RPW Exclusive: Family A Big Part Of DIRTcar Champions Kevin Root & CD Beauchamp’s Teams In ’19
Column By: BOBBY CHALMERS / RPW – SYRACUSE, NY – Family is big in racing. We’ve all seen it. Many of us, including myself, have experienced it. Saturday night at the annual DIRTcar banquet in Syracuse, NY, the family bond was most prevalent.
It showed itself in many ways, not just for the championship teams. The packed house, according the DIRTcar CEO (and 83rd place points man in the DIRTcar Pro Stock Series) Brian Carter, is one amazing racing family. You also have Mat Williamson and Erick Rudolph, whose father’s and other family members are big parts of their racing programs.
However, right now, it’s time to look at Sportsman titlist Kevin Root and Pro Stock point king CD Beauchamp. For them, family means everything.
To understand the connection of family in racing, all you have to do is look at the team of Kevin Root…and most notably, Kevin’s crew chief, his son, Nicholas. It’s plainly obvious that Nicholas means the world to the driver of the #34 and that, along with the team Kevin has behind him, allowed him to secure his second consecutive Sportsman Series title in 2019.
When co-emcee Shane Andrews asked who Root wanted to thank for getting him to the head table, the champ deferred to his son.
“I think my son’s gonna take care of that,” Root said with Nicholas at his side on stage.
It was then that the youngster reeled off the names that supported his father’s racing efforts this past season and proceeded to bring the crowd to thunderous laughter as he made an announcement. As a two-time championship crew chief, he was now taking job offers.
For his efforts, in a very cool jester, DIRTcar gave Nicholas his very own champion’s trophy, inscribed with the title, Sportsman Series Crew Chief Champion, Nicholas Root…a very classy move by the Series.
Kevin’s 2019 was one that many in DIRTcar Sportsman racing would be proud of. Two wins on tour (10 overall DIRTcar victories) with six top 5’s in seven starts propelled him to the title by 103 markers over Super DIRT Week champion Kyle Inman.
“The competition right now is so tough that any time you can come out on top, it’s a good day,” Root said with his son by his side. “Our team works hard, just like everybody else here does, and you better bring your A-game every night. If not, you’re going to be finishing 10th or 12th.”
Pro Stock Champion CD Beauchamp enjoyed a solid season in 2019 with his family-owned team en route to his first career series title. While accepting his accolades, he gave plenty of credit to his crew, which he feels are like his family, and to his father.
“My dad is always there,” Beauchamp said. “Fred, Sam, Eric, the guys on my crew are like brothers to me. This is a true family here with this team.”
CD’s father, Richard, was then called onto the stage by Shane Andrews and reiterated how much of a family team they have.
“I am very proud of my son and the team,” Mr. Beauchamp said. “We all have been working so hard for this and it’s a family affair. We’ve been racing for 35 years so it’s truly amazing for me to see my son following in my footsteps.”
The 2019 season was a great one for the driver from Ormstown, Que. as he led the DIRTcar Pro Stock ranks with nine victories. He had one win on the tour, coming in the series opener at the Cornwall Motor Speedway. He also captured three top 5’s and six top 10’s in seven starts, taking the championship by 13 points over Jay Corbin.
“I really have no words,” CD said. “The amazing season we had was truly because of the hard work and dedication by the guys we have on our team. They give me a good car every race and I’m just the driver. They do all the hard work and deserve all the credit.”
Plans for CD and the team are to come back and chase after two major achievements…another DIRTcar title and another victory during Super DIRT Week.
Congratulations to all four of the 2019 DIRTcar Series Champions, and congratulations to their teams and supporters. You’ve truly proven that racing is a ‘family’ sport.
