By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
The win at Texas Motor Speedway was an emotional one for Joe Shear Jr., crew chief for Johnny Sauter.
In late December 2017, Shear’s wife, Chandra, passed away at the age of 43. The win by Sauter was a special, yet emotional win for the crew chief. With his wife’s family being from the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex area, coming to the speedway is always special.
“She and her family always came out here. This has always been a big race for me and still is. I am so proud to win another one. It’s hard not to get emotional, but it is very special. She was definitely looking over us,” Shear said post-race.
What keeps Shear going despite the loss? It is the competitive nature that is in him, the emotions of winning the race, and it is something that he knows his wife would want him to do.
“I have been doing this all my life. I am very competitive. I like to win. My wife was right beside me all the time. She was into racing just as much or more than I was. This is what she would have wanted to do,” Shear continued.
With four wins in the first eight races of the season, Shear accredited the victories this season to his late wife.
“She’s up there, coaching me, and telling me what to do. She’s a big follower and believer in me and this team. With the year that we are having, I look up and thank her all the time.”