The CARS Tour Car and Van Series doubleheader, originally scheduled to happen in May through the NASCAR All-Star Race Weekend, has been postponed as a result of inclement weather.
Both races might be held Saturday night on the track, and the 42-car, 125-lap Late Model Stock major event features nearly half of the sphere comprised of current or former NASCAR racers.
Entries for the race include former Cup champion and current television analyst Kevin Harvick, current Cup Series driver Josh Berry, Xfinity Series regulars Brandon Jones and Sammy Smith and Truck Series rookie Layne Riggs.
Kevin Harvick, Stewart-Haas Racing, Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford Mustang
Photo: Gavin Baker / NKP / Motorsports images
They join CARS Tour title contenders Connor Hall, Brent Crews and Brenden “Butterbean” Queen.
With just six events remaining within the LMS division before the season finale on Oct. 19 in North Wilkesboro, Hall leads the standings, ahead of Crews and last 12 months’s event winner, Queen.
“I never try to dwell on it, but it’s cool to see the bigger names in the Late Model race, and last year knowing I won and beat them all was really, really special,” Queen said.
“We go out there, put on a helmet and do our job. You want to beat the best, and we love racing the best. To be the best, you have to beat the best. We love it when they come out and run with us because it puts a bigger spotlight on our series.”
Brenden Queen, TRICON Garage, Best Toyota Tundra Repair Company
Photo: Nigel Kinrade / NKP / Motorsports images
Last 12 months, 4 former NASCAR drivers – Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton, Harvick and Justin Marks – joined forces to take over the CARS Tour.
Harvick also owns a team that competes frequently within the series, but said he plans to give attention to racing “for fun.” He has yet one more start scheduled this season in a Late Model.
“Obviously we want to do well, the best we can, but it doesn’t matter if I finish first or last, when I go out, the important thing is that I’m part of the event, enjoying it, having fun and competing on the weekends, which helps me understand this series,” Harvick said.
“So I want to have fun, be part of the event, and meet the people who put on the shows every week.”
Other famous names
Other drivers with NASCAR experience competing within the late model race included Carson Kvapil, Kaden Honeycutt, Connor Mosack, Connor Jones, Connor Zilisch and Tate Fogleman.
Hall, the present CARS Tour LMS Series leader, will make his Truck Series debut Aug. 10 at Richmond (Va.), driving the No. 91 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet.
