Danny Chisholm – From Go Karts and Bandos to NASCAR Canada (Interview)
#19 Danny Chisholm in his NASCAR Canada Series Ride
June 12th, 2024
Introduction
Danny Chisholm has emerged as one of the most promising young talents in Maritime racing. At just 19 years old, Chisholm has already made a significant impact in various racing series in both Canada and the USA, showcasing his skill and determination. His journey from go-karts to Legends Cars, and now to Pro Stocks and the NASCAR Canada Series, highlights his rapid rise through the ranks.
Early Career
Chisholm began his racing career at the age of 8, starting with Go-Karts and Bandoleros, where he quickly demonstrated his natural talent. His early success in Go-Karts provided him with some road racing expertise, while Bandoleros gave him oval experience.
Recent Achievements
Chisholm's recent achievements include winning the 2021 and 2022 Scotia Speedworld track Legends division championships. In 2022, he also dominated the Maritime League of Legends Tour, winning 7 of his 11 starts, finishing second twice, third once, and only missing the podium in one race due to mechanical issues. In 2022, Chisholm won the Nashville Spring Nationals in Legends, winning half of the features and competing against notable names like current ASA STARS National Tour top-ranked rookie #26 Dawson Sutton.
Chisholm's impressive resume also features success in Florida at the Little Gator Legend Cars Winter Nationals, local feature wins at multiple tracks, running Granite State Legends Cars at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, road course racing in a Legend at Grand Prix de Trois-Rivières, and Legends racing in both Charlotte, North Carolina, and as part of the Oxford 250 weekend in Oxford, Maine, against fellow Nova Scotian Austin MacDonald. His stellar performance over the past year has made him a standout in the racing community.
ECI Pro Stock Tour
In his first ever East Coast International Pro Stock Tour race, Chisholm finished an impressive third, demonstrating his ability to compete with top-tier drivers right from the start. This performance is a testament to his adaptability and racing prowess across different formats and competitions.
NASCAR Canada Series Debut
Chisholm made his debut in the NASCAR Canada Series at Canadian Tire Motorsports Park (CTMP), driving the #19 car for Wight Motorsports. This opportunity marked a significant milestone in his career, as he competed against some of the top drivers in Canada in a different type of full-bodied car. Despite being new to this type of competition, Chisholm was able to finish on the lead lap, an impressive feat for his first outing.
Future Prospects
By continuing to build on his solid foundation and leveraging his experience in various racing disciplines, Danny Chisholm is well on his way to becoming a notable name in the racing world in many different places.
Having raced in so many different places, on so many different types of tracks, do you have any particular favourite, or favourite type of track?
My adaptability is something I take great pride in and that has come through years of competing at every different venue that was available. I’ve competed at every oval track in Atlantic Canada as well as 10+ tracks spanning across the United States. These are a mix of both oval and road course tracks and I believe that not sticking to a single weekly series is what has made me a better driver in comparison to my competitors.
How did it feel to finish third in your first ever East Coast International Pro Stock Tour race? What was your mind set going into the race, compared to after your placing?
I could not have asked for a better way to start off my Pro Stock career and I was beyond excited to run the way we did. Being competitive and completing all the laps is one thing but to show up having never driven a Late Model at Scotia Speedworld before and legitimately contending for the entirety of the race exceeded all of my expectations. It just goes to show how good of a car Nova Racing brings to the track each and every week.
What are your primary goals for the 2024 racing season and beyond?
For 2024 I look to continue to build on last years’ success in the Pro Stock and compete in a few marquee events in the NASCAR Canada Series.
Are there any sponsors, mentors, or supporters you would like to acknowledge for their role in your racing career?
There are two people I do not give enough credit to, and that is my Mom and Dad. There is no one else who believes more in me then they do and they have been the only reason for my success. They have supported me in the best way a parent could and have worked extremely hard to ensure I can be the best version of myself.
Donald [Chisholm - no relation] and George [Koszkulics] have given me the opportunity to show that I am more than just a legend car driver and are the reason that I was able to go racing in NASCAR Canada. Without their support and letting me get behind the wheel of the 89 Nova Construction Ford I would have never gotten the recognition I needed to make the next step.
