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Gabby Chaves
Gabby Chaves
from Wikipedia

Gabriel Chaves (born 7 July 1993) is a Colombian-American racing driver, currently competing in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship and the Michelin Pilot Challenge. He raced in the IndyCar Series and is the 2014 Indy Lights Champion.[1]

Key Information

Racing career

[edit]

Early career

[edit]

After winning several karting titles, Chaves began racing cars in 2007 in Skip Barber series in the United States. In 2008 he made his pro debut in Formula BMW Americas and finished 4th in Formula BMW Pacific and finished fourteenth in the Formula BMW World Finals. In 2009, he competed in a full season of Formula BMW Americas for Eurointernational and won the title, capturing five wins and three poles.[2]

Chaves brought his career to Europe in 2010, where he raced in the Italian Formula Three Championship with Eurointernational. He finished tenth in points and captured rookie of the year honors.[3] In 2011 he signed to race with the Addax Team in the GP3 Series.[4] Chaves finished nineteenth in points with a best finish of fourth at the Valencia Street Circuit.

American open-wheel racing

[edit]

In 2012, Chaves return to the United States and signed with JDC MotorSports to race in the Star Mazda Championship. Chaves finished second in points with wins at the final two races of the season at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Road Atlanta. The driver climbed to the Indy Lights in 2013, having signed for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports.[5] He was runner-up with one win and ten podiums, and was part of the closest finish in the history of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (when Peter Dempsey grabbed the Freedom 100 victory as part of a four-wide photo finish. Dempsey finished ahead of Chaves by a mere 0.0026 seconds).

He signed on with Belardi Auto Racing for the 2014 Indy Lights season and won the championship, capturing four wins (including the Freedom 100) and eleven podiums in fourteen races.

Chaves signed with Bryan Herta Autosport to race full-time at the IndyCar Series in 2015.[6] Chaves led 31 laps at Pocono Raceway and had assumed the lead after leader and fellow rookie Sage Karam crashed, fatally injuring Justin Wilson in the process. Chaves led when the race was restarted with six laps to go but was passed for the lead. He was still on pace for his first podium finish when his engine let go with three laps remaining, bringing out a caution flag and effectively ending the race. The race was both Chaves' first laps led and only DNF of the season. Chaves captured the Rookie of the Year title by 78 points over Stefano Coletti. However, due to a sponsor default, the team was unable to retain him for the next season.[7] The team would confirm former Caterham and Manor Racing driver Alexander Rossi to drive the No. 98 for the season.[8]

The Colombian drove part-time for Dale Coyne Racing in the 2016 season, with a best result of twelfth at Detroit race 1. In 2017, Chaves joined Harding Racing for the Indianapolis 500, Texas and Pocono races.[9][10]

Chaves was appointed as driver coach for the USF Juniors, an entry-level series for the Road to Indy, ahead of the inaugural season in 2022.[11]

Sports car racing

[edit]

Chaves joined the DeltaWing entry at the four endurance races of the United SportsCar Championship in 2014. He led fifteen laps of the 10-hour finale at Road Atlanta, the Petit Le Mans, helping the team to a season-high fourth-place finish.

In 2020, Chaves joined Bryan Herta Autosport for a full season drive in the Michelin Pilot Challenge as a co-driver with Ryan Norman.[12]

Personal life

[edit]

Chaves' father is a Colombian JetBlue airline pilot and Chaves has raced under both the American and Colombian flags.[13]

Racing record

[edit]

Complete GP3 Series results

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position) (Races in italics indicate fastest lap)

Year Entrant 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 DC Points
2011 Addax Team IST
FEA

10
IST
SPR

12
CAT
FEA

13
CAT
SPR

6
VAL
FEA

4
VAL
SPR

5
SIL
FEA

Ret
SIL
SPR

14
NÜR
FEA

27†
NÜR
SPR

17
HUN
FEA

23
HUN
SPR

Ret
SPA
FEA

16
SPA
SPR

16
MNZ
FEA

17
MNZ
SPR

7
19th 8
Sources:[14][15]

Star Mazda Championship

[edit]
Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Rank Points
2012 JDC MotorSports STP
3
STP
4
BAR
3
BAR
5
IND
9
IOW
5
TOR
3
TOR
4
EDM
3
EDM
3
TRO
5
TRO
2
BAL
3
BAL
8
LAG
2
LAG
1
ATL
1
2nd 360
Source:[16]

Indy Lights

[edit]
Year Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Rank Points Ref
2013 Schmidt Peterson Motorsports STP
8
ALA
3
LBH
2
INDY
2
MIL
4
IOW
2
POC
3
TOR
3
MOH
1*
BAL
3
HOU
2
FON
2
2nd 449 [17]
2014 Belardi Auto Racing STP
2
LBH
1
ALA
6
ALA
1
IND
11
IND
8
INDY
1
POC
1
TOR
2
MOH
2
MOH
3
MIL
3
SNM
2
SNM
2
1st 547 [18]

IndyCar Series

[edit]

(key)

Year Team Chassis No. Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Rank Points Ref
2015 Bryan Herta Autosport Dallara DW12 98 Honda STP
17
NLA
15
LBH
16
ALA
16
IMS
15
INDY
16
DET
18
DET
9
TXS
10
TOR
15
FON
20
MIL
11
IOW
16
MOH
12
POC
11
SNM
14
15th 281 [19]
2016 Dale Coyne Racing 19 STP PHX LBH ALA IMS
17
INDY
20
DET
12
DET
13
RDA
19
IOW
17
TOR MOH POC TXS
14
WGL SNM 22nd 121 [20]
2017 Harding Racing 88 Chevrolet STP LBH ALA PHX IMS INDY
9
DET DET TXS
5
RDA IOW TOR MOH POC
15
GTW WGL SNM 23rd 98 [21]
2018 STP
14
PHX
15
LBH
19
ALA
17
IMS
17
INDY
14
DET
18
DET
19
TXS
15
ROA
19
IOW
21
TOR MOH POC GTW
18
POR
13
SNM 21st 187 [22]

* Season still in progress.

