Buddy Kofoid

Last updated
Michael "Buddy" Kofoid
BornMichael Kofoid
(2001-12-02) December 2, 2001 (age 22)
Penngrove, California [1]
USAC National Midget Series career
Debut season2018
Current teamKeith Kunz/Curb-Agajanian Motorsports [1]
Car number67
Engine Toyota
Crew chiefJarrett Martin [1]
Championships2 (2021, 2022)
Wins36
Best finish1st in 2021, 2022
Finished last season1st
Previous series
2019 to present POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series
Championship titles
2021-2022 USAC National Midget Series
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
2 races run over 1 year
2022 position45th
Best finish45th (2022)
First race 2022 Pinty's Truck Race on Dirt (Bristol Dirt)
Last race 2022 Clean Harbors 150 (Knoxville)
WinsTop tens Poles
000
ARCA Menards Series career
1 race run over 1 year
Best finish71st (2022)
First race 2022 Atlas 100 (Illinois State Fairgrounds)
WinsTop tens Poles
010
Last updated on: November 5, 2022.

Michael "Buddy" Kofoid (born December 2, 2001) is an American professional dirt track and stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the USAC National Midget Series and POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget Series, driving for Keith Kunz Motorsports. He is the 2021 and 2022 USAC National Midget Series champion. He also competed part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 51 Toyota Tundra for Kyle Busch Motorsports, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 15 Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports. He also has competed with the NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws Sprint car Series. He collected his first Win at Husets Speedway on June 23, 2022.

Contents

Early career

Kofoid began racing at the age of 5, driving outlaw cars. [2] He began driving sprint cars after receiving his first one when he was 10. [3] He was the youngest driver to win a sprint car A-Main in the New Zealand National Sprint Car Series in 2013, at 11-years old. [4] He competed full-time in the Western Sprint Tour when he was 13, finishing 2nd in the final standings. [5] He won a sprint car race at Placerville Speedway in 2016, which made him the youngest person in history to win at the track. [6] Throughout most of his career, Kofoid primarily competes in sprint car and midget car racing events, and occasionally late model races.

United States Auto Club

Kofoid attempted to make his USAC National Midget Series debut in 2018, but would fail to qualify. [7] In 2019, he joined Keith Kunz Motorsports for a part-time effort. He would win in his first career national midget car debut, at Jacksonville Speedway. [8] On December 14, 2019, Kofoid would sign a full time effort in the USAC National Midget Series with Keith Kunz Motorsports in 2020, and compete for Rookie of the Year honors. [9] He would pull off an impressive season, scoring 3 wins, 14 top 5s, and 22 top 10s. He finished 4th in the final standings, and winning Rookie of the Year. [10] He would have a breakout season in 2021, finishing inside the top 10 in all but three races. He would win the championship with 6 wins, 28 top 5s, and 37 top 10s. [11] He would also win two more titles that season, the USAC Indiana Midget Week, [12] and the Make-A-Wish Trophy Cup. [13] As of 2022, Kofoid will continue to race full time with KKM, and defend for a second championship. [14]

POWRi Midget Racing

Kofoid made his POWRi Midget Racing debut in 2019, driving in two races. He finished 2nd and 3rd in both races. [15] He drove in 16 races for KKM in 2020. Despite not driving in four of the races, he managed to finish 4th in final standings, with 7 wins, 12 top 5s, and 12 top 10s. [16] He ran half of the season in 2021, scoring 9 wins, 14 top 5s, and 15 top 10s. [17] As of 2022, he will continue running part-time for KKM.

Late models

In 2021, Kofoid made his debut in late model racing. He ran two races for Racing Dynamiks, finishing 12th in his first race. He would finish 3rd in his second late model start at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. [18]

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West

In 2018, Kofoid signed with Gary Thackeray, and drove in a one off race with his team in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway Dirt Track. He started 15th and finished 21st due to a mechanical issue. [19]

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

On March 31, 2022, it was announced that Kofoid will make his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series debut at the 2022 Pinty's Truck Race on Dirt, driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports. Kofoid will drive with the same chassis that Martin Truex Jr. drove in the 2021 Pinty's Truck Race on Dirt, where he led 105 laps and won the race. [20] Kofoid started 32nd due to an overheating issue during qualifying races. He quickly made his way to the front, and ran as high as 3rd in the final stage. He would finish 27th, after spinning in turn 2. Fellow driver, Derek Kraus, would run into the back of Kofoid's truck, as he was trying to avoid the wreck.

ARCA Menards Series

On August 9, 2022, it was announced that Kofoid will make his ARCA Menards Series debut at the Illinois State Fairgrounds Racetrack, driving the No. 15 for Venturini Motorsports. [21]

SprintCar Racing in New Zealand

Throughout 2018 and 2019, Kofoid raced throughout New Zealand in SprintCars with Daniel Anderson Racing. This trip proved successful, as he came away with the New Zealand SprintCar Title in 2019.

