Strap in for a front-row seat to my moonshot: competing in a nationally televised stock car race.
Hi, I’m Cam. You might recognize me as the guy who has been covering NASCAR and IndyCar for the past year here on RacingJunk, as well as digging deep into the classifieds to find – and share – compelling race cars for sale. I’m also a racer myself. I’ve loved racing since I was a kid, but it wasn’t until adulthood that I had the resources to pursue it.
Over the past few years, I’ve been able to improve my skill set thanks to some very generous friends. Back in the glory days of the ‘60s, ‘70s, and ‘80s, it wasn’t uncommon for “gentlemen racers” like myself to make the occasional appearance in the highest levels of racing, thanks in no small part to sponsorship gleaned from personal relationships – with a little bit of dumb luck thrown into the mix. I may be a few decades late to that particular party, but I’m going to have a go at it anyways.
Every year around this time, people make a list of New Year’s Resolutions in an attempt to better themselves and their standing in life. This year, I’m making just one – I’m going to attempt to run the ARCA Menards Series race at Watkins Glen on August 8, 2025. To do this successfully, I’ll need to secure sponsorship – as well as hone my body and mind into a fine-tuned racing machine. I intend to bring you, the RacingJunk readers, along for the ride, every step of the way, from my search for sponsorship to walking you through my licensing procedure. I’ll be your modern-day George Plimpton at 170 MPH.
The first step of my journey is already complete. I’ve secured a ride with Kimmel Racing. Kimmel Racing, run by Will Kimmel, is a family business. Started in 1949 – one year after NASCAR itself – Kimmel Racing has been successful through multiple generations of the Kimmel family. Will’s uncle, Frank Kimmel, is the most successful driver ever in the ARCA Menards Series, winning an incredible ten championships. It’s a big seat to fill, and I hope I can do right by them when the green flag drops in August. Before you ask, yes, I will be in the #69 car.
I’m incredibly grateful for the opportunity to race with one of the most legendary organizations in ARCA racing. I’m eager to share this journey with you and give you an inside look at how American stock car racing works at the national level. If there’s anything in particular you’d like to learn more about, let me know – I’ll be happy to write about it in a future column. Until then, have a happy and safe new year!
Photos: Jeremy Bryner and Nash Read
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