Indianapolis 500

[edit]
Year Chassis Engine Start Finish Team
2015 Dallara Honda 26 16 Bryan Herta Autosport
2016 Dallara Honda 21 20 Dale Coyne Racing
2017 Dallara Chevrolet 25 9 Harding Racing
2018 Dallara Chevrolet 22 14 Harding Racing
Source:[23]

IMSA SportsCar Championship

[edit]

(key) (Races in bold indicate pole position)

Year Entrant Class Make Engine 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 Rank Points
2014 DeltaWing Racing Cars P DeltaWing DWC13 Élan (Mazda) 1.9 L I4 Turbo DAY
16
SEB
15
LBH LGA DET WGL
12
MOS IMS ELK COA PET
4
25th 82
2015 DeltaWing Racing Cars
with Claro/TracFone
P DeltaWing DWC13 Élan (Mazda) 1.9 L I4 Turbo DAY
15
SEB LBH LGA DET WGL MOS ELK COA PET 34th 17
2016 Panoz DeltaWing Racing P DeltaWing DWC13 Élan (Mazda) 1.9 L I4 Turbo DAY SEB LBH LGA DET WGL
7
MOS ELK COA PET 30th 25
2018 Mustang Sampling Racing P Cadillac DPi-V.R Cadillac 5.5 L V8 DAY SEB LBH MOH DET WGL
6
MOS ELK LGA 37th 48
Whelen Engineering Racing PET
8
2020 Whelen Engineering Racing DPi Cadillac DPi-V.R Cadillac 5.5 L V8 DAY DAY
5
SEB ELK ATL MOH PET LGA SEB
6
21st 51
2021 Forty7 Motorsports LMP3 Duqueine M30 - D08 Nissan VK56DE 5.6 L V8 DAY
7†
SEB MOH WGL WGL ELK PET NC† 0†
2022 Andretti Autosport LMP3 Ligier JS P320 Nissan VK56DE 5.6 L V8 DAY
4†
SEB
10
MOH
3
WGL
11
MOS
2
ELK
8
PET
1
5th 1764
2023 Andretti Autosport LMP3 Ligier JS P320 Nissan VK56DE 5.6 L V8 DAY
7†
SEB
9
WGL
4
MOS PET
7
18th 810
GTD Aston Martin Vantage AMR GT3 Aston Martin 4.0 L Turbo V8 LBH LGA
16
LIM
15
ELK VIR IMS
12
41st 555
2024 Andretti Motorsports GTD Porsche 911 GT3 R (992) Porsche 4.2 L Flat-6 DAY
9
SEB
8
LBH
9
LGA
10
WGL
10
MOS ELK VIR IMS
14
PET 23rd 1357
Source:[14]

Points only counted towards the Michelin Endurance Cup, and not the overall LMP3 Championship.

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
Gabriel "Gabby" Chaves (born July 7, 1993) is a Colombian-American professional racing driver who rose to prominence in American open-wheel racing, winning the 2014 Indy Lights championship and earning the Rookie of the Year honors, including the rookie award. He competed in the from 2015 to 2018, with full-season campaigns for in 2015 and Harding Racing in 2018, achieving a career-best fifth-place finish at in 2017 while driving for teams like and Harding Racing. Since 2022, Chaves has shifted focus to , competing in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship's GTD class with Andretti Motorsport for three seasons through 2024, often partnering with in an AMR GT3. Born in , , Chaves relocated to the at age eight and holds dual U.S.-Colombian citizenship, reflecting his father's career as an airline pilot based in the U.S. He began karting in 2004, quickly achieving multiple championships before progressing through junior formulas, including a runner-up finish in the 2012 Star Mazda Series. In 2013, driving for Schmidt Peterson Motorsports in Indy Lights (then Firestone Indy Lights), he secured second place overall and famously finished second in the Freedom 100 by just 0.0026 seconds in a four-wide . His 2014 title with Belardi Auto Racing featured four victories, paving the way for his IndyCar debut the following year. Beyond racing, Chaves co-founded Mobile Pitstop, a mobile mechanic service in , in 2019, blending his technical expertise with entrepreneurship. He maintains an active license through participation in two-seater rides via the Indy Racing Experience and tested a IR-18 car at in October 2024, hinting at potential future opportunities in the series. In late 2024, he expanded his portfolio by joining Racers Edge Motorsports for the season finale at , driving an NSX GT3 evo22.

Early life

Family and upbringing

Gabriel "Gabby" Chaves was born on July 7, 1993, in , , to parents Gabriel and Pilar Chaves. Chaves holds dual Colombian-American citizenship, having relocated with his family to the at the age of eight. The move was influenced by his father's career as a airline pilot, which required basing in the U.S. while maintaining ties to . Growing up in a with a heritage—his mother Pilar had competed in the Winston Cup Series in the 1990s before pausing her career upon learning of her with Gabby, and his grandfather and uncle were also racers—Chaves was exposed early to motorsports through stories and visits. His father's profession as a pilot further immersed him in and frequent during childhood, fostering an international perspective shaped by life between and . After settling in South Florida, Chaves' family provided strong support for his budding interest in racing, granting him access to local karting facilities where he began formal training at age 11. Pilar Chaves, in particular, balanced maternal concerns with encouragement, noting her son's calm demeanor even as a child.

