Eddie Cheever III

As the son of former Formula 1 driver, Eddie Cheever III did not have much doubt about choosing what will be his main occupation. He never reached heights as his father but he gained some success in different racing disciplines, including formulas, stock car racing and GT racing. Most recently, he was the Italian GT champion in 2016.

Eddie Cheever

Early career in karting and lower tiers of formula racing

Edward Mackay ’Eddie’ Cheever III was born in June  1993 in Rome, so he races under the Italian flag. As a boy Eddie raced in karting competitions across Italy and Europe. Over the years he achieved some success before switching to single-seaters in 2009, following the footsteps of his father Eddie Cheever.

Cheever Jr signed with Jenzer Motorsport to race in Italian and Swiss Formula Renault 2.0 Series. The results weren’t impressive. Eddie failed to score a single podium finish out of 20 races so he finished 14th and 11th in the standings respectively. With the same team, Cheever in 2010 competed in the Italian Formula Abarth and the results were somewhat better. He scored one podium and moved up to the 10th position in the standings.

Eddie Cheever III in 2012

Italian Formula 3 runner-up

A move to the Italian Formula 3 Championship in 2011 was a good opportunity for the young driver to show what he has. It was obvious that he continuously progressing. As a Lucidi Motors' pilot, Cheever scored podiums in three out of 16 races but that was enough just for the 9th place at the end of the season.

He stayed in the series for another year but this time as a member of Prema Powerteam, one of the best squads in lower categories of formula racing. Eddie did really well and finished the season as a runner-up to Riccardo Agostini. Cheever scored four wins and numerous podiums and at the end of the year was awarded test drive with Ferrari F1 team at Vallelunga.

After fine 2012 season Cheever stayed with Prema Powerteam and raced in the FIA Formula 3 European Championship. Unfortunately, he wasn’t able to emulate results from the previous campaign and took the 13th position in the championship overall standings. Soon it turned out that was his last year in single-seaters.

Eddie Cheever III celebrates his maiden NASCAR victory

Short and successful career in European NASCAR

After it turned out that his dream to become the driver in Formula 1 became unrealistic, Cheever switched to stock car racing. In 2014 he drove in the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series and did well. Eddie finished third in the series after winning three out of 12 races and having other two podiums. He won the Jerome Sarran Trophy, rewarding the highest placed racer aged 25 or less, and also was awarded as a driver with the most pole positions. The same year Eddie also made a one-off appearance in the Euro V8 Series.

The following season in the European NASCAR series also was pretty good after Cheever won one race before finishing 5th in the standings. The same year he appeared as a guest in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series what was an attempt to make a breakthrough in the United States.

In 2016, Cheever debuted in GT racing with Ferrari and won the Italian championship title

Championship title in first GT racing season

In 2016, Eddie left stock car racing and debuted in the sports car racing. The debut was perfect as he became a champion of the Italian GT3 Championship, together with Federico Leo. Driving a Ferrari 458 Italia, prepared by Scuderia Baldini 27, Cheever won three out of 13 races, had a total of 10 podium finishes, and also scored 5 pole positions, as well as 4 fastest laps.

In 2017, the Rome-born racer was trying to defend his crown in the Italian GT3 Championship, scoring two wins and finishing fifth in the points. His partner was Matteo Malucelli. Outside Italy, Eddie raced with Scuderia Praha in the 24h Series round at Circuit Paul Ricard and finished 3rd, driving alongside Jiri Pisarik, Josef Kral, and Matteo Malucelli.

Eddie Cheever III in 2018

Stepping up to the world's scene in 2018

In 2018, Eddie stepped up to the world racing scene, joining MR Racing in the FIA World Endurance Championship. He is sharing the #70 Ferrari 488 GTE with veteran Olivier Beretta and Japanese racer Motoaki Ishikawa.

Before the FIA WEC season started, Eddie made a guest appearance in the IMSA SportsCar Championship, driving the #90 Cadillac DPi for Spirit of Daytona Racing at Daytona and Sebring.