Where Are the Former CARS Tour Champions? A Deep Dive into the CARS Tour's Legacy Drivers
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 competitive field, the tour has produced some of the sport's brightest stars. But what happens to these champions once they hang up their helmet? Let's take a closer look at the journeys of some of the CARS Tour's most notable champions and where they are now.
Brenden Queen: Rising Star to NASCAR Xfinity Series Contender
Brenden Queen, known as 'Butterbean' to fans, 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 ran full-time with the CARS Tour in 2023 and 2024, narrowly missing the 2023 title by five points. In 2024, he stormed back to win the championship with eight top-five finishes, showcasing his resilience and skill. Queen's success in the CARS Tour led him to a full-time spot in the ARCA Menards Series with Pinnacle Racing Group, where he dominated as a rookie, winning six races and the series championship. Queen's success continued as he made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut with Kaulig Racing, and he's now set to be a full-time driver for Kaulig's new RAM NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series program in 2026.
Kaden Honeycutt: Pro Late Model Champion and Truck Series Contender
Kaden Honeycutt, a veteran of the CARS Tour, claimed the 2024 Pro Late Model championship by a narrow margin over Spencer Davis. Honeycutt's success in the CARS Tour led him to a part-time schedule in the Truck Series with Niece Motorsports, where he earned a full-time spot for 2025. However, he's now driving for Halmar Friesen Racing, filling in for the injured Stewart Friesen, and is fighting for a spot in the Championship 4. Rumors suggest he might join TRICON Garage for 2026, but nothing is official yet.
Carson Kvapil: CARS Tour Success and Xfinity Series Contender
Carson Kvapil, the son of former Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil, built his own legacy at JR Motorsports. He started as a shop guy and earned a full-time ride, becoming one of the most successful drivers in the Tour's history. In 2022 and 2023, he won 12 races, tying him for second all-time. In 2024, he made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut, finishing fourth at Martinsville. He's currently in the Xfinity Series Round of 8, battling for a spot in the Championship 4.
Caden Kvapil: Pro Late Model Champion and Future JR Motorsports Driver?
Caden Kvapil, Carson's younger brother, won the 2023 Pro Late Model championship, sweeping the series titles with his brother. In 2024, he bounced around between Pro Late Model and Super Late Models before moving to Late Model Stock competition in 2025. He's running a part-time schedule for JR Motorsports, picking up three top 10s so far. With his brother's relationship with the team and the pending departure of Hall, Caden might follow in his brother's footsteps as the next driver of the JR Motorsports No. 8 in 2026.
Luke Fenhaus: ARCA and Truck Series Success
Luke Fenhaus, a Wisconsin native, won the inaugural CARS Pro Late Model championship in 2022. He moved to the ARCA Menards Series East in 2023, winning two races and finishing second in the championship. This season, Fenhaus has started 11 races in the Craftsman Truck Series for ThorSport Racing, including a third-place finish at Michigan International Speedway.
Bobby McCarty: Three-Time CARS Tour Champion
Bobby McCarty, the only three-time champion in series history, dominated the Late Model Stock division. He claimed his titles driving the Nelson Motorsports No. 22 for Barry Nelson. McCarty's success in the CARS Tour led him to a single NASCAR start in 2022, but he's now stepped away from the tour to start his own team, McCarty Motorsports, competing at the NASCAR Regional level.
Jared Fryar: CARS Late Model Stock Champion and 2025 Contender
Jared Fryar, a late model guy through and through, won the 2020 CARS Late Model Stock championship. In 2025, he's having a career year, already claiming three CARS LMSC races, a testament to his enduring success in the sport.
Josh Berry: CARS Tour Pioneer and NASCAR Xfinity Series Contender
Josh Berry, the man who paved the way for CARS Tour success, won his lone championship in 2017. He used his CARS success to springboard his career, becoming the all-time wins leader of the CARS Tour. Berry's success led him to the NASCAR Xfinity Series, where he's had a successful run, moving to Wood Brothers Racing in 2025.
Deac McCaskill: Founding Member and Early Champion
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, carrying the banner for the early members.
Brayton Haws: Inaugural Champion and Mystery
Brayton Haws, the inaugural Late Model Stock car champion, won the title in 2015 but hasn't made much noise since. The Haws Motorsports Facebook page suggests he might still be racing dirt modified, but the team's activity suggests otherwise.
As the CARS Tour continues to evolve, the legacy of its champions remains strong. Ben Maier and Landen Lewis are now in the mix, aiming to join the list of champions. The tour's future is bright, with a new generation of drivers ready to take on the challenge.
