Dale Earnhardt Jr. will be joining the field once again for Friday’s CARS Tour event at Florence Motor Speedway, marking another exciting entry in the Dale Earnhardt Jr CARS Tour Florence campaign. The event not only brings the NASCAR Hall of Famer back to a track where he nearly won last year, but it also promises a night packed with regional and national racing stars looking to make their mark on the abrasive South Carolina circuit.
Earnhardt Jr. and the No. 8 Reignite Florence Rivalries
Friday will be Earnhardt Jr.’s first return to Florence since his dramatic run last November, where racing in the famed red Budweiser scheme for the first time since 2006, he powered from 40th up to second before a fuel pump issue ended his night roughly 30 laps from the finish. This event marks his third CARS Tour start of the current season, following appearances in Cordele, Georgia, and at Anderson Motor Speedway. Eager race fans await whether Earnhardt Jr. can finally conquer the challenging surface and push JR Motorsports to the forefront at Florence.
Emerging Talent Set for CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Debuts
Vandyke Racing Performance introduces a fresh look this Friday, with 16-year-old Isaac Kitzmiller stepping into the No. 97 machine— a number deeply rooted in his racing family’s tradition. After starting the season with Buddy Isles Jr., the team is banking on Kitzmiller’s rapid ascent, as he leads the ARCA Menards Series East standings and brings a string of top finishes for RackleyWAR in Pro Late Models. This Friday, the Petersburg, West Virginia driver will juggle double-duty in both Late Model Stock and Pro Late Model classes, with his ARCA Menards Series East rival, Tyler Reif, also competing in the Pro Late Model field.
South Carolina Favorites and Rivalries Heat Up
Local hopefuls Matt Cox and Cody Kelley are set to defend their home turf, each having secured five victories this season. Cox, the Longs, South Carolina, native and multi-time track champion at Florence, finished third in last year’s tour race and currently holds second place in track championship points. Kelley—hailing from Hartsville, South Carolina—leads the points, helped by an extra start this season, and looks to capitalize on his home advantage despite a disappointing run at Florence in 2023.
Promising Contenders Poised for Breakout Performances
Watch for CARS Tour regulars such as Donovan Strauss and Lanie Buice to challenge the veterans. Strauss, now eighth in points and full-time with Hettinger Racing, scored a weekly win at Florence last year with AK Performance and aims to break through with his first CARS Tour top-five. Buice brings extensive experience on the Florence track, having charged into podium position during the 2023 South Carolina 400 before tire issues. As a Lee Pulliam Performance driver, Buice has shown speed in marquee events, including front-row qualifying at North Wilkesboro. Her team, recently successful with Brenden “Butterbean” Queen, expects a strong showing.
Lee Pulliam Performance fields another threat in Doug Barnes Jr., who sits seventh in points and atop the Bilstein Shocks Rookie standings. Barnes claimed multiple wins at Florence last season during his battle with current CARS Tour leader Connor Hall for the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series title.
Spotlight on Young Talent in the Pro Late Model Class
In the Pro Late Model category, 13-year-old Keelan Harvick returns from a CARS Tour West triumph in Colorado. Florence is a personal landmark for Harvick, having notched his first Late Model start and win at this venue. After debuting with an eighth-place run last November, Harvick returned for victory in February and has since won across California, Colorado, and at Hickory Motor Speedway in North Carolina.
Jade Avedisian, representing Clovis, California, continues to make history. She claimed victory earlier this year at the season opener in Coastal Plains Raceway—becoming the first female winner in the CARS Tour’s three-division history. The abrasive surface at Florence presents a new challenge, but Avedisian’s earlier success on similar tracks makes her a driver to watch.
Previewing the Friday Night Action and Schedule
Race fans can catch the drama live on FloRacing, with broadcast coverage beginning at 5 p.m. ET on Friday. The evening will showcase both Pro Late Model qualifying and main events, with CARS Tour feature action set for a 7:45 p.m. ET start. FloRacing will also air weekly racing division events, offering a comprehensive look at the region’s top talent and up-and-coming stars, including Jacob Heafner, Parker Eatmon, and Landon Huffman.
2025 CARS Tour Entry Lists: Late Model Stock and Pro Late Model Fields
The Late Model Stock Car field features a competitive roster drawn from across the region and beyond. Notable names include Chase Burrow from King William’s, Virginia; Lanie Buice representing Jackson, Georgia; Ronnie Bassett Jr. of Lexington, North Carolina; Brandon Pierce of Kernersville, North Carolina; Matt Waltz from Carrollton, Virginia; and several others. The lineup also welcomes Dale Earnhardt Jr. (Mooresville, North Carolina), Cody Kelley (Hartsville, South Carolina), Chad McCumbee (Shallotte, North Carolina), and Matt Cox (Longs, South Carolina).
Additional entries include Landen Lewis (Ocean Isles Beach, North Carolina), Conner Jones (Fredericksburg, Virginia), Landon Huffman (Claremont, North Carolina), Mini Tyrrell (Manassas, Virginia), and Doug Barnes Jr. (Wellington, Florida). Local and regional stars such as Isaac Kitzmiller, Tyler Reif (Las Vegas, Nevada), and Carson Loftin are also confirmed.
The Pro Late Model field also brings together fresh faces and proven winners, with Ben Maier (Chester, Maryland), Brandon Lopez (Woodstock, Georgia), Keelan Harvick (Charlotte, North Carolina), Jade Avedisian (Clovis, California), and Cody Ware (Greensboro, North Carolina) among the starters. This diverse field includes Isaac Kitzmiller making a rare double start, experienced drivers like Tyler Reif (Davidson, Nevada), and up-and-comers such as Chase Burgeson (Yucaipa, California) and Dylan Garner (Yorba Linda, California). Veteran teams like Rackley/WAR and Setzer Racing, along with organizations like Bryson Lopez Racing and Rick Ware Racing, will all be represented.
What Friday Night at Florence Means for the CARS Tour
Friday’s CARS Tour event at Florence Motor Speedway is not just another race—it exemplifies the blend of youth, experience, and legacy that defines short track racing in the region. With Dale Earnhardt Jr. once again behind the wheel and young prospects like Keelan Harvick, Jade Avedisian, and Isaac Kitzmiller looking to make headlines, the energy is palpable for both competitors and spectators. The event stands as a pivotal showcase for local champions defending their ground and emerging talent pushing to etch their names among the sport’s elite, setting the tone for an electrifying remainder of the season on the Dale Earnhardt Jr CARS Tour Florence circuit.