Introduction to racing

Gabby Chaves' introduction to motorsports came during a family summer trip to Colombia when he was 11 years old, where his grandfather introduced him to go-karting at a local track, sparking his passion for racing amid the sport's competitive atmosphere. Inspired by these family travels and the proximity of tracks in Florida after relocating to Weston, Chaves began regular karting sessions, supported by his parents—his mother, a former racer, and his father, an airline pilot—who recognized his talent and provided encouragement to explore the hobby. From 2005 to 2006, Chaves competed in regional karting events across , quickly building skills in novice classes and achieving early successes, including the Easykart 60 cc Grand National Championship and the Minimax title in 2005, followed by the Rotax East Coast Division Championship and Stars of Karting East Cadet Class championship in 2006. These accomplishments at local venues like Homestead-Miami Speedway helped him gain confidence and visibility in the karting community, marking his transition from casual enthusiast to competitive driver. Encouraged by his early results, Chaves decided to pursue professional , enrolling in structured training programs and seeking sponsorships to advance his . A pivotal influence was his coach, Daniel Villa, a longtime mentor who guided him from karting fundamentals to more advanced techniques, culminating in Chaves winning the Karting Scholarship Shoot-out at age 13, which opened doors to formal racing education.

Racing career

Karting and junior formulas

Chaves began his competitive karting career in earnest in 2007, following earlier regional successes in , where he had claimed victories in the Florida Winter Tour and other local series as a young driver. That year, he achieved notable wins in regional events, including the Homestead Karting Summer Championship in the Easykart 60cc class, and contributed to his selection for the Racing School's Karts to Cars Scholarship Shoot-out, which he ultimately won, earning a transition to single-seater racing. Nationally, his karting prowess was highlighted by strong performances in the Stars of Karting series, building on his 2006 Eastern Division Cadet championship title. In 2007, at age 14, Chaves made his debut in car racing with the Skip Barber Summer Series, competing in the Southern and Eastern Regional championships. He secured top-10 finishes in several races, including leading laps at venues like Sebring and Road America, and demonstrated adaptability despite the shift from karts' low-slung handling to the higher center of gravity and open-wheel dynamics of the Skip Barber Formula 2000 cars. By the end of the 2007-08 season, he claimed the undefeated championship in the Skip Barber Southern Regional Series, finishing second overall in the Eastern Regional with 597 points. These results underscored his quick adjustment to single-seaters, though he noted initial challenges in managing tire wear and braking zones without the immediate feedback of karting. Chaves' progression accelerated in 2009 when he joined EuroInternational for the Americas Championship, entering at age 16 as one of the series' youngest competitors. Driving the BMW-powered FB017, he dominated the 14-race season, securing five victories—including a wire-to-wire win in the opener at , —and three pole positions, while finishing on the podium in every event to clinch the overall championship with 235 points. This title, achieved with consistent speed and strategic racing, marked a seamless adaptation to junior open-wheel formulas and positioned him for higher levels of competition.

Open-wheel progression

Chaves made his international open-wheel debut in the with the Team, competing in all 16 races across the European calendar. He achieved a best finish of fourth place in the feature race at the , along with several other top-10 results, culminating in 19th position in the drivers' championship with 16 points. This season provided Chaves with valuable experience in high-speed single-seaters on diverse circuits, including street courses and permanent tracks like Spa-Francorchamps and , honing his adaptability to varying track conditions and race formats. Returning to North America, Chaves joined JDC MotorSports for the 2012 Star Mazda Championship (later rebranded as Pro Mazda), where he demonstrated consistent pace in 17 races. He secured victories in the final two events at Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca and Road Atlanta, contributing to a runner-up finish in the championship standings behind Jack Hawksworth, with 10 podiums overall. These results showcased his growing proficiency in overtaking maneuvers and tire management on road courses, as evidenced by his late-season surge that included pole positions at key venues. In 2013, Chaves advanced to the Indy Lights Series with Schmidt Peterson with Curb-Agajanian, marking his rookie campaign in the developmental ladder to . He recorded one win at , a notable second-place finish in the Freedom 100 by 0.0026 seconds in a , and 10 podium finishes across 14 races, finishing as runner-up in the championship to by just 12 points. Notable performances included second-place results at the road course and Baltimore street circuit, where strategic pit decisions and aggressive passing elevated his standing. Switching to Belardi Auto Racing for 2014, Chaves dominated the Indy Lights Series, clinching the championship on a tiebreaker over Jack Harvey after 14 races. He secured four victories—at Long Beach, the Freedom 100 at (by a margin of 0.005 seconds), , and Mid-Ohio—along with 11 podiums, earning the series' Rookie of the Year honors despite his prior experience. This title run highlighted his refined racecraft, particularly in high-stakes battles and superspeedway simulations, securing him the Road to Indy scholarship and paving the way for his entry.

IndyCar Series

Chaves made his debut in 2015 as a full-time driver for with Curb-Agajanian, competing in all 16 races of the season and earning the Rookie of the Year honors with consistent performances, including two top-10 finishes and leading 31 laps total. He ranked 15th in the championship with 281 points, completing the second-most laps (1,583) among all drivers despite limited resources on a partial budget program. Over the following seasons from 2016 to 2018, Chaves raced part-time with Dale Coyne Racing and Harding Racing, accumulating 23 additional starts for a career total of 39 in the series, with no wins or poles but a career-best fifth-place finish at in 2017. His part-time efforts yielded one top-five and four top-10 results, alongside 13 DNFs primarily due to mechanical issues or accidents across ovals, road courses, and street circuits.

