Fresh off his first two victories of 2023, Kaeden Ballos sat down with INEX/USLCI for a rapid-fire “In the Pits” feature that hits the core of who he is: a fourth-generation racer from Concord, North Carolina with a calm approach, big goals, and a focus on doing things the right way. Read the original Q&A here for the full conversation: In the Pits with Kaeden
The quick profile
- Hometown: Concord, NC
- Division: Young Lions (Legend Car)
- Car #: 19
- Team: AK Performance
- Favorite Ice Cream: French Vanilla
How it started
Kaeden first went to a local kart track with his dad at age six or seven and was hooked immediately. He began racing at seven and carries the weight—and motivation—of being a fourth-generation driver. His car number honors his grandfather, who raced in NASCAR’s Goody’s Dash Series in the ’70s and ’80s.
Favorite memory
The moment that still gives him chills: winning the 2022 Cook Out Summer Shootout Outlaws Championship. Standing on that stage after sealing the title is the memory he keeps coming back to.
Early 2023: moving up and winning
After claiming the 2022 Outlaws crown, Kaeden stepped up to Legend Cars in 2023 and promptly scored his first two wins—momentum he built right after the Summer Shootout wrapped.
Who inspires him
His grandfather remains the biggest influence. Though he passed away before Kaeden won the Outlaw championship, Kaeden races to make him proud and to carry the family’s standard with respect.
A Joey Logano lesson worth taping to the dash
Best advice he’s received came from Joey Logano at Charlotte Motor Speedway:
“Act like an egg is under your gas pedal, and like there’s a glass of water on top of your steering wheel.”
Smooth throttle. Smooth hands. Perfect for a Legend Car, and a reminder that control beats aggression.
What he tells younger drivers
“Don’t lose confidence.” Everything is a learning rep at this age. Fix mistakes while you’re out there, be aware of your surroundings, and build passion and dedication. That mindset is how you go far.
School, training, and the quiet side
Kaeden attends Rowan-Cabarrus Early College of Technology, working toward an associate’s degree in applied science (motorsports) as he finishes high school—saving time while staying close to the industry. Off track he keeps it simple: gym sessions, bike rides at sunset, and time outdoors. If he’s not at the track, you might find him cooling down behind the gym, watching the sky change and resetting for the next day.
How he races
Inside the car he’s studying constantly—pacing the leader, searching for tiny mistakes, and setting up passes by braking a touch later or picking up throttle a touch earlier. That patience is why he says he often drives his best when he’s chasing someone.
Big dreams (and a dream car)
Bucket-list tracks? Daytona or Talladega. Dream street car? A BMW M4 Competition, tastefully lowered with a clean spoiler and front lip.
How he wants to be remembered
Not as the villain or the driver who moved people out of the way, but as someone who raced clean, worked hard, and ran up front.
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For the full Q&A and original quotes, visit INEX: “In the Pits with Kaeden Ballos”.
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