A break in the NASCAR world does not come from contacts, it comes from a consistent performance at the grassroots levels. The sport has seen drivers from various disciplines making it big. Some like Christopher Bell and Kyle Larson come from Dirt racing series like Tulsa Bowl, there are drivers like Rajah Caruth coming from iRacing, and there are drivers like Kyle Busch coming from the Late models and ARCA racing. While ARCA was considered the true feeder series of NASCAR, fans are now divided. And, an insider from 23XI Racing voiced his opinion on the same.
Freddie Kraft isn’t just a familiar voice on NASCAR radio. He’s a guy who’s seen it all from inside the garage and atop the spotter’s stand for Bubba Wallace. So, when he weighs in on the next generation of drivers and the path they should take to reach the big leagues, people listen. Recently, he shared some candid thoughts about the current landscape of NASCAR’s feeder series and why one up-and-coming tour is capturing his attention far more than the others.
Why the CARS Tour has surpassed ARCA as NASCAR’s top feeder series
Freddie Kraft has never been afraid to speak his mind about the state of racing. On a recent episode of the Dirty Mo Media podcast, he tackled a hot topic. Which series is truly preparing the next generation of NASCAR stars? The numbers are impressive—253,000 viewers tuned in to watch the CARS Tour at North Wilkesboro on FS1, according to Nielsen. But does that make it the number one feeder series? Kraft doesn’t think so, at least not in the traditional sense.
“I don’t know that it’s the number one feeder series,” Kraft admitted. “I think in my mind, it’s replaced the K&N series.” He pointed out that the old K&N Pro Series, which produced talents like Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney, and Chase Elliott, has now been eclipsed by the CARS Tour. “The CARS tour now has replaced that for me,” Kraft said, highlighting how the series has become a proving ground for young drivers.
Is the @CARSTour currently the best feeder program out there?
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When it comes to ARCA, Kraft didn’t hold back. “The ARCA East and the ARCA West, and frankly, if you watch those races, I’m not impressed. Especially the east and west races.” He, however, acknowledged that the national ARCA races are a little bit better, but still lacking. The limitations are clear. ARCA East and West often struggle with small fields, inconsistent competition, and limited exposure. The races can lack the intensity and depth of talent seen in other series. Even the national ARCA series, while better, doesn’t always offer the kind of race craft development young drivers need.
Kraft believes the CARS Tour fills that gap. “These guys learn so much of race craft in the CARS tour. If I am steering a young driver on a path right now, it’s gotta lead through the CARS tour,” Kraft explained. Recent graduates like Josh Berry and Carson Kvapil have used the CARS Tour as a springboard to national NASCAR success. It seems the ARCA series’ racing philosophy is a bit all over the place. And a new full-time racer bared it all on Dale Jr Download.
Isabella Robusto, the No. 55 Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports, recently shared how she qualified for her ARCA pole in 2024 at the Kansas Speedway. “I remember them just saying, ‘Just hold it wide open like don’t lift, just hold it wide open’ and I was like ‘OK, all right, here we go!’ And so we go out, and all I can hear in my head is like all the people just saying ‘Hold it wide open, don’t lift, don’t lift’, so I did it,” she said to Dale Earnhardt Jr. You may question how one driver’s statement provided us with this ultimatum. But, there’s more.
Tanner Reif, the winner of the ARCA West Series’ return to Tucson Speedway, said, “I said, ‘I’m going to ride as slow as anybody can go, and when it’s time to go, I’m going to have a car better than anybody out there.’” This was the first old-school tire-saving race in years for the series! Stock car racing has boiled down to a lot of speed, wrecking, and very little technique. And, this is something concerning.
Hence, for Kraft, the combination of tough competition, short track skills, and strong fields makes the CARS Tour the clear choice for rising stars.
NASCAR legends and stars rally behind the CARS Tour
The CARS Tour isn’t just winning over fans and young drivers. It’s also drawing major support from some of NASCAR’s biggest names. Dale Earnhardt Jr. is one of the most vocal and active backers. Not only is he a co-owner of the CARS Tour, but he’s also stepped into the announcer’s booth, calling races alongside Kevin Harvick, another NASCAR legend and co-owner of the series. Their involvement has brought instant credibility and a spotlight to the tour that few regional series can claim.
The ownership group doesn’t stop with Earnhardt Jr. and Harvick. Jeff Burton, another NASCAR veteran, and Justin Marks, co-owner of Trackhouse Racing, are also part of the leadership team. Their combined experience and industry connections have helped attract more talent and resources to the CARS Tour, making it a true launchpad for aspiring racers.
Denny Hamlin, a Cup Series star and three-time Daytona 500 winner, has publicly praised the CARS Tour’s growth. He recently said, “Love the opportunity that these guys were getting. I mean, on the big stage, sharing a weekend with the Cup guys on the All-Star weekend. You’re at a NASCAR Cup Series track… you’re on a big network. All those things are fantastic.” Hamlin’s endorsement highlights how the series is now intertwined with NASCAR’s biggest events, like the All-Star race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
This high-profile backing has translated into stacked entry lists and national TV coverage. The 2025 season features a deep roster of young talent. This includes drivers backed by powerhouse teams like Kevin Harvick Inc. and JR Motorsports. The presence of NASCAR veterans in the paddock and the broadcast booth only adds to the prestige.
With so many legends investing their time and resources, the CARS Tour’s reputation as the premier feeder series keeps growing. Will more NASCAR stars follow their lead and help shape the future of grassroots racing?
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