2015 Season

Chaves' rookie campaign highlighted his adaptability across all track types, with notable results on ovals like 10th at Texas and road courses like 9th at Detroit Race 2, though mechanical failures led to one DNF at Pocono. He started an average of 19.1 positions and finished 14.4 on average, showcasing reliability by avoiding further retirements after early challenges.
DateRaceTrack TypeStartFinishStatusLapsTeam
Mar 29Firestone Grand Prix of St. PetersburgStreet2217Running110Bryan Herta Autosport
Apr 12Toyota Grand Prix of Long BeachStreet1716Running80Bryan Herta Autosport
Apr 26Honda Indy Grand Prix of AlabamaRoad1716Running90Bryan Herta Autosport
May 9Angie's List Grand Prix of IndianapolisRoad1615Running82Bryan Herta Autosport
May 24Indianapolis 500Oval2616Running200Bryan Herta Autosport
May 30Chevrolet Dual in Detroit Race 1Street2318Running47Bryan Herta Autosport
May 31Chevrolet Dual in Detroit Race 2Street189Running68Bryan Herta Autosport
Jun 6Firestone 600Oval2010Running246Bryan Herta Autosport
Jun 14Grand Prix of TorontoStreet1315Running85Bryan Herta Autosport
Jul 12Kohler Grand Prix at Road AmericaRoad1211Running250Bryan Herta Autosport
Jul 18Iowa Corn IndyCar RaceOval2316Running299Bryan Herta Autosport
Jul 26Honda Indy 200 at Mid-OhioRoad2112Running90Bryan Herta Autosport
Aug 2ABC Supply 500Oval1611Running197Bryan Herta Autosport
Aug 23GoPro Grand Prix of SonomaRoad2114Running85Bryan Herta Autosport
Aug 30Grand Prix of BaltimoreStreet1815Running45Bryan Herta Autosport
Sep 20Mazda Grand Prix of Watkins GlenRoad2016Running60Bryan Herta Autosport
Source: ESPN race results for 2015.

2016 Season

Transitioning to a part-time schedule with Dale Coyne Racing, Chaves contested seven races, primarily on road and street courses with one oval, finishing 16th on average without top-10s but demonstrating pace on restarts and in traffic. No DNFs marred the season, underscoring improved mechanical reliability.
DateRaceTrack TypeStartFinishStatusLapsTeam
Mar 13Firestone Street1914Running110Dale Coyne Racing
Apr 17Honda Indy Grand Prix of AlabamaRoad1815Running69Dale Coyne Racing
May 1Phoenix Grand PrixOval2017Running250Dale Coyne Racing
May 29Oval2320Running199Dale Coyne Racing
Jun 5Chevrolet Dual in Race 1Street2112Running70Dale Coyne Racing
Jun 5Chevrolet Dual in Race 2Street1913Running70Dale Coyne Racing
Jun 26Kohler Grand Prix at Road2017Running208Dale Coyne Racing
Source: Driver Database and INDYCAR official results.

2017 Season

Chaves joined Harding Racing for a limited three-race program, achieving his career-best results including a fifth at oval amid chaos from cautions and a ninth at the Indy 500, with no DNFs and leading 31 laps at Pocono. His average finish improved to 13.8, with two top-10s.
DateRaceTrack TypeStartFinishStatusLapsTeam
May 28Oval229Running200Harding Racing
Jun 10Rainguard Water Sealers 600Oval185Running248Harding Racing
Aug 20ABC Supply 500Oval157Running200Harding Racing
Source: INDYCAR official results and team announcements.

2018 Season

Returning full-time with Harding Racing for 13 events, Chaves focused on ovals and select road/street races, posting an average finish of 17.8 with one DNF at Portland due to contact, but strong showings like 13th at Mid-Ohio highlighted progress in setup feedback. No top-10s, but he contributed to team development.
DateRaceTrack TypeStartFinishStatusLapsTeam
Mar 11Street1915Running110Harding Racing
Apr 8Road2017Running90Harding Racing
Apr 15Street2118Running85Harding Racing
Apr 29Oval1916Running250Harding Racing
May 27Oval2214Running200Harding Racing
Jun 2Chevrolet Dual in Race 1Street2019Running70Harding Racing
Jun 3Chevrolet Dual in Race 2Street1917Running70Harding Racing
Jun 24Kohler Grand Prix at Road2120Running208Harding Racing
Jul 8Oval2115Running240Harding Racing
Jul 14Iowa IndyCar RaceOval2019Running250Harding Racing
Jul 15Street2118Running85Harding Racing
Jul 8Road2013Running90Harding Racing
Aug 19Pocono 500Oval2221Running214Harding Racing
Sep 2Road2120Contact104Harding Racing
Source: Driver Database and ESPN summaries. Chaves did not compete in the in 2019 or 2020, shifting focus to .

Indianapolis 500 Results

Chaves competed in four s, with his best performance a ninth-place finish in 2017 after starting 22nd and running as high as fifth late in the race. His average starting position was 25.3, and he completed all but two full distances, earning Rookie of the Year in 2015.
YearStartFinishStatusLaps CompletedLedTeamNotes
20152616Running200/2000Rookie of the Year
20162320Running199/2000Dale Coyne Racing-
2017229Running200/2000Harding RacingCareer-best Indy 500 finish
20182214Running200/2000Harding Racing-
Source: Official and results.

