Star power can make all the difference. Just ask drivers such as Brenden Queen, who are competing in the zMAX CARS Tour. Considered the foundation of stock car racing in the United States, the series gives racers a platform to showcase their talent, and an opportunity to someday compete in NASCAR. However, unlike the three national series under NASCAR’s umbrella, the CARS Tour doesn’t receive much attention, unless a Cup Series driver is competing in one of the races.

Having recently won Virginia’s Late Model Triple Crown race ahead of the legendary Dale Earnhardt Jr, Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen spoke about how Cup Series drivers raise the profile of grassroots racing, simply by participating in them.

Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen wants to compete against the very best

While some rookies may get intimidated by racing against Cup Series drivers, others would relish the opportunity to test themselves against the best. The presence of NASCAR’s biggest names helps generate media and fan interest, allowing rookies to showcase their talent to bigger teams, bring new sponsors on board, and build a fan following. Recently, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jr finished fifth at the Hampton Heat 200 in front of 6500 fans, while Brenden Queen won the race, showing just how much he relishes an opportunity to race against the very best.

When asked how he feels about competing against Cup Series racers, Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen candidly replied on Dale Jr Download, “I love it, you know. I’ve always tried to just look at it as you know when we all strap in, we’re all racers and you don’t ever change anything because of somebody coming down to run with you. But when I won Wilkesboro, how many eyes were on it because there were 8 or 9 Cup guys. And you want to beat the best, the more the better really. Because if you’re racing five cars and one falls out and this guy’s barely getting there, you know, it’s not going to mean the same as if you beat 20 guys that are the best of the best.”

The 26-year-old also went wheel-to-wheel with Cup Series driver Josh Berry for Kevin Harvick Inc. at Hickory Motor Speedway. While another win wasn’t on the cards, Brenden Queen finished in the top five, a magnificent result given his circumstances. At North Wilkesboro Speedway last year, Queen went up against Chase Elliott, Noah Gragson, Daniel Suarez, Kevin Harvick, Dale Jr, and many others, but emerged victorious. With the CARS Tour returning to the paved oval short-track on August 3rd, Brenden Queen will hope to repeat that achievement once again.

Grassroots racing is the lifeblood of NASCAR, as it lays the foundation for future generations to work their way towards the very top. It’s also an opportunity for Cup Series drivers to truly test themselves, as they are competing with younger opponents who are hungry to prove themselves while fighting for their future. By competing in the so-called ‘lower tiers’, NASCAR drivers are not only spreading awareness about grassroots racing but are also inspiring future generations by showing that you’re never too good to compete amongst those who are less experienced. It’s a lesson about humility that aspiring racers will remember for years to come.

Rising star shares the secret behind his recent success

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Brenden ‘Butterbean’ Queen is the man of the moment. The 26-year-old outperformed the legendary Dale Earnhardt Jr at the Hampton Heat 200, and recently joined Tricon Garage in the NASCAR Truck Series, making his debut on May 24th. With a race win at North Wilkesboro already in the bag, he also won the 2023 season-ending Thanksgiving Classic in North Carolina.

Speaking on Dale Jr Download, Brenden Queen said, “When I was 17-18 I thought, I had to win every race. That’s the only way I am gonna get noticed. It’s the only way I am gonna get somewhere.” However, the 26-year-old went on to say that as he grew older, he realized the importance of creating a brand, and learned to perform without the added pressure of winning the race.

Revealing his secret about taking less pressure, which has translated to better results, Queen went on to say, “Then obviously the on-track performance is a bonus and has helped. I’m not saying that you don’t need to win because you do need to win. What I felt like when I stopped putting pressure as much pressure on myself. I started winning a lot more races.”

Eyeing a permanent seat in NASCAR, Queen is eager to make his mark in the big leagues. So far, he has finished fourth at North Wilkesboro Speedway on his Truck Series debut and 19th at Nashville Superspeedway. While his next appearance isn’t official yet, Queen has said, “I’ll be in Kansas. I won’t be running for the triple crown”, which means there is a good possibility we might see his No. 1 Toyota Tundra at Kansas Speedway soon.

Do you think Brenden Queen will secure a permanent seat in the NASCAR Truck Series? Let us know in the comments!