Thursday, May 24, 2012

05/24 Host: Robert Conrad, Guest: Chad McQueen!


Chadwick Steven "Chad" McQueen (born December 28, 1960) is an American actor, film producer, martial artist and race car driver. He was born in Los Angeles, California to American actor Steve McQueen and Filipino actress Neile Adams.

Personal life
McQueen was married to Stacey Toten from 1987 to 1990. Together they had one son, actor Steven R. McQueen, who is currently playing the role of Jeremy Gilbert in the tv series The Vampire Diaries. Chad is also the stepbrother of producer and screenwriter Josh Evans (through his father's marriage to Ali MacGraw).

Film
McQueen has worked as a film actor for some time, appearing as Dutch in The Karate Kid and "The Karate Kid Part II", and many other roles including a role in the 1995 film New York Cop with Mira Sorvino and in the action films "Red Line" and Death Ring. He has also worked as a producer, winning a Telly Award for his documentary Filming at Speed. He has appeared on numerous television programs related to motorsports, including Hot Rod TV and Celebrity Rides.

Racing career
McQueen's racing career began early as he piloted a Porsche 917 from his father's lap while shooting the film Le Mans. He teamed with Belgian racing legend Jacky Ickx and his daughter Vanina, piloting a trio of Porsche 959s restored by Porsche Motorsports for the 2004 Goodwood event.
McQueen has competed in several types of racing from Motocross to the Baja 1000. At age 6, he won his class in the World Mini Grand Prix. In 2004, he qualified for the SCCA Runoffs, winning multiple events. Racing for Westernesse Racing, he finished 4th.
In January 2006, he was seriously injured (suffering a broken lower left leg, as well as a pair of fractures to his vertebrae and multiple rib fractures) in an accident at the Daytona International Speedway while practicing for the 24 Hours of Daytona Sports Car race. McQueen now says that his driving days are over. He returned to Daytona during the 2007 Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona race to thank the medics and track workers who he says saved his life.[1]
In November 2007, he returned to the Daytona International Speedway and got behind the wheel of the Brumos 1975 Ecurie Escargot RSR, driving it in the exhibitions at the Rennsport Reunion III.
In January 2010, he started McQueen Racing LLC, a company which partners with leaders in the motorcycle and custom car industries to create limited edition high performance motorcycles and automobile transbrakes.