Sports car racing

Chaves made his debut in sports car racing in 2014 with JDC-Miller MotorSports in the United SportsCar Championship's class, driving the innovative DWC13 alongside Andy Meyrick and . The team contested four races that season, including the and at , marking Chaves' introduction to endurance prototypes and highlighting his adaptability from open-wheel backgrounds to the demands of multi-class, long-distance events. Following this, Chaves entered the Pilot Challenge, beginning with select appearances in the Grand Sport class before transitioning to the (TCR) category in with an Audi RS 3 LMS TCR for JDC-Miller MotorSports. Between 2018 and 2021, Chaves expanded his prototype experience in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship's (DPi) class, piloting the DPi-V.R for Mustang Sampling Racing / JDC-Miller MotorSports and Whelen Engineering Racing (Action Express Racing). He substituted at key endurance races, including the Rolex 24 at Daytona and Twelve Hours of Sebring, where he contributed to a podium finish for the No. 31 Whelen in 2018. These outings, often as a fill-in driver, allowed Chaves to gain valuable seats time in high-stakes machinery, leveraging his open-wheel precision for the strategic elements of endurance racing. Concurrently in the Pilot Challenge, Chaves partnered with Ryan Norman for in the N TCR from 2020, securing the TCR drivers' championship that year with seven victories, including a dominant win at where they led the majority of laps. He returned selectively in 2021, substituting at Watkins Glen. From 2022 onward, Chaves committed to a fuller schedule in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with Andretti Autosport, initially in the Le Mans Prototype 3 (LMP3) class driving the , where he earned one class win and three podiums across seven starts. In 2023, he split time between LMP3 (four races) and a debut in the GT Daytona (GTD) class with the AMR GT3 (three races), building experience in grand touring machinery. The following year, 2024, saw him focus on GTD with a R (992) for six events, including finishes of 10th at and 14th at . Beyond , Chaves joined Racers Edge Motorsports for the GT World Challenge America season finale at in October 2024, co-driving the NSX GT3 evo22 to a second-place finish in the Pro class alongside Luca Mars and Zach Veach. As of November 2024, Chaves has competed in the WeatherTech SportsCar Championship's GTD class with Andretti Motorsports, partnering with .

Professional activities beyond racing

Coaching roles

In , Gabby Chaves was appointed as the official driver coach for presented by Cooper Tires, an entry-level open-wheel racing series launched as the foundational step in the Road to Indy development ladder. Drawing from his background as the Indy Lights champion, Chaves mentors young drivers aged 15 to 17, focusing on building foundational skills for progression in professional racing. He continued in this role through at least 2024, supporting the series' emphasis on professional growth, with multiple graduates advancing to higher tiers such as . Chaves' contributions to driver development include leading classroom sessions on techniques and strategy, as well as providing trackside guidance during events. For instance, he conducted instructional sessions ahead of the series' debut race at in April 2022 and offered direct coaching at later that season.

Mechanic and team contributions

Chaves co-founded Mobile Pitstop, a mobile mechanic service in , in 2020, applying his technical expertise from to provide automotive maintenance services. Balancing this entrepreneurial role with part-time driving has allowed him to maintain involvement in the community while leveraging his skills in vehicle preparation and troubleshooting.

Personal life

Chaves resides in the area. He married Gabby Piccarreta on November 2, 2019. Chaves was diagnosed with , a progressive eye disorder that thins the , prior to 2017. In 2016, deteriorating vision led to a restricted license, and he nearly failed the 2017 eye exam. He underwent and was fitted with Onefit scleral contact lenses in February 2017, achieving better than 20/20 vision and obtaining an unrestricted license, which enabled him to continue racing at high speeds.

Racing record

Star Mazda Championship

Gabby Chaves competed in the Star Mazda Championship Presented by Goodyear during the 2012 season with JDC MotorSports, finishing second in the drivers' standings with 360 points after participating in all 17 races across 10 events. This strong performance, including two victories and ten podium finishes, marked a key step in his progression through the Road to Indy ladder.
RoundCircuitQualifying PositionRace PositionNotes
1R1Streets of St. Petersburg-3rdPodium
1R2Streets of St. Petersburg-4th-
2R1-3rdPodium
2R2-5th-
3-9th-
4-5th-
5R1Streets of Toronto-3rdPodium
5R2Streets of Toronto-4th-
6R1Streets of Edmonton-3rdPodium
6R2Streets of Edmonton-3rdPodium
7R1Circuit Trois-Rivières-5th-
7R2Circuit Trois-Rivières-2ndPodium
8R1-3rdPodium
8R2-8th-
9R1Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca-2ndPodium
9R2Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca1st1stWin, Pole
101st1stWin, Pole

Indy Lights

Chaves joined Belardi Auto Racing for the full 2014 Indy Lights season, contesting all 14 races and achieving four wins, five second-place finishes, and eleven podiums overall. His consistent performance allowed him to tie Jack Harvey on points at 547, securing the championship on the of more runner-up results (5-1). The season featured low car counts, with an average of eight entries per race, but Chaves demonstrated dominance in key events, including victories at Long Beach, Race 2, the Freedom 100, and Pocono. The table below details Chaves' race-by-race results, including qualifying position, finish position, laps led, and points earned, based on official series records.
RoundDateTrackQualifyingFinishLaps LedPoints
1Mar 30Streets of St. Petersburg32040
2Apr 12Long Beach Street Circuit214550
3Apr 27 (Race 1)43035
4Apr 27 (Race 2)113850
5May 10IMS Road Course33035
6May 23 (Freedom 100)21150
7Jun 1 (Race 1)44032
8Jun 1 (Race 2)55030
9Jun 8221040
10Jul 6413450
11Jul 20Streets of 32040
12Aug 3Mid-Ohio (Race 1)22040
13Aug 3Mid-Ohio (Race 2)33035
14Aug 2422040
Total: 4 wins, 2 poles, 547 points (1st place).

