Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen’s NASCAR Stock Rising
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Brenden Queen’s NASCAR Xfinity Series Debut: A Late Bloomer’s Journey
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The Unconventional Path to NASCAR
At 27-years-old, Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen is supposed to be too old to make his NASCAR xfinity Series debut based on the standards of this century, but those standards have also shifted over the past half decade or so.
Queen was content to be a short track lifer, earning most of his accolades in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour, but circumstances have allowed him to begin earnestly pursuing a NASCAR national touring career.
If this sounds familiar, its because Josh Berry paved a similar path earlier not that long ago, running his first full-time Xfinity Series season at 29-years-old and only after accomplishing practically all of his goals in late Model Stock competition.
Inspired by josh Berry’s Success
“You know, Josh Berry getting his prospect really helped people like me,” Queen said on Friday during a press conference at bristol on Friday in advance of his debut with Kaulig Racing.”FloRacing did a lot to help me showcase my brand, me as a person, and now being in ARCA and on FS1, showing everyone who I am beyond a race car driver.”
That person, by the way, is an affable and authentic child-at-heart with a tenacious competitive streak, a cool nickname and a devout fan base.Put the package together,and it has Queen on the verge of an ARCA Racing Series championship and a similar breakthrough as Berry.
“I think all of that has helped a lot, but Josh making it when he did, shows the timing just has to work for everyone in this sport. And for me, everything just opened up at the right time. I’ve tried to make the most of every opportunity because you never know what is next.”
the Ripple Effect: from Dirt Tracks to NASCAR
For Queen, it was befriending local dirt racer John staton, and just wanting to hang out with him on weekends he wasn’t racing himself. Staton put Queen in his dirt Late Model, where they immediately started winning races at Dixie Speedway, convincing the Virginia business owner to sponsor Queen in the CARS Tour as well.
The extra funding allowed Queen to focus on the CARS Tour, where he quickly became a dominant force. His success attracted further attention and ultimately led to the opportunity with Kaulig Racing.
The Changing Landscape of NASCAR Driver Demographics
Traditionally,NASCAR has favored young drivers,frequently enough teenagers or those in their early twenties. Though, recent years have seen a shift, with drivers like Berry and now Queen proving that success can be achieved at a later age. This trend