10/3/2024
ALL DIRT ROADS: Tristan, Duane Chamberlain Enter World Finals With Rookie Year Curveballs Behind Them
The 17-year-old driver earned his first World of Outlaws podium with a 14-place charge at Rocket Raceway Park
CONCORD, NC (October 3, 2024) – A full year of racing with the World of Outlaws CASE Construction Equipment Late Models can be daunting for any driver. Especially starting at 16 years old.
However, unfazed by pressures of a national tour schedule, Tristan Chamberlain took on the challenge with his dad, Duane Chamberlain as his crew chief. Now, with a full year of notes and momentum on their side, the Chamberlains are set to end the year on a high note at the World of Outlaws World Finals (Nov. 6-9) as they prepare for 2025.
Tristan grew up in Richmond, IN and started racing in 2015. He won four consecutive track championships at the Little Eldora Speedway go-kart track and then moved up to dirt Late Models in 2019. He won the Ultimate Heart of America Late Model championship in 2021 and earned the 2023 World 100 Rookie of the Year honors.
The Chamberlains took a major step in 2024, joining the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models with Gibson Racing - Tristan driving the No. 20TC as a rookie and Duane serving as his crew chief.
“One thing my dad’s done really well is throwing me into it since I was 13 running World of Outlaws shows regionally,” said Tristan, who turned 17 in July. “Building that up, racing with these guys, even though I’m 17, they’re just like any other guy on the racetrack but they’re really good. I don’t take it like any other race, though. There’s nothing different in my approach, it’s about executing our goals every night.”
During July, the Chamberlains switched to an Infinity Chassis under the sheet metal and became the third driver to run the Wells Motorsports-built car alongside fellow Series competitor Ryan Gustin, and Evans, GA native Brandon Overton.
“Being on the road (with Tristan) is a lot of fun” Duane said. “We’ve gotten along good. We haven’t tried to kill each other. The family has enjoyed the travel, going to new tracks is a lot of fun. Most of the tracks are new to me as well as him. So, on the other side, it’s been a learning experience for the both of us. No notebook entering this year, so we’ve been building that. Running with the Infinity Chassis has also been a learning curve. It’s not been easy. It’s been a struggle at times. I think we’re moving forward in the right direction.”
In his MD3 rookie campaign, “Tricky” picked up six top-10 finishes at tracks previously foreign to him. In September, Chamberlain had a statement drive at Rocket Raceway Park, charging his way from 17th to third for his first career podium with “The Most Powerful Late Models on the Planet.”
“More than anything, it’s been shortening Tristan’s learning curve,” Duane said. “If we go to eight or 10 racetracks around our home, it’s the same tracks over and over. He’s getting to experience a lot of different dirt, and the different dirt changes through the night. It’s a learning year, but it’ll benefit him in the future.”
Tristan echoed his dad, and stated he’s already seen a change in his driving style.
“There’s so much learning to do in just one year,” Tristan said. “Especially when you’re racing against (the World of Outlaws) and really good locals too. Going to these places brings a lot of change in how I drive. The chassis switch to Infinity is about getting adjusted, but it’s been a lot of fun I can say. I’ve had my teeth kicked in, but I’ve had a lot of fun.
“The biggest thing is going to these tracks and learning what it does and how you race on it. The car has to be different, my driving style, it all has to be a little bit different. That’s the biggest thing is driving ability and being able to relay that info back to the setup. Being a rookie, it’s hard to do that against the best drivers in the sport. They’re going to have a bit of an edge on us. The more I race, the more I’ll be equal to them.”
The duo is equally excitement for the 2025 season. They expect the lessons learned in their rookie year will propel them to a fruitful sophomore season.
“We’re really excited for next season,” Duane said. “We just think we’re gonna be a way’s ahead of where we were this year in general. We’ll be better prepared, what to prepare for, knowing what to expect in all aspects. We’ll be much further ahead of the ballgame starting in January.”
Tristan also feels the support from his family while he spends weeks on the road, explaining how team owner Wayne Gibson wanted to have the teenager’s family involved.
“The big thing with us about this deal is that it’s family-oriented,” Tristan said. “(Wayne Gibson) wanted to do this like a family deal, so that’s important having my dad here, my mom, and sister with us whenever they can come to work the merchandise trailer. It’s been really awesome having my family because, after a while on the road, you can feel homesick.
“It’s been fun to do this and I’m excited for 2025 because after going to a place like Volusia for the first time, I know what to expect now. I’m more excited now because I’ve seen what the World of Outlaws consists of after a year.”
Duane and Tristan get set for the final three nights of the World of Outlaws CASE Late Models at The Dirt Track at Charlotte for World of Outlaws World Finals, Nov. 6-9. The Series will be joined by the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Cars and Super DIRTcar Series in crowning the three champions of each Series to close out 2024.
Article Credit: Article by Matt Skipper | Images by Emily Schwanke