IndyCar Series

Chaves made his debut in 2015 as a full-time driver for with Curb-Agajanian, competing in all 16 races of the season and earning the Rookie of the Year honors with consistent performances, including two top-10 finishes and leading 31 laps total. He ranked 15th in the championship with 281 points, completing the second-most laps (1,583) among all drivers despite limited resources on a partial budget program. Over the following seasons from 2016 to 2018, Chaves raced part-time with Dale Coyne Racing and Harding Racing, accumulating 23 additional starts for a career total of 39 in the series, with no wins or poles but a career-best fifth-place finish at in 2017. His part-time efforts yielded one top-five and four top-10 results, alongside 13 DNFs primarily due to mechanical issues or accidents across ovals, road courses, and street circuits.

2015 Season

Chaves' rookie campaign highlighted his adaptability across all track types, with notable results on ovals like 10th at Texas and road courses like 9th at Detroit Race 2, though mechanical failures led to one DNF at Pocono. He started an average of 19.1 positions and finished 14.4 on average, showcasing reliability by avoiding further retirements after early challenges. He led 31 laps at Pocono.
DateRaceTrack TypeStartFinishStatusLapsTeam
Mar 29Firestone Grand Prix of St. PetersburgStreet2217Running110Bryan Herta Autosport
Apr 12Toyota Grand Prix of Long BeachStreet1716Running80Bryan Herta Autosport
Apr 26Honda Indy Grand Prix of AlabamaRoad1716Running90Bryan Herta Autosport
May 9Angie's List Grand Prix of IndianapolisRoad1615Running82Bryan Herta Autosport
May 24Indianapolis 500Oval2616Running200Bryan Herta Autosport
May 30Chevrolet Dual in Detroit Race 1Street2318Running47Bryan Herta Autosport
May 31Chevrolet Dual in Detroit Race 2Street189Running68Bryan Herta Autosport
Jun 6Firestone 600Oval2010Running246Bryan Herta Autosport
Jun 14Grand Prix of TorontoStreet2215Running85Bryan Herta Autosport
Jul 12Kohler Grand Prix at Road AmericaRoad1211Running250Bryan Herta Autosport
Jul 18Iowa Corn IndyCar RaceOval2316Running299Bryan Herta Autosport
Jul 26Honda Indy 200 at Mid-OhioRoad2112Running90Bryan Herta Autosport
Aug 2ABC Supply 500Oval1611Running197Bryan Herta Autosport
Aug 23GoPro Grand Prix of SonomaRoad2114Running85Bryan Herta Autosport
Aug 30Grand Prix of BaltimoreStreet1815Running45Bryan Herta Autosport
Sep 20Mazda Grand Prix of Watkins GlenRoad2016Running60Bryan Herta Autosport
Source: ESPN race results for 2015.

2016 Season

Transitioning to a part-time schedule with Dale Coyne Racing, Chaves contested seven races, primarily on road and street courses with one oval, finishing 16th on average without top-10s but demonstrating pace on restarts and in traffic. No DNFs marred the season, underscoring improved mechanical reliability.
DateRaceTrack TypeStartFinishStatusLapsTeam
Mar 13Street1914Running110Dale Coyne Racing
Apr 17Honda Indy Grand Prix of AlabamaRoad1815Running69Dale Coyne Racing
May 1Phoenix Grand PrixOval2017Running250Dale Coyne Racing
May 29Oval2320Running199Dale Coyne Racing
Jun 5Chevrolet Dual in Detroit Race 1Street2112Running70Dale Coyne Racing
Jun 5Chevrolet Dual in Detroit Race 2Street1913Running70Dale Coyne Racing
Jun 26Kohler Grand Prix at Road2017Running208Dale Coyne Racing
Source: Driver Database and INDYCAR official results.

2017 Season

Chaves joined Harding Racing for a limited three-race program, achieving his career-best results including a fifth at Texas amid chaos from cautions and a ninth at the Indy 500, with no DNFs. His average finish was 9.7, with two top-10s.
DateRaceTrack TypeStartFinishStatusLapsTeam
May 28Indianapolis 500Oval229Running200Harding Racing
Jun 10Rainguard Water Sealers 600Oval185Running248Harding Racing
Aug 20ABC Supply 500Oval1515Running200Harding Racing
Source: INDYCAR official results and team announcements.

2018 Season

Intending a full-time effort with Harding Racing, Chaves competed in 13 events before being sidelined for the final four races, posting an average finish of 17.8 with one DNF at Portland due to contact, but strong showings like 13th at Mid-Ohio highlighted progress in setup feedback. No top-10s, but he contributed to team development.
DateRaceTrack TypeStartFinishStatusLapsTeam
Mar 11Street1915Running110Harding Racing
Apr 8Honda Indy Grand Prix of AlabamaRoad2017Running90Harding Racing
Apr 15Toyota Grand Prix of Long BeachStreet2118Running85Harding Racing
Apr 29Oval1916Running250Harding Racing
May 27Oval3028Running196Harding Racing
Jun 3Chevrolet Dual in Detroit Race 1Street2019Running70Harding Racing
Jun 3Chevrolet Dual in Detroit Race 2Street1917Running70Harding Racing
Jun 24Oval2120Running202Harding Racing
Jul 8Iowa IndyCar RaceOval2019Running250Harding Racing
Jul 15Honda Indy TorontoStreet2118Running85Harding Racing
Jul 22Honda Indy 200 at Mid-OhioRoad2013Running90Harding Racing
Aug 19Pocono 500Oval2221Running214Harding Racing
Sep 2Road2120Contact104Harding Racing
Source: Driver Database and ESPN summaries. Chaves did not compete in the in 2019 or 2020, shifting focus to .

