The CARS Tour announced it has 37 late model stock cars (LMSC) and teams entered for its season opener at New River All American Speedway.
The entry list for the LMSC division includes:
- #00 Chase Burrow
- #01 Camden Gullie
- #03 Lanie Buice
- #04 Ronnie Bassett Jr.
- #08 Deac McCaskill
- #08H Carson Haislip
- #1 Andrew Grady
- #1J Clay Jones
- #2 Brandon Pierce
- #2W Ryan Wilson
- #4 Kade Brown
- #4E Parker Eatmon
- #4S Donovan Strauss
- #6 Bobby McCarty
- #7 Tristan McKee
- #8 Caden Kvapil
- #8F Tate Fogleman
- #11 Buddy Isles Jr.
- #14 Jared Fryar
- #15 Ryan Millington
- #16 Chad McCumbee
- #17 Kaden Honeycutt
- #18 Max Reaves
- #22 Carson Loftin
- #28 Landon S. Huffman
- #29 Landen Lewis
- #40 Taylor Satterfield
- #44 Conner Jones
- #47 Bryce Applegate
- #47M Ryley Music
- #54 Michael Fose
- #57 Landon Huffman
- #71 Aaron Donnelly
- #71B Jake Bollman
- #81 Mini Tyrrell
- #88 Connor Hall
- #88B Doug Barnes Jr.
The field looks a bit different compared to last year with past champions Brenden “Butterbean” Queen and Carson Kvapil moving on to the ARCA and Xfinity Series respectively. Filling Butterbean’s ride at Lee Pulliam Performance is Lanie Buice, who told the CARS Tour that she’s “super excited” for the upcoming season and described Lee Pulliam Performance as “definitely one of the best of the best.”
She’s also optimistic about her chances at New River saying, “Brenden has a great record there and has won quite a few races. It’s cool getting to go there with the same crew chief that did it with him before. I’ve been taught well on how to save tires and be ready for the end of the race, so this is an opportunity to learn a ton and continue to develop.”
Lee Pulliam Performance has also added Doug Barnes Jr. to the stable. Barnes will compete all year instead of the rotating cast of Toyota development drivers that piloted the No. 55 car in previous years.
While Carson Kvapil might have moved up to the Xfinity Series with JR. Motorsports, his brother Caden Kvapil will pilot a JR Motorsports car. He told the CARS Tour, “It’s really special to run this car. e did good at Florence [Motor Speedway] for the Icebreaker and ended up finishing second. My brother has run New River a couple of times with the same car I’m driving. We have a good notebook and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Joining Kvapil at JR Motorsports this year is two-time reigning NASCAR Weekly Series Champion Connor Hall. Hall was runner up in the CARS Tour last year with Nelson Motorsports. Filling Hall’s seat at Nelson Motorsports is modified phenom Carson Loftin, who finished second in the SMART Modified Tour last year, but led the tour in wins with 5.
Other changes include Kade Brown joining R&S Race Cars after a disappointing season with Matt Piercy Racing where he finished 11th in points. Landon Huffman will return to the tour full time. He joins Carrol Speedshop and will be racing their No. 57.
Over at Kevin Harvick Inc. Brent Crews moved on to the ARCA and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Landen Lewis, who raced part time in the No. 62 Kevin Harvick Inc. car will fill Crews’ spot for a full season. Landon S. Huffman will take on a full season of CARS Tour racing as well. He pilots the Pinnacle Racing Group Chevrolet that he split duties with Connor Zilisch last year.
While there certainly have been a lot of changes there is still some consistency. Mini Tyrell returns in his family-owned car as does Ryan Millington. Connor Jones also returns with Mike Darne Racing and Aaron Donnelly resumes duties with Hettinger Racing. He took over the ride last year after Katie Hettinger stepped aside. Chase Burrow also returns to the tour. He will be competing with Sellers Racing.
CARS Tour Racing at New River All American Speedway begins at 7:30 PM for a 100-lap Pro Late Model race. The LMSC division’s 125-lap feature is expected to begin around 8:30 PM. If you cannot make it to the track the race will be broadcast on FloRacing.
NEXT: After Leaving R&S Race Cars, Bobby McCarty Starts His Own Team