Feliciano Sergio "Félix" Sabates Jr. (born September 9, 1945) is a Cuban-born former entrepreneur, and philanthropist living in the United States of America.
He is a partner in Chip Ganassi Racing teams, which formerly fielded teams in the NASCAR Cup Series (as Chip Ganassi Racing with Felix Sabates), as well as fielding the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship, World Endurance Championship and IndyCar Series teams. Sabates previously owned SABCO Racing until the end of the 2000 season when Chip Ganassi and Sabates became partners.
Early life
Felix Sabates was born in Camagüey, Cuba. Sabates is the oldest of seven children—three boys (Feliciano "Felix" Jr., Jose, Arturo "Art") and four girls (Silvia, Yoyi, Manty, Rosita)—of Dr. Feliciano Sabates and Maria Tavio.
Sabates initially settled in Boston, Massachusetts with his aunt and uncle, before moving to Columbia, Missouri. In between, Sabates lived in motels and worked several odd jobs, including washing pots and pans at a hospital. At its peak, TSC became the largest, most successful manufacturer's representative company in the United States with over $12 billion in sales. In 2000, Sabates sold TSC to his employees at what was considered a well below market rate to "reward the people that helped him build the business."
Other ventures
Auto racing
In 1987, Sabates became a NASCAR team owner with the purchase of a Hendrick Motorsports research and development team from Charlotte businessman Rick Hendrick, who also owns Chevrolet dealerships.
As of 2021, the team's drivers include Kurt Busch in the No. 1 car and Ross Chastain in the No. 42. In his nearly 30 seasons in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Sabates' teams have 17 wins, 131 top-five and 354 top-10 finishes as well as 40 poles in nearly 1800 starts. His team made the Chase for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series four times (2009, 2015 and 2016 (2)), finished in the top five in points in three different seasons and won the 2010 Daytona 500 and Brickyard 400. The Charlotte Observer obtained a letter from Sabates blaming Charlotte's City Council for losing the game, which was projected to have a $100 million impact on the state. His letter reportedly stated:
"Our Mayor opened a can of worms, who knows why? One Our city council is the one to blame for our losing the NBA All Star game, none of this would have happened if not for a very few minority forcing our supposed city leaders into creating a problem that never really existed, there will always be another election, they better pray a very few can get them re-elected.
What is wrong with a person using a bathroom provided for the sex were born with, if you want to change your gender so be it, we are a free county, but don't force 8 years old children to be exposed to having to share bathroom facilities with people that don't share the organs they were with, this is plain wrong, this could cause irreparable damages to a that don't understand why they have to see what God did not mean for them to witness, we have some very confused business as well as political humans that frankly have made this a political issue rather moral issues, SHAME ON THEM."
Civic leader
In addition to his successes in sports, Sabates also focuses much attention on civic activities. Sabates has served on the board of directors for Carolinas Health Care Systems for the past 27 years. He also serves on the board of directors for the University of North Carolina at Charlotte, the Applica Corporation, Simpson Products, the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce and he also was the co-chair of a North Carolina Institute of Medicine Task Force on Latino Health. Additionally Sabates was appointed to two terms on the North Carolina Banking Commission. In fact, he has been appointed to commissions by three different North Carolina governors, Jim Martin (R), Mike Easley (D) and most recently by Governor Pat McCrory (R) to vice chairman of the Oversight committee of the Airport Authority of North Carolina which oversees the Charlotte airport, the sixth busiest in the world.
Philanthropist
Sabates is also well known for his many philanthropic contributions and has received several honors and awards for his work. Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina has named its dining hall after him, Elon College and UNC Charlotte bestowed upon him Honorary Doctorate degrees, Sabates was also appointed by Governor Jim Martin as a commissioner of the North Carolina State Banking Commission. <!--the first Cuban to be appointed to such a position in North Carolina.--> Sabates did not support Republican candidate Donald Trump's campaigns for president in 2016 and 2020.
Personal life
Sabates has three children and six grandchildren. His daughter Mimi is married to former NHRA driver Doug Herbert.
On August 2, 2014, Sabates' 18-year-old grandson Feliciano "Chany Boy" Sabates IV was fatally shot at a party in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida.