Career Beginnings: Mandy comes from a family with a long heritage in racing, her Grandfather, Steve Chick, Sr., has been building race cars since the early 1960’s and is well known for his many technical talents. Mandy’s Father, Steve Chick, Jr., was groomed by Steve, Sr., and has driven race cars, worked as a professional racing Fabricator & Mechanic, served as Crew Chief for several teams, and even managed their family-owned NASCAR team – Team Chick Motorsports, which competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and NASCAR Nationwide Series from 2001-2006.
When the family sold their NASCAR team, primarily due to lack of sponsorship in 2006, they began looking for what their next racing venue would be. After helping some other young drivers in several Stock Car Racing endeavors, Team Chick Motorsports found Quarter Midget Racing. The local club in Topeka, KS, holds 2 events per year where parents can take their kids to one of the best Quarter Midget racing facilities in the entire country and let them try their hand at driving a Quarter Midget, in a controlled environment. Mandy took 10 laps in a Quarter Midget and when she emerged from the race car she immediately asked her Father & Grandfather, “When can we get one for me?!?!” Since then the Chick Family has made many friends and experienced a truly amazing level of sportsmanship among their competitors.
Mandy is like many other 17 year old girls, while traveling, she reads, does homework, or listens to music – many times playing Jason Aldean and most country singers, Zach Williams, Casting Crowns & Danny Gokey. When she is home, she enjoys playing with her dogs – Ivy & Lola and working in the shop with her race team. However, Mandy is blessed with being able to do something somewhat unique to kids her age. She has become a force to be taken seriously,
Mandy competed in Asphalt Pro Late Models at Lebanon I-44 Speedway in Lebanon, MO in late 2015 and the entire 2016 season earning the 2016 NASCAR Missouri State Rookie of the Year. In 2017, she competed in the JEGS/CRA All Stars Tour and finished 10th place in driver points while running only half the tour races. In 2018, she finished a strong 4th place in the JEGS/CRA All Stars Tour championship and won the Sportsmanship Award voted on by the officials. Mandy will compete for the 2019 championship in the JEGS/CRA All Stars Tour and run a few ARCA/CRA Super Series races.
Mandy says, “If I am really lucky, work hard and earn a spot – someday I can drive in NASCAR. Indy cars are cool, but need to be safer for me to race them. If not, I will probably be a Mechanical Engineer! There are lot of races and fun times that we will have between now and then, that’s for sure!”