Where Are the Former CARS Tour Champions? A Deep Dive into the CARS Tour's Legacy and Future Stars
The CARS Tour, a powerhouse in the world of late model stock car racing, is set to crown its 11th champion this Saturday at North Wilkesboro Speedway. With a rich history and a bright future, the tour has produced some of the most talented drivers in the sport. But what happens to these champions once they've achieved the pinnacle of success? Let's take a closer look at the journeys of some of the tour's most notable champions and explore their paths to the top and beyond.
The Rising Stars: Brenden Queen and Kaden Honeycutt
Brenden Queen, known as 'Butterbean', burst onto the scene in 2022, winning the South Carolina 400 in his first start with Lee Pulliam Performance. This marked the beginning of his rise from a Langley Speedway regular to a national star. Queen dominated the CARS Tour in 2023 and 2024, narrowly missing the 2023 title but storming back to win in 2024 with eight top-five finishes. He's now a full-time driver in the ARCA Menards Series with Pinnacle Racing Group, picking up six wins in 2025, including one at Daytona International Speedway. Queen's success has led to a NASCAR Xfinity Series debut with Kaulig Racing and a full-time spot in Kaulig's new RAM NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program for 2026.
Kaden Honeycutt, a CARS Tour veteran, won the 2024 Pro Late Model championship by a narrow margin over Spencer Davis. He's had a successful part-time schedule in the Truck Series with Niece Motorsports, earning a full-time spot for 2025. Honeycutt's talent has also led to a move to Halmar Friesen Racing, where he's fighting for a spot in the Championship 4. The future looks bright for Honeycutt, with rumors of a potential move to TRICON Garage for 2026.
The Veterans: Carson Kvapil and Caden Kvapil
Carson Kvapil, the son of former Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil, built his own legacy at JR Motorsports. He earned a full-time ride through hard work and a Super Late Model championship in 2021. Carson is one of the most successful drivers in the tour's history, with 12 wins in full-time efforts and a tie at second all-time on the Tour wins list. He's now racing full-time for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series in 2025, currently in the Round of 8.
Caden Kvapil, Carson's younger brother, has also found success on the CARS Tour. He won the Pro Late Model title in 2023, sweeping the series titles with Carson. Caden has bounced around between Pro Late Model and Super Late Models in 2024 before moving to Late Model Stock competition in 2025. With a part-time schedule for JR Motorsports, he's picked up three top 10s so far ahead of North Wilkesboro. The Kvapil brothers' relationship with JR Motorsports suggests Caden could follow in his brother's footsteps as the next driver of the No. 8 in 2026.
The Legends: Bobby McCarty and Jared Fryar
Bobby McCarty, a three-time champion (2018, 2019, 2021), is a legend in the CARS Tour. He's known for his fair play and dedication to Late Model Stock racing. McCarty has just a single NASCAR start, 31st at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2022. He's now stepped away from the tour to start his own team, McCarty Motorsports, competing at the NASCAR Regional level.
Jared Fryar, the 2020 Late Model Stock champion, had a lone CARS championship in 2020. Despite his success in 2025, Fryar's championship in 2020 was a testament to his talent. He's a late model guy through and through, and his career is on the rise.
The Early Pioneers: Deac McCaskill and Brayton Haws
Deac McCaskill, one of the founding members of the CARS Tour, won his first and only championship in 2016. He's scaled back from full-time racing but remains a key figure in the tour's early days. Brayton Haws, the inaugural Late Model Stock champion in 2015, hasn't raced in the CARS Tour since, but his legacy lives on as the first champion of a series that has become a powerhouse in asphalt late model racing.
The Battle for the Future: Ben Maier and Landen Lewis
As the CARS Tour looks to the future, Ben Maier and Landen Lewis are poised to make their mark. Maier has the Pro Late Model championship all but locked up, while Lewis is in a close battle for the LMSC title with Connor Hall. The tour's future champions may be among these rising stars, ready to take their place among the legends.
