Kaulig Racing signs Brenden Queen, the current leader in ARCA Menards Series points, for his highly anticipated NASCAR Xfinity Series debut during next weekend’s Food City 300 at Bristol Motor Speedway. Queen, known by fans as “Butterbean,” is scheduled to compete in the series for the first time on Friday, September 12, driving the No. 11 Chevrolet under Matt Kaulig’s ownership.
Background and Achievements of Brenden Queen
At 27 years old, Brenden Queen has established himself as a strong competitor, particularly on short tracks, and has solidified his status as the defending champion of the zMAX CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour. Representing Pinnacle Racing Group in the ARCA Menards Series, Queen currently leads the series with six wins and three pole positions in 2025. Over the last two years, he’s also raced four times in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, achieving a personal best fourth-place finish at North Wilkesboro Speedway in May 2024 while piloting the No. 1 Toyota Tundra for TRICON Garage.
Reactions from Queen and Kaulig Racing
Queen expressed his excitement about the opportunity, saying,
“It’s been a dream of mine to get a chance to drive in the Xfinity Series,”
and added,
“I can’t thank everyone at Kaulig Racing enough for making that dream become a reality. I’m fortunate to have this opportunity, and I can’t wait to get to Bristol and give the team all I’ve got and have a solid day.”
—Brenden Queen, Driver
Chris Rice, President of Kaulig Racing, shared the team’s anticipation, stating,
“We’re super excited to be a part of Brenden’s next steps in his racing career,”
and continued,
“He has made a splash in the ARCA Menards Series and is an all-around great short track racer, so we’re looking forward to seeing what he can do in the Xfinity Series under the lights at Bristol.”
—Chris Rice, President of Kaulig Racing
Queen’s Track Record and Double Duty Weekend
Queen, a Chesapeake, Virginia native, is no stranger to success at the grassroots level, having claimed three consecutive track championships at Langley Speedway from 2020 to 2022 in Late Model Stock Car division. His strong results have generated buzz regarding his progression, especially as he prepares for a demanding weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway, where he will compete in both ARCA Menards Series and Xfinity Series events. Queen will pull double-duty: racing in the ARCA event on Thursday evening, followed by the Xfinity Food City 300 on Friday.
What to Expect at Bristol Motor Speedway
The Food City 300 is set for Friday, September 12, at 7:30 PM ET. Spectators can follow the action on The CW, Performance Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Kaulig Racing’s decision to bring Brenden Queen into the Xfinity Series highlights their commitment to developing new talent within the NASCAR pipeline, and all eyes will be on Queen as he looks to make an immediate impact on one of the sport’s most iconic half-mile racetracks. Queen’s versatility, experience on short tracks, and proven results in multiple series suggest a promising debut, with notable organizations—including TRICON Garage and Pinnacle Racing Group—watching his progress closely.