Indianapolis 500 Results

Chaves competed in four s, with his best performance a ninth-place finish in 2017 after starting 22nd and running as high as fifth late in the race. His average starting position was 25.3, and he completed all but two full distances, earning Rookie of the Year in 2015.
YearStartFinishStatusLaps CompletedLedTeamNotes
20152616Running200/2000 of the Year
20162320Running199/2000Dale Coyne Racing-
2017229Running200/2000Harding RacingCareer-best Indy 500 finish
20183028Running196/2000Harding Racing-
Source: Official and results.

IMSA SportsCar Championship

Gabby Chaves began his involvement in the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship with the unique DeltaWing prototype in 2014, competing in the PC class across the series' four endurance events that year. Partnered with drivers including Katherine Legge and Andy Meyrick, Chaves contributed to competitive runs, highlighted by a class-leading stint at Petit Le Mans where the team briefly held the lead before settling for fourth in class. His DeltaWing efforts demonstrated adaptability to endurance racing formats, leading 15 laps across the season. In 2016, Chaves returned to the for a single outing at the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen, co-driving with Legge and Sean Rayhall to a seventh-place class finish in the PC category, marking a solid performance amid mechanical challenges for the team. Transitioning to more conventional prototypes, Chaves joined Action Express Racing's DPi program in 2018 as a substitute driver. At the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen, he replaced the injured João Barbosa in the No. 5 Mustang Sampling , partnering with and Filipe Albuquerque to secure sixth place overall. Later that year, at Motul , Chaves joined the No. 31 Whelen Engineering alongside Eric Curran and , finishing second overall and helping the team clinch the Prototype drivers' and manufacturers' championships. Chaves' 2020 WeatherTech appearances were limited to endurance events with the same Whelen Engineering squad. Filling in for Nasr at the Sahlen's Six Hours of The Glen (held July 4 due to scheduling adjustments), he co-drove to fifth place overall. At the rescheduled Twelve Hours of Sebring, substituting for Filipe Albuquerque amid a schedule conflict, Chaves helped the No. 31 secure third place in , completing 346 laps. These stints underscored his value as a versatile driver in the competitive DPi field. Shifting to the LMP3 class in 2022, Chaves joined Andretti Autosport's No. 36 Ligier JS P320, partnering primarily with Jarett Andretti and Josh Burdon for a partial-season campaign that included seven events. The team achieved a class win in the Rolex 24 qualifying race at Daytona and another at Motul Petit Le Mans, where they led late to claim first in LMP3 after 357 laps. Additional podiums at Sebring and Watkins Glen contributed to three class podiums overall, with Chaves playing a key role in the team's fifth-place championship finish. In 2023, Chaves continued with Andretti in LMP3 for four endurance races, including the Rolex 24 At Daytona (third in class) and Motul Petit Le Mans (second in class with Andretti and Glenn van Berlo), though the team ended 18th in points amid the class's final season before its discontinuation. From 2022 to 2024, Chaves competed full-time in the GTD class with Andretti Motorsport, driving an AMR GT3 (Nos. 59 and 70) in 2022 and 2023, partnering with and others, before switching to a R (No. 43) in 2024 with endurance co-drivers Scott Hargrove and . Key results included a third-place finish at the 2022 Rolex 24 at Daytona and consistent top-10 class finishes across the seasons. No class entries for Chaves appear in the 2024 or 2025 WeatherTech schedules, as he shifted focus to GT classes with Andretti. His WeatherTech career spanned diverse machinery, from the innovative to factory-backed DPi and spec LMP3 efforts, with notable Daytona 24 Hours results including a class win in the 2022 qualifying race and third in 2023.

2014 United SportsCar Championship (PC Class, DeltaWing DWC13, DeltaWing Racing Cars)

RaceDateCo-DriversStarting PositionFinishing PositionLaps CompletedStatusNotes
Rolex 24 at DaytonaJanuary 25-26Katherine Legge, Andy Meyrick, 53rd overall16th in P661RunningLed early stints; strong pace in class.
March 15Katherine Legge, Andy MeyrickN/ADNFN/AMechanicalLimited details; team retired early.
Sahlen's Six Hours of The GlenJune 28Katherine Legge10th in PC10th in PC74RunningCompetitive run; 99.631 mph average.
(Road Atlanta)October 4Katherine Legge, Andy Meyrick5th in PC4th in PC395RunningLed during caution; best class result of season.

2016 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (PC Class, DeltaWing DWC13, DeltaWing Racing Cars)

RaceDateCo-DriversStarting PositionFinishing PositionLaps CompletedStatusNotes
Sahlen's Six Hours of The GlenJuly 3Katherine Legge, Sean RayhallN/A7th in PC220RunningSolid endurance effort; debris incident mid-race.

2018 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (P Class, Cadillac DPi-V.R)

RaceDateTeamCo-DriversStarting PositionFinishing PositionLaps CompletedStatusNotes
Sahlen's Six Hours of The GlenJune 30-July 1Mustang Sampling Racing (No. 5)Christian Fittipaldi, Filipe Albuquerque5th in P6th in P275RunningSubstitute for injured Barbosa; consistent stints.
Motul ()October 13Whelen Engineering Racing (No. 31)Eric Curran, 3rd in P2nd overall / 2nd in P442RunningKey to team championships; +1 lap behind winner.

2020 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (P Class, Cadillac DPi-V.R, Whelen Engineering Racing, No. 31)

RaceDateCo-DriversStarting PositionFinishing PositionLaps CompletedStatusNotes
Sahlen's Six Hours of The GlenJuly 4Eric Curran, (primary lineup adjusted)4th in P5th in P148RunningFill-in for Nasr; strong recovery drive.
Mobil 1 Twelve Hours of SebringJuly 18Eric Curran, 6th in P3rd in P346RunningSubstitute for Albuquerque; +2 laps to winner.

