By: Ashley McCubbin

After putting together an impressive late model resume, Kaden Honeycutt will get the chance to go NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series racing, taking on at least the initial six races on the calendar with Roper Racing.

Unfortunately, the NextEra Energy Resources 250 did not go as hoped with Honeycutt failing to qualify. He will hope to change his luck around going into Las Vegas Motor Speedway on March 3.

Prior to the event at Daytona International Speedway, he shared his thoughts with NEWS FROM THE PITS.

What are your thoughts going into the 2023 partial season?

Well, we’re definitely trying to do remarkably well, like everybody is going to attempt to. For the limited schedule that we got, we’re trying to really prove something that people won’t think of us and that is compete for wins, be really competitive, and almost be in a playoff position once the six races are over – or if not be in one. Our goals are set high, but I really feel like we can do really well and I don’t see why we can’t.

What track are you most excited to get to?

Honestly, I’m pretty excited for Bristol (Motor Speedway) dirt mostly because my dirt experience. I’ve really had a lot of success on dirt so it’s one that stands out to be the most out of all those races to do the absolutely best that we can in.

Could we see your schedule expand for 2023?

It is subject to change, so it all really depends on how the first six races go and if they go remarkably well, we’re definitely going to attempt to do the whole season. Like I said, we’ll see. We’ll just take it race by race and see what we can do.

You were able to run seven races last year. What was your biggest takeaway from that experience?

I definitely have experience in the way the truck series is ran, the way you have to race it. There’s a lot of different things that I didn’t expect that didn’t happen so I’m really looking forward to coming back and knowing what to expect, and what is kind of expect what is not expected. But I know what a truck needs to be fast and I feel like I’ve gotten that down. I feel like I know how these people race, so having that experience from last year can do me good for this year.

And it had to be a good confidence boost in ending off the stretch with a top-10 in ninth at Phoenix Raceway.

Yeah, I mean just finishing in the top-10 in a truck that we were in is definitely a confidence booster. I think everything will be great and it’s just a matter of executing and being in the right position and doing it the right way.

So switching gears, back to where you started, what made you want to become a racecar driver?

Well obviously my dad a racer himself so I’m a second-generation driver. He’s raced local short tracks and stuff so I made it a little further than he did but we both enjoy it very much, and how I got started from when my dad used to be able to race. Now I’m trying to take on that legacy and make it more.

What’s been the most memorable moment of your racing career to date?

Winning at Ace Speedway and Orange County in the same weekend in our late model after the passing of my grandfather the week before. So winning those two races definitely had a meaningful upon that.

How much is that late model experience helped at this point in your career?

It’s definitely helped. I think any type of stock car experience is very useful and late model stock racing is probably the most useful of all late model racing before moving onto (NASCAR) Cup (Series) or Xfinity (Series) nowadays. I’ve used it quite a bit. I’ve used the experience towards my racing goals, speed that I’ve tried to gain last couple seasons. Everything just comes together at some point and the late model racing just really helps. It’s just the next step before going into NASCAR. It has helped me a tremendous amount.

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

Well, I hope to be in the Cup Series or Xfinity Series. That is my goals. I set high goals for myself but I try to strive for them, achieve them, and do the best that I possibly can to make that happen.

Who do you consider your racing hero?

Jeff Gordon definitely is because I’ve watched him ever since I was born, and I dressed up in Gordon stuff when I was a little kid. I definitely see Jeff and obviously my dad as my two biggest idols.