Ben Maier Bio
Benjamin Maier, known professionally as Ben Maier, is an American professional auto racing driver born on December 28, 2008. A native of Chester, Maryland, he has built a reputation as a versatile young competitor across multiple touring and stock car series. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and full-time in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour, where he earned championship honors in his first full season.
Competing in a Chevrolet Silverado RST for Young’s Motorsports at the national level, Maier represents a new generation of short-track talents transitioning into NASCAR. His rapid rise through late model and sports car racing has positioned him as one of the more closely watched teenage prospects in American motorsports.
Early Life and Background
Benjamin Maier was born on December 28, 2008, in Chester, Maryland, a small community on the Eastern Shore region of the state. Growing up in a region with a strong tradition of grassroots motorsports, Maier was exposed to racing at an early age through local short tracks and regional events. The Mid-Atlantic racing scene provided a natural training ground for a young driver looking to sharpen his skills.
From his earliest days behind the wheel, Maier showed an aptitude for adapting quickly to different types of race cars. His family supported his development through karting and entry-level stock car programs, allowing him to build a foundation in race craft before stepping into higher-profile equipment. The combination of family encouragement and a competitive regional environment helped shape his path toward professional racing.
Path to NASCAR
Before reaching the national NASCAR stage, Maier gained experience in several diverse racing series. He competed in the Trans Am Series, the CRA JEGS All-Stars Tour, the Stadium Super Truck Series, and the Michelin Pilot Challenge. Each of these series demanded different skills, from the high-downforce road racing of Trans Am to the airborne jumps of Stadium Super Trucks and the endurance format of the Michelin Pilot Challenge.
In 2025, Maier committed to a full-time campaign in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour with Setzer Racing and Development. That decision proved pivotal, as he captured the series championship and the Rookie of the Year award despite not visiting victory lane during the season. His consistent performances across the schedule demonstrated the maturity of a driver well beyond his years and opened the door to opportunities in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series later that same year.
Ben Maier Career
Early Career
Maier’s early career was marked by steady progression through a variety of entry-level and development series. He logged starts in the Trans Am Series, where he became comfortable with sports car machinery and road course competition. His time in the CRA JEGS All-Stars Tour allowed him to refine his short-track racing fundamentals against experienced regional competitors.
Additional experience in the Stadium Super Truck Series and the Michelin Pilot Challenge broadened his racing portfolio. Stadium trucks taught him throttle control and the ability to manage unpredictable surfaces, while the Michelin Pilot Challenge introduced him to the discipline required for multi-class endurance events. These varied outings helped establish Maier as a well-rounded driver before his late model breakthrough.
CARS Pro Late Model Tour Breakthrough
The 2025 season marked Maier’s breakthrough year, as he ran the full CARS Pro Late Model Tour schedule with Setzer Racing and Development. Driving the No. 6M, he delivered one of the most consistent rookie campaigns in recent series history. Although he did not record a race win, his accumulation of strong finishes was enough to clinch the series championship and the Rookie of the Year award.
The championship validated Maier’s development path and gave him the credibility needed to attract interest from NASCAR team owners. His success on the late model tour also highlighted the strength of Setzer Racing and Development as a development platform, with the team providing the equipment and crew support necessary for a young driver to compete for a title.
Young’s Motorsports Era
During the 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, Maier made his national series debut at Lime Rock Park in the LiUNA! 150, driving the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado RST for Young’s Motorsports. The road course event represented a significant step up in competition and provided valuable seat time at one of the Truck Series’ most technical venues.
His rookie Truck Series campaign finished with a 48th-place ranking in the final 2025 standings. While the results reflected the typical learning curve of a teenage driver adjusting to national-level competition, the experience laid the groundwork for future opportunities. Maier continued to develop relationships within the Truck Series garage, building a foundation for additional starts as his career progresses.
Driving Style and Strengths
Maier has demonstrated particular comfort on road and street circuits, an attribute that traces back to his Trans Am and Michelin Pilot Challenge experience. His background in varied machinery has also given him a strong technical understanding of vehicle setup and feedback. Consistent finishes, rather than outright speed, defined his championship season in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour, suggesting a driver who values execution and patience.
Notable Races and Milestones
His 2025 Truck Series debut at Lime Rock Park in the LiUNA! 150 stands as a signature milestone, marking his first start in a NASCAR national series. The CARS Pro Late Model Tour championship that same year represented the most significant achievement of his young career, as did his Rookie of the Year recognition. Each of these moments underscored a steady climb through the American motorsports ladder.
Ben Maier Career Wins
At the national NASCAR level, Maier has not yet recorded a win in the Craftsman Truck Series. His primary victory-equivalent achievement remains the 2025 CARS Pro Late Model Tour championship, earned through consistency rather than race wins. As his career develops, additional wins in regional and national competition are expected to follow.
CARS Pro Late Model Tour Highlights
Maier’s 2025 CARS Pro Late Model Tour campaign produced the series championship and Rookie of the Year honors, both accomplished while driving the No. 6M for Setzer Racing and Development. Although he did not win an individual race, his points total reflected the most complete season of any driver in the field. The title served as a launching point into NASCAR’s national series.
Other Wins and Performances
Beyond his late model success, Maier has competed in the Trans Am Series, the CRA JEGS All-Stars Tour, the Stadium Super Truck Series, and the Michelin Pilot Challenge, gaining exposure to multiple racing disciplines. No specific race wins in these series have been verified for inclusion at this time.
Ben Maier Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly available information about Ben Maier’s immediate family and racing lineage is limited. He grew up in Chester, Maryland, with family support that enabled his early introduction to motorsports. Further details about parents or relatives involved in racing have not been confirmed.
Personal Life
Ben Maier resides in the United States and continues to focus on his developing racing career. Given his age, public details about a spouse or children are not applicable. His professional commitments currently center on advancing through the NASCAR ladder.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season served as Maier’s breakthrough campaign, headlined by his full-time run in the CARS Pro Late Model Tour. Driving the No. 6M for Setzer Racing and Development, he captured the series championship and Rookie of the Year honors, establishing himself as one of the top young talents in the late model ranks. The title run demonstrated remarkable consistency and race management from a driver in his first full season of touring competition.
On the national stage, Maier made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut at Lime Rock Park in the LiUNA! 150, driving the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado RST for Young’s Motorsports. The road course debut provided a valuable introduction to NASCAR’s national series environment, even as his 48th-place finish in the 2025 Truck Series standings reflected the typical challenges of a rookie adjustment period. The combination of a late model title and national series exposure made 2025 a foundational year for his career trajectory.
Looking ahead, Maier’s championship resume and expanding Truck Series experience position him for additional opportunities at the NASCAR national level. Continued development with established teams, combined with his versatility across track types, suggests a promising outlook as he builds on the momentum generated during the 2025 season.