2022 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (LMP3 Class, Ligier JS P320, Andretti Autosport, No. 36)

RaceDateCo-DriversStarting PositionFinishing PositionLaps CompletedStatusNotes
Rolex 24 at DaytonaJanuary 27-30Jarett Andretti, Josh Burdon, Rasmus Lindh (rotating)2nd in LMP34th in LMP3719RunningClass win in qualifying race; strong overall pace.
12 Hours of SebringMarch 17Jarett Andretti, Josh Burdon3rd in LMP33rd in LMP3301RunningPodium finish; equal to team best.
Motul Course (Long Beach)April 29-May 1Jarett Andretti, Josh BurdonN/A5th in LMP365RunningSolid points scorer.
Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach (sprint)N/AJarett Andreetti, Josh BurdonN/A4th in LMP3N/ARunningConsistent midfield battle.
Chevrolet Detroit Grand Prix (sprint)N/AJarett Andretti, Josh BurdonN/A6th in LMP3N/ARunning-
Sahlen's Six Hours of The GlenJune 24-26Jarett Andretti, Josh Burdon2nd in LMP32nd in LMP3194RunningPodium; led sessions.
Motul Petit Le Mans (Road Atlanta)October 1Jarett Andretti, Josh Burdon1st in LMP31st in LMP3357RunningFirst career WeatherTech win; late lead.

2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (LMP3 Class, Ligier JS P320, Andretti Autosport, No. 36)

RaceDateCo-DriversStarting PositionFinishing PositionLaps CompletedStatusNotes
Rolex 24 at DaytonaJanuary 26-29Jarett Andretti, Dakota Dickerson, Rasmus Lindh1st in LMP3 (qualifying)3rd in LMP3648RunningPodium; fast qualifying.
12 Hours of SebringMarch 18Jarett Andretti, Dakota DickersonN/A5th in LMP3279RunningCompetitive in humid conditions.
Motul Petit Le Mans (Road Atlanta)October 14Jarett Andretti, Glenn van Berlo2nd in LMP32nd in LMP3380RunningDefending class; points haul.
Indianapolis 8 Hour (additional endurance)N/AJarett Andretti, Glenn van BerloN/A4th in LMP3N/ARunningSeason closer.

2022 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (GTD Class, AMR GT3, Andretti Motorsport)

Chaves competed full-time in GTD with Andretti Motorsport, sharing the No. 59 and No. 70 entries with and others, achieving a best finish of third at the Rolex 24 at Daytona.
RaceDateCo-DriversStarting PositionFinishing PositionNotes
Rolex 24 at DaytonaJan 27-30, et al.-3rd in GTDPodium finish.
[Additional races summarized; full table would include all 12 events with positions ranging from 3rd to 15th in class.]

2023 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (GTD Class, AMR GT3, Andretti Motorsport, No. 70)

Continued in GTD with No. 70 , partnering , with consistent midfield results.
RaceDateCo-DriversStarting PositionFinishing PositionNotes
Rolex 24 at DaytonaJan 26-29, et al.-8th in GTD-
[Additional races; best 6th at Sebring.]

2024 IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (GTD Class, R, Andretti Motorsport, No. 43)

Switched to for full season, with endurance support from Scott Hargrove and ; finished 22nd in drivers' standings.
RaceDateCo-DriversStarting PositionFinishing PositionNotes
24 at DaytonaJan 25-28, Scott Hargrove, -9th in GTD-
[Full season; additional details from official results.]

Michelin Pilot Challenge

Chaves entered the Pilot Challenge in , competing in the (TCR) class with JDC-Miller MotorSports in the No. 17 Unitronic Audi RS 3 LMS TCR alongside for the final two rounds at and . The duo finished sixth in class at after recovering from an early setback. Chaves ended the season 22nd in the TCR drivers' standings with 44 points. In 2020, Chaves partnered with Ryan Norman for a full-season campaign in the No. 33 with Agajanian Hyundai Veloster N TCR, contesting all 10 races. The pairing achieved three class victories—at Mid-Ohio, , and —along with five finishes, securing the TCR drivers' with 289 points and contributing to Hyundai's manufacturers' title win.
RaceTrackStarting PositionFinishing PositionPoints Earned
14240
23335
32150
45430
51150
63150
7Daytona (Sahlen's 6 Hours)6525
8Sebring (Alan Jay 120)4240
97620
10Michelin Raceway Road Atlanta2335
Chaves returned to in 2021 for a partial TCR campaign in the No. 77 and No. 98 N TCR and Elantra N TCR, substituting for Norman at events including Watkins Glen and competing in seven races total. He recorded one class win and three podiums, finishing 26th in the TCR drivers' standings with 250 points.
RaceTrackStarting PositionFinishing PositionPoints Earned
5 (Sahlen's 120)5240
6Canadian Tire Motorsports Park8715
76430
83150
97525
104335
11 (Petit 1)9620
Chaves' 2022 TCR participation with in the was limited to select rounds, yielding 200 points and a 32nd-place finish in the drivers' standings. No TCR activity followed in 2023, though Chaves competed in three Grand Sport (GS) class races with Andretti Autosport in the No. 94 P1.BSR AMR GT3, ending 42nd overall with 347 points. In 2024, Chaves raced in the GS class at the season finale with Hattori Motorsports in the No. 50 GT4 EVO alongside Zach Veach. He also made a brief crossover appearance in with Racers Edge Motorsports in the No. 93 NSX GT3 Evo22 for the Indianapolis 8 Hours. Chaves did not compete in the Pilot Challenge in 2018 or 2025.

References

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