The eyes of the racing world focused in on driver Kaden Honeycutt as he achieved an unheard of feat over the course of the weekend, and in doing so collected praise from some of the sport’s most prolific names in the process.
In case you missed it, Honeycutt won four races spanning across four separate series and two states. He first won the ARCA Menards Series event on Friday afternoon. Then, he picked up the win in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event on Friday evening. Both races were run at Watkins Glen International and both were his first victories in those series.
Following his foray at The Glen, Honeycutt then traveled to Ace Speedway in Altamahaw, North Carolina, where he scored his second straight CARS Tour Pro Late Model win and finished off his weekend winning his first CARS Tour Late Model Stock race of the season.
Four races. Four vehicles. Two tracks in two states.
So, as you could expect, Honeycutt’s accomplishments was were a popular discussion topic within the industry.
In a video posted to the FloRacing X account, Dale Earnhardt Jr. shared his thoughts on Honeycutt’s performance over the weekend.
“Man it’s just fantastic,” said Earnhardt. “I know that Kaden is a great little racecar driver and that he’s raced in the CARS Tour for quite a while and he’s got a bright future in front of him and has some really good opportunities in the Truck Series and so fourth.”
“I feel like he’s on a good path forward,” he continued. “It’s just so impressive to have the opportunity to jump into four different cars and do what he did over the course of the weekend.”
During the post-race press conference following the NASCAR Cup Series race at Watkins Glen, race-winning team owner Justin Marks, of Trackhouse Racing, was asked about Honeycutt.
“I think Kaden is an extraordinarily talented young man,” said Marks. “I think he’s an extraordinarily talented young man. I think that he’s — I think Toyota has a special one in that kid, and I’ll certainly be watching his development.”
Marks noted, “It’s that rate of adaptability, man. Just to be able to get in anything and go fast. I’m a big fan of Kaden Honeycutt.”
On Monday’s edition of Actions Detrimental, Denny Hamlin spoke about how and when Honeycutt first showed up on his radar, back during Honeycutt’s time in the eNASCAR iRacing Coca-Cola Series, and lauded his accomplishments as of late, now that he is a Toyota Racing teammate.
“Really happy for Kaden,” said Hamlin. “He’s part of the Toyota Racing team now, and is just doing a great job in that 11 truck. Obviously Scott Zipadelli is a part of the success of that truck, but Kaden’s doing a great job.”
“I first got exposed to him watching those Coca-Cola Series races on iRacing,” he recalled. “It’s where I first saw him racing, and he was really good then too, and it translated to real life racing. He’s got his opportunity now, he’s in a truck and this is the first of likely many wins for him this season. I think we see someone that eventually moves up the ladder.”
Capping off the “Honeycutt World Tour” was guest-hosting the podcast Door, Bumper Clear alongside NASCAR Hall of Famer Kurt Busch. Host Freddie Kraft opened the show recounting Honeycutt’s weekend.
This brought several moments of levity to what has been an historic weekend for the young driver. In addition to mentions of his greatness were plenty of jabs at Honeycutt’s interesting celebrations, which included numerous failed attempts at “shot-gunning beers”, nearly falling off the car in victory lane and his proclamation that “nobody can beat him”.
Aside from the celebratory antics, the panel elaborated on the ins and outs of how Honeycutt was even in the position to attempt this feat. Honeycutt shared everything from how the ARCA race was vital to being able to win in the Truck to racing Florida Modifieds on the Gulf Coast.
Honeycutt will have a couple of days to recharge before climbing back behind the wheel this Friday in Dover, Delaware with the Truck Series. His next CARS Tour appearance comes a couple of weeks later in Langley, Virginia.
