A second-generation Tour-Type Modified prodigy is next to inherit the legacy of the Nelson Motorsports No. 22 in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour.
Carson Loftin, the 16-year-old SMART Modified Tour championship runner-up, will race full-time in CARS Tour next season for the same team that won three championships with Bobby McCarty, an Old North State Nationals with Landon Huffman and finished second last year with Connor Hall.
Loftin won five SMART Tour races this past season and will make his debut with Nelson at the South Carolina 400 at Florence Motor Speedway later in the month. In addition to the full CARS Tour campaign, the pairing will also tackle all three NASCAR Virginia Triple Crown races together in 2025.
“I’m super excited about announcing that l’ll be driving the AutosByNelson.com 22 next year on the CARS Tour and the Virginia Triple Crown,” said Loftin in a press release. “It’s going to be a great time. I can’t thank Barry Nelson and his team enough for being welcoming and giving me this opportunity. The goal is to make the most of it and make them proud. I’m looking forward to getting to work with this group.”
Hall moved over to JR Motorsports for next season and it gives Barry Nelson the chance to mentor a young driver again.
“I’m excited but really, l’m excited for this young man the most,” said Nelson. “It’s going to be a good opportunity for him to showcase his talent.”
The South Carolina 400 will also mark his Late Model Stock debut.
“The biggest challenge I will have is adapting from a Modified to a Late Model,” said Loftin. “There is less grip and less horsepower so more momentum in the corners. here are a lot of challenges, but with the people surrounding me, that gives me confidence.”
Other drivers who have piloted cars for the team since its inception in 2013 are Kaden Honeycutt, Jonathan Shafer, Timothy Peters, Brandon Pierce, Sammy Smith and Ty Gibbs.
