From Racing To Reform: The Lessons Of The Track Fuel Sara Santerre’s Fight For The Incarcerated

Story By Penny Aicardi – Special To RaceDayCT

Sara Santerre may be heading into investigative journalism this summer, but she comes from racing royalty. Sara, the daughter of four-time NASCAR Busch North Series champion, Andy Santerre, is now charting her own course in a different kind of high-stakes arena: America’s justice system. Her drive to uncover truth and advocate for the incarcerated echoes the same determination her father brought to the racetrack. And, like her father, she’s not doing it alone. Sara has taken on an internship with Chris Boals, also a familiar face from the Busch North Series garage.

Chris Boals is remembered for his dedication to helping develop NASCAR’s regional racing infrastructure. His efforts have provided a platform for emerging talent and have strengthened the connection between local racing and the broader NASCAR organization. Given his longstanding commitment to building strong, supportive systems, it’s no surprise he went on to develop the Family Justice Support Alliance, an advocacy group that helps people navigate the complicated justice system.

“My daughter, Amanda, was involved in a car accident in April of 2022, and the motorcyclist was killed,” Boals explained. “She was charged with DUI homicide. And we started a long journey through the justice system, not really knowing what we were doing or what we were encountering.”

“It’s got a number of bureaucracies and a number of agencies and a number of steps that you have to go through,” Boals continued. “I realized that most people don’t understand it, probably have never encountered it. Hopefully, will never have to encounter it. But if they do, I wanted to have the information out there to help people.”

Sara Santerre, a senior criminal justice student at Saint Joseph’s College in Standish, Maine, has joined the  organization as a summer intern. As part of her internship, Sara will participate in field experiences that offer her a direct and human-centered view of the criminal justice system. This experience will go beyond the statistics and textbooks. She will report her observations and insights in a series of written pieces published on the FJSA website throughout the summer.

“Chris Boals and his willingness to work with me have meant so much I cannot adequately put it into words. Chris swooped in with an amazing opportunity (for an internship)! We chatted for hours about the system, his mission, why he started the Family Justice Support Alliance, my studies, etc. We brainstormed ideas for the internship and settled on combining my love of writing with my goal of obtaining more knowledge and experience by observing the criminal justice system up close,” Sara said.

“Chris and his wife Chrissy invited me to stay with them so I could meet Amanda, tour a reentry home, and observe a court session,” continued Sara. “He is an incredibly determined individual who doesn’t stop until he’s satisfied, a trait I am beyond impressed and inspired by. I’m absolutely honored that he included me in the Family Justice Support Alliance journey, and I couldn’t be more grateful for him and for this opportunity.”

This partnership highlights how the values we learn in motorsports translate to life beyond the track. The Busch North was a family where the memories and relationships that were built were the real trophies. Many of us who worked in the series still carry that sense of loyalty, and this story reflects that continuity. That’s the motorsports community in action: looking out for one another, building the next generation, and applying our shared roots to bigger missions.

“My parents taught me that competition is healthy when people prioritize good sportsmanship,” Sara explained. “My dad is humble about his success and gives many others credit for his accomplishments. I learned that supporting others in all aspects, even at your loss, shows good character. Competition can’t exist without two sides, so be respectful when they win and expect the same from the other side when you win. I’ve internalized this sentiment as fairness and justice. I can admit when I’m wrong, even when it detriments me, because it’s the honest and right thing to do. Winning by cheating isn’t a real win. Winning by lying isn’t a real win. Taking all the credit isn’t realistic. This has developed further into an interest in ethics and justice. I’m deeply concerned with doing what action I believe in my heart to be right and good in every aspect of my life, because that’s how my parents raised me to be. This “good sportsmanship” mentality has helped me analyze my behavior and broaden it to other areas like friendship, relationships, and academics. It’s a major reason why I became interested in criminal justice.”

And Sara has a pretty big mission this summer.

At first glance, the world of stock car racing and the work of advocacy might seem worlds apart, however they share more in common than you’d think. Both are built on the values of perseverance, fairness, and community. In NASCAR, drivers rely on a dedicated team and a structured set of rules to compete on a level playing field. Similarly, advocacy work is about ensuring people have the support, resources, and guidance they need to get through it. Advocacy is about leveling the playing field. Whether on the track or in the courtroom, success often comes down to access, teamwork, and the drive to keep pushing forward: principles that Chris Boals has carried with him from racing to reform.

“The one thing I would want people to know is that first of all you have to face the situation and deal with it. Don’t run and hide,” said Boals. “Step up and don’t be afraid of people who will criticize you. If they do they are not the kind of people you want around you anyway. Get out and advocate for whoever it is: whether they are right or wrong, guilty or not guilty. You still love them. You deal with the mistake,” said Boals. “Don’t give up and don’t be afraid to reach out and get help.”

“If people reach out to me – obviously, I’m not an attorney or mental health specialist – but I know the people to put them in touch with. On our website, there is a tab called process and that outlines 10 or 12 steps that you need to take. All of those steps are different depending on where you are in the process, but they can reach out and we will help them at whatever point they are.”

It’s in this spirit of support, resilience, and showing up for one another that Sara Santerre steps into her role with the Family Justice Support Alliance.

Much like her father once leaned on a crew to chase his success, Sara is joining a team committed to navigating the complexities of the justice system. And she is doing this with compassion and an eagerness to learn. Her work this summer will put her in direct contact with real people, real cases, and real consequences. It’s a hands-on education, fueled by heart and a deep respect for the truth. It’s an experience that mirrors the lessons she grew up watching play out at the racetrack: know your team, trust your instincts, and never back down from a challenge.

“I’ve been most surprised by the positivity that’s been found within undesirable situations. Chris Boals started the Family Justice Support Alliance because, after his daughter Amanda’s arrest, she said, “Something good has to come from this.” During my court observations (which you can read shortly), I sat in on a drug court session and saw how much love and support filled that room. It’s inspiring to see people make the best of a bad situation when it would be just as easy to fall into the pit of despair. There is so much power in that attitude and the hope it promotes,” Sara said. “I witnessed the pretrial session for a boy my age who is facing a minimum sentence of 15 years. It was a difficult realization knowing that, in the best-case scenario, he will spend his twenties in prison. Comparing our positions was eye-opening and made me realize how lucky I am to have such wonderful relationships and opportunities. It made me realize that I want to be the love and support that so many are missing when navigating the criminal justice system. I want to defend others and be in their corner when nobody else is.”

Sara’s articles will appear on the organization’s website at www.familyjusticesupportalliance.com and you can follow them on Facebook and X.