On His First Late Model Win, the Step Up From Legends, and What’s Next
Kaeden jumped on the Talking Circles podcast this week for a wide-ranging, unscripted chat that covered his first Late Model win, the learning curve from Legends to Late Models, and how he’s building toward a busier 2026 slate. The full video is embedded above; here are the highlights.
A first win in six starts.
Kaeden recapped a momentum-setting night at Orange County Speedway—“a redemption run” after being put in the wall there previously. New to the track in a Pro Late Model earlier in the year, he returned, executed, and left with the trophy. After twin-40s at Hickory and a handful of prior Pro Late Model starts with Hurricane Racing, Orange County is now at the top of his list: “It’s exhilarating—adrenaline from green to checkered.”
From Legends to Late Models—two very different cars.
Asked about the transition, Kaeden was candid: the power-to-weight, footprint, and driving style are “completely different.” He had to unlearn the quick, twitchy inputs of a light Legends car and adapt to the wider, heavier Late Model. What helped most? A full 2023 INEX Summer Shootout and a year of Legends racing. “If I didn’t run 2023 Shootout, I wouldn’t be the driver I am today.”
Training that mixes strength with speed of thought.
Kaeden gave listeners a look inside PitFit—his driver development program that pairs gym work with cognitive training. One minute it’s a two-mile threshold ride; the next it’s reaction boards, shape recognition, and mental math under fatigue. The payoff is decision-making under pressure: “It’s helped me be more confident in my choices on track.”
School, shop time, and the business of racing.
Beyond the car, Kaeden is earning an associate’s degree in Motorsports Management at Cabarrus Early College of Technology. Coursework in fabrication, chassis, and engines feeds directly into race-week prep—and he runs his own social channels. The discipline shows up in little moments too: on a recent off-week he knocked out a CPR certification class.
Family roots that run deep.
Racing is the family language: a great-grandfather who raced, a grandfather who worked in NASCAR and the Goody’s Dash Series, a dad who’s run Street Stocks and Late Models, and grandparents who encourage long-term thinking—gifting stock instead of stuff at holidays. It’s a support system that shows up at the shop, at the track, and in the comments during live shows.
2026 direction: more races, bigger events.
With the current TORP chassis coming apart for end-of-year teardown, the team is building another TORP for next season. The goal is straightforward: run more, run bigger, and target Cars Tour events when budget allows. Kaeden was clear that sponsorship makes the schedule—he’ll represent partners well and keep the program professional on and off camera.
Before signing off, Kaeden thanked the crew, shop help, family, and friends who turn wrenches and keep the car moving forward each week. Watch the conversation to hear the full story—complete with some fun detours into favorite foods (fried pickles with restaurant-style ranch won the debate), social media, and the mindset required when the helmet goes on.
