Imagine the scene: a track crowded with fans, the deafening roar of engines, and the steady pulse of excitement in the air. But for one driver, with each lap that passed, it transformed into a heartfelt pilgrimage. Kaden Honeycutt wasn’t merely chasing first place; he was weaving through his grief, channeling everything he had into a victory that would speak volumes to a legacy that deserved to be celebrated.

As he fought off challengers and steered towards the chequered flag, he carried more than just the weight of his machine; he carried the fond memories of camaraderie and the spirit of a friend who had left a lasting impact on all who had crossed his path. The winner of the Snowball Derby this year, Kaden Honeycutt, a part of Dale Jr.’s JR Motorsports, revealed what really pushed him to dominate the event.

Winning at the Five Flags Speedway

The Snowball Derby is no minor off-season race for amateurs. It attracts fierce competition as racers vie for the coveted Tom Dawson Trophy. This year’s lineup included notable names like Bubba Pollard, Noah Gragson, and Ty Majeski, each eager to claim victory in this cutthroat environment.

However, different people run races for various reasons, and this year’s 57th Derby had a deeper emotional significance for one racer. Kaden Honeycutt, as he charged toward the chequered flag, was driven by the memory of his dear friend, Jeff Sandlin. Sandlin, a beloved figure in the racing community and a member of Strange Oval passed away earlier this year, leaving a legacy that touched many across different racing divisions, from grassroots to NASCAR.

For Honeycutt, it was about defending that legacy when he held off Nasse behind him. The only thought in his mind was honoring Sandlin’s memory through his performance on the track. “I don’t know how to describe it; it was all for Jeff. The entire time in the race, I was thinking about Jeff. And I was going to win the race for him. He has done so much for this program, so much for racers in general. And Jeff was a huge reason why I was running for him. To have him not here, unfortunately, but have him watch it from a better place is very special,” he told Rob Blount from Flo Racing.

Honeycutt might not have made it to the Snowball Derby without Jeff Sandlin. Long before Kayden Honeycut announced his intentions of running the #16 Jett Motorsports car as a tribute to his late friend, there was a possibility of him not driving the car. Back in 2022, Honeycut sat in with Larry Bount, one of the co-owners of the #21 car, as the team prepared for the 2022 Snowball Derby. Driving the car was Corey Heim, who was unavailable at the time due to the NASCAR Banquet taking place.

Kaden Honeycutt filled in for him whenever the team required him to. Although he didn’t drive for the team in the race, co-owners Pat Jett and Larry Blount remembered the work he put into the car. Moreover, Honeycutt had Jeff Sandlin vouching for him. “He told Pat and Larry, if they were done fooling around, they needed to put me in the car,” Honeycutt explained.

Sandlin’s faith paid off eventually, as Kaden Honeycutt not only won his first Snowball Derby trophy, he won the first Snowball Derby for Jett Motorsports. Even Blount had no shortage of words for Sandlin’s contribution. “Absolutely Jeff had recommendations, and then me and Pat would talk about it, and with Kaden we said, ‘heck yeah,’ and we did it. In fact, Kaden had driven for us a little bit here and there, practiced my car at the Derby, and just couldn’t figure out a way to get him in the car for the race.” 

With a major event in his pocket, Kaden Honeycutt is on everyone’s radar. Here’s what he has lined up for the 2025 season.

Kaden Honeycutt’s big plans for 2025

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Kaden Honeycutt is no stranger to the big leagues of stock-racing. 2024 already saw him race part-time in the Truck Series. With five Top-10 results in the #45 Chevy for Niece Motorsports, Honeycutt quickly impressed fans and NASCAR pundits. One of his best performances came at the Kansas Speedway, finishing in fourth position in the spring as well as the fall race. Similarly, in the Charlotte race, he looked dominant before pit road issues forced him to finish seventh.

Having shown faith in him since 2023, Al Niece, owner of Niece Motorsports, quickly snapped up his fellow Texan for a permanent 2025 drive with their team. One aspect that may have influenced Niece’s decision is Kaden Honeycutt’s performances helped the team get into the Owner’s Playoffs this season in a part-time role. Having such a talent in the team in the long run can certainly prove beneficial.

Speaking about this move, Honeycutt had nothing but gratitude and confidence. “We’ve had some good runs this year, and I know what our team is capable of. Heading into 2025, I really think we’ll have a great shot at competing at a high level on a weekly basis. I can’t say thank you enough to Al, Cody, and everyone at Chevrolet for this. It’s going to be a great year together.” 

Driving alongside him in the other Niece Motorsports car is Matt Mills, whose #42 Chevy received a one-year extension to his deal.