has been behind the wheel for over two decades, acknowledges the unique sensation of watching his own children race.
"Watching them race was a different dynamic for me as a dad. I was nervous—I didn't want them to get hurt—but they loved it. And then they were competitive amongst themselves," Brad confessed.
Chase recently wrapped up his third full season of racing Legend Cars, putting together a record of two wins and 17 combined top five finishes in asphalt, dirt, and road course, seamlessly following in his dad's tire tracks.
"He is certainly developing his craft; he's beating me, beating me in my own car," Brad proudly admitted. Beyond the track and the garage, Chase finds joy in playing basketball and relishing the deliciousness of tacos. His journey into the world of racing began with go-karts, inspired by years of watching his dad command the track.
"Once I finally got into a go-kart, I felt like I was like my dad," Chase reminisced.
Starting at Riverhead Raceway every Sunday, racing go-karts alongside other kids, he has since elevated his racing career, crisscrossing the country in Legend Cars. This year, he made his mark at Asphalt Nations at the Bullring at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, finishing sixth in the Semi-Pro Division championship feature. While Chase has always been part of a family team, he ventured into new territory during the Cook Out Summer Shootout this past June and Asphalt Nationals in October, running with Joe Ryan Race Cars.
Reflecting on the experience, Chase shared, “I wasn't racing with my family, which is a different experience, but I was able to stay at Joe’s house and got to work in the shop too, which was a cool experience. I learned a lot during that.”
Balancing work as a family usually comes with its challenges, but for the Van Houten family, they've mastered the art of race day preparations. "Getting everything prepared is mayhem, but we always get it done," Chase chuckled. He elaborated on the process, detailing how the week begins with preparations in the shop, meticulously ensuring the cars are in top-notch condition. When Saturday rolls around, it transforms into what he affectionately called "panic day," a coordinated frenzy to load up everyone and everything, setting the stage for the journey to the track. Every family member plays a distinct role in the team's success.
"You're focused on one thing as a family and as a team; everybody has their role. My wife handles the coordination of logistics, my dad and I work on the cars, and Chase and Kendall have responsibilities to get ready for an event," explained Brad.
The Van Houten family operates as a well-oiled machine, where each member's contribution is vital to the overall success of the team. From the meticulous work in the garage to the strategic planning behind the scenes, their collective effort ensures that the team is not only competitive on the track but also organized and prepared for every racing event.
Chase has absorbed valuable lessons from his dad both on and off the track, but one piece of advice has resonated deeply with him: "Stay humble and just trust, trust what we're doing and trust the process. It'll all come together for me at some point," Chase reflected.
Racing isn't just a sport for the Van Houten family; it's a shared passion that binds them together.
"It's always the talk at the dinner table. At times it's stressful since we're family and have to see each other every day on or off the track. In a way, it's also better because I know I'm out there racing with people who care about me," shared Kendall.
The Van Houtens not only conquer the challenges of the track but also navigate the intricacies of family dynamics, turning their shared love for racing into a unifying force that strengthens their bonds.
As a family, they aspire to uphold the racing tradition for the upcoming generation. Chase shares his wish that, in the future, his child becomes the "biggest racing nerd ever”. The Van Houten’s are a perfect mix of competition and friendship through a shared love for racing. Even in a sporting arena such as a race track, they demonstrate how family bonds can endure through the twists and turns of life.