Kaden Honeycutt scores a dominant victory at Watkins Glen
- TSN MOTORSPORTS INSIDER
- May 9
- 2 min read
Kaden Honeycutt, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series points leader, began his busy doubleheader weekend at Watkins Glen International with a victory on Friday afternoon.
Due to inclement weather, Honeycutt started 15th in the General Tire 100 at the Glen, but he quickly advanced through the field. After taking the lead on Lap 13, Honeycutt drove smoothly and flawlessly to secure his first win in the national ARCA Menards Series.
Despite having less road course experience than other drivers, Honeycutt navigated Watkins Glen with the confidence of a seasoned veteran. From Honeycutt’s viewpoint, the efficiency of his first race at Watkins Glen on Friday was due to one main factor.
“I just think the key was an amazing car,” Honeycutt said. “I couldn’t have done it without [my team]. The car was phenomenal all day. I was a little bit free through the carousel, I had to work on that a little bit, but I think that was mostly on my end. Just a great car [and] all [these guys] do an amazing job.”
The No. 17 Bruce Cook-owned Toyota that Honeycutt drove on Friday is a car he has enjoyed plenty of success with before.
With four races remaining in the 2023 ARCA Menards Series West campaign, Honeycutt joined the No. 17 team co-owned by Cook, Steve and Brenn McGowan. Honeycutt proceeded to tally two victories in those four starts, which helped the team lock up the West Series owner’s title at Phoenix Raceway.
A lot has changed for Honeycutt since then, as he is now full-time in the Truck Series in the No. 11 Toyota for Tricon Garage, the same team that won 12 races and a title with Corey Heim last year. Due to his Truck Series commitments, Honeycutt had not attempted a race on the ARCA Menards Series platform since 2024.
It was only appropriate that Honeycutt's comeback to the ARCA Menards Series involved teaming up with Cook once more. The brief but strong chemistry they exhibited in 2023 was evident again, as Honeycutt clocked the fastest practice time by nearly a full second before securing a dominant victory.
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