This Saturday night at North Wilkesboro Speedway, the zMAX CARS Tour will crown its latest Late Model Stock car champion, marking the end of another thrilling season in the nation’s most competitive late model series. But here’s the real question: What happens to these champions after they claim the title? Do they fade into obscurity, or do they use it as a launching pad to greater heights? Let’s dive into the stories of former CARS Tour champions and find out where they are now—some of their journeys might surprise you.
Since its inception in 2015, the CARS Tour has been a breeding ground for some of the country’s top late model racers. While some have carved out careers in late model racing, others have climbed the ladder to higher levels of motorsports. In 11 seasons, the Tour has crowned seven Late Model Stock champions, with an eighth set to join their ranks this weekend in Wilkes County. Saturday also marks the end of the fourth season for the CARS Pro Late Models, where another champion will be crowned.
But here’s where it gets controversial: Is the CARS Tour truly a stepping stone to bigger things, or is it a destination in itself? Let’s explore the paths of these champions and let you decide.
Ben Maier is all but guaranteed to lock up the Pro Late Model championship, while the Late Model Stock battle is a nail-biter. Landen Lewis holds a slim 12-point lead over Connor Hall, with Kade Brown still mathematically in the running. Hall, no stranger to this position, knows what’s at stake. But what does becoming a CARS champion really mean for a driver’s career? To answer that, let’s look back at the champions who came before.
Brenden Queen (2024 Late Model Stock Champion)
Known as ‘Butterbean,’ Queen burst onto the scene in 2022, winning the South Carolina 400 in his first start with Lee Pulliam Performance. His rise from Langley Speedway regular to national star has been nothing short of remarkable. After narrowly missing the 2023 title by five points, Queen dominated in 2024, securing the championship with eight top-five finishes. This season, he’s been a force in the ARCA Menards Series, winning six races—including one at Daytona—and the series championship. Queen also made his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut with Kaulig Racing and will drive full-time for Kaulig’s new Truck Series program in 2026. But is this the norm, or the exception?
Kaden Honeycutt (2024 Pro Late Model Champion)
Honeycutt’s 2024 championship was a hard-fought battle, narrowly edging out Spencer Davis. After nearly winning the Late Model Stock title in 2021, he switched to Pro Late Models and secured three wins. His success earned him a full-time Truck Series ride with Niece Motorsports in 2025, though he’s since moved to Halmar Friesen Racing. But here’s the twist: Honeycutt’s future beyond 2025 is uncertain, with rumors linking him to TRICON Garage. Does this reflect the instability of racing careers, or the opportunities that come with success?
Carson Kvapil (2022, 2023 Late Model Stock Champion)
The son of former Truck Series champion Travis Kvapil, Carson built his legacy at JR Motorsports. With 12 wins in the CARS Tour, he’s one of its most successful drivers. His dominance in 2022 and 2023 led to a NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in 2024, where he finished fourth at Martinsville. Shortly after, he secured a full-time Xfinity Series ride with JR Motorsports for 2025. But is this a testament to talent, or the power of connections?
Caden Kvapil (2023 Pro Late Model Champion)
Carson’s younger brother, Caden, won the 2023 Pro Late Model title after a season-long battle with Katie Hettinger. In 2024, he transitioned to Late Model Stock racing and ran part-time for JR Motorsports. With Hall’s pending departure, could Caden follow in his brother’s footsteps? Is this a story of family legacy, or individual merit?
Luke Fenhaus (2022 Pro Late Model Champion)
Fenhaus won the inaugural Pro Late Model championship in 2022 without a single race win, relying instead on consistency. He moved to the ARCA Menards Series East in 2023, winning two races and finishing second in the championship. This season, he’s raced in the Craftsman Truck Series for ThorSport Racing, with a third-place finish at Michigan. But does consistency trump winning in the long run?
Bobby McCarty (2018, 2019, 2021 Late Model Stock Champion)
The only three-time champion in series history, McCarty is a late model legend. With 12 wins, he’s tied for second all-time in series history. Unlike others, McCarty has dedicated his career to Late Model Stock racing, with just one NASCAR start. He recently stepped away from the CARS Tour to start his own team, McCarty Motorsports. Is this a missed opportunity, or a testament to passion?
Jared Fryar (2020 Late Model Stock Champion)
Fryar’s 2020 championship was one of the most exciting in Tour history, beating Layne Riggs and Corey Heim by a single point. Like McCarty, Fryar is a late model specialist, enjoying a career year in 2025 with three CARS LMSC wins. But does staying in late models limit a driver’s potential?
Josh Berry (2017 Late Model Stock Champion)
Berry’s 2017 championship was just the beginning. With 22 CARS Tour wins, he’s the all-time leader. His success led to a full-time Cup Series ride with Stewart-Haas Racing in 2024, and he’s since moved to Wood Brothers Racing, winning at Las Vegas in 2025. Is Berry the rule, or the exception?
Deac McCaskill (2016 Late Model Stock Champion)
A founding member of the CARS Tour, McCaskill won the 2016 title after narrowly missing in 2015. With 10 wins, he’s fourth all-time in series history. McCaskill has scaled back from full-time racing, competing part-time at local tracks. Does this reflect the natural progression of a racing career, or missed opportunities?
Brayton Haws (2015 Late Model Stock Champion)
The inaugural champion, Haws won the 2015 title but never raced in the CARS Tour again. His racing career has been relatively quiet since, though he may still be racing dirt modifieds. Is this a cautionary tale, or simply a different path?
As Maier and Hall prepare to join this list, the question remains: What does a CARS Tour championship truly mean for a driver’s future? Is it a guaranteed ticket to the big leagues, or a badge of honor in a fiercely competitive series? What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below—let’s spark a debate!