NOS Energy Drink World of Outlaws SprintCar Series

Personal life

Kofoid is a fan of 20 time World of Outlaws champion Steve Kinser and NASCAR drivers Kyle Larson and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Kofoid is currently a member of the Toyota Racing Development program. [2]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Camping World Truck Series

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920212223NCWTCPtsRef
2022 Kyle Busch Motorsports 51 Toyota DAY LVS ATL COA MAR BRI
27
DAR KAN TEX CLT GTW SON KNX
11
NSH MOH POC IRP RCH KAN BRI TAL HOM PHO 45th40 [22]

K&N Pro Series West

NASCAR K&N Pro Series West results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314NKNPSWCPtsRef
2018 Gary Thackeray83 Chevy KCR TUS TUS OSS CNS SON DCS IOW EVG GTW LVS
21
MER AAS KCR 58th23 [23]

ARCA Menards Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led. ** – All laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920AMSCPtsRef
2022 Venturini Motorsports 15 Toyota DAY PHO TAL KAN CLT IOW BLN ELK MOH POC IRP MCH GLN ISF
2
MLW DSF KAN BRI SLM TOL 71st42 [24]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Jason Leffler</span> American racing driver

Jason Charles Leffler was an American professional open-wheel and stock car racing driver. Leffler began racing in the open-wheel ranks, competing in the 2000 Indianapolis 500 before moving to primarily NASCAR competition. He died from injuries sustained in a 410 sprint car race at Bridgeport Speedway in Bridgeport, New Jersey.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">J. J. Yeley</span> American racing driver (born 1976)

Christopher Beltram Hernandez "J. J." Yeley is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 44 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for NY Racing Team and part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series driving the No. 14 Chevrolet Camaro for SS-Green Light Racing, and the No. 35 Toyota for Joey Gase Motorsports. He has previously competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, what is now the ARCA Menards Series, and what is now the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour as well as the IndyCar Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tracy Hines</span> American racing driver

Tracy Lee Hines is an American professional stunt driver. He was the 2000 USAC Silver Crown Champion and 2002 USAC National Sprint Car Champion. He currently does not have a full-time ride in NASCAR as he competes for Tony Stewart Racing in three USAC series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pancho Carter</span> American racing driver (born 1950)

Duane Claude Carter Jr., nicknamed "Pancho," is an American retired open-wheel racing driver. Best known for his participation in Championship car racing, he won the pole position for the 1985 Indianapolis 500, and won the Michigan 500 in 1981.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bryan Clauson</span> American racing driver

Bryan Timothy Clauson was an American professional auto racing driver, best known for his achievements in dirt track open-wheel racing, such as USAC Silver Crown, Midget and Sprint cars. Clauson was increasingly seen competing with the World of Outlaws (WoO) sprint cars in his last couple of years. Clauson also competed in the NASCAR Nationwide Series, Indy Lights, and IndyCar Series and was a development driver for Chip Ganassi Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Josh Wise</span> American racing driver

Joshua Wise is an American former professional stock car racing and dirt track racing driver and athletic trainer. He is currently a trainer for Chevrolet's development program for upcoming drivers and oversees driver development for Pinnacle Racing Group.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dakoda Armstrong</span> American racing driver

Dakoda Armstrong is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 28 Toyota Camry for JGL Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brad Sweet</span> American sprint car and stock car driver

Bradley Kirk Sweet is an American professional race car driver and a veteran of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, driving the No. 49 for Kasey Kahne Racing, where he has earned the nickname 'The Big Cat'. Sweet was formerly a JR Motorsports development driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kevin Swindell</span> American racing driver

Kevin Swindell is an American former racing driver and entrepreneur, who has competed in USAC and NASCAR competition. He has won 77 races in various dirt racing series including the Chili Bowl Nationals. Swindell is the son of three time World of Outlaws Sprint Car champion Sammy Swindell. Swindell owns and operates Swindell Speedlab, a clothing brand as well as Victory Fuel, a brand of flavored water.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rico Abreu</span> American racing driver

Rico Emanuel Abreu is an American professional dirt track and sprint car racing driver. Abreu won the 2014 USAC National Midget Series championship, and previously competed in the K&N Pro Series East in 2015 scoring one win.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Christopher Bell (racing driver)</span> American racing driver

Christopher David Bell is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 20 Toyota Camry XSE for Joe Gibbs Racing, part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 20 Toyota GR Supra for JGR, and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 1 Toyota Tundra for Tricon Garage. He is the 2017 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tanner Thorson</span> American racing driver

Tanner Delbert Thorson is an American professional dirt track racing driver. He competes in the United States Auto Club (USAC) and World of Outlaws. Thorson has also competed in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, last driving the Nos. 12 and 20 Chevrolet Silverados for Young's Motorsports in 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chris Windom</span> American auto racing driver

Christopher R. Windom is an American professional racing driver. Windom was the seventh driver to complete a United States Auto Club (USAC) Triple Crown by winning titles in sprint cars, midget cars, and Silver Crown.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Logan Seavey</span> American auto racing driver

Logan Norman Seavey is an American professional stock car racing driver. He currently competes part-time in the World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series, driving the No. 5B for Chase Briscoe Racing and full-time in the USAC P1 Insurance National Midget Championship for Keith Kunz Motorsports driving the No. 67 with support from Toyota Racing Development.

David Gravel is an American professional racing driver. He last competed full-time in the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series, driving the No. 2 Maxim for Big Game Motorsports, in the NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series, driving the No. 24 Chevrolet Silverado for GMS Racing, and in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 28 Chevrolet SS for KBR Development. Gravel won the Knoxville Nationals in 2019.

Holley Hollan is an American professional stock car racing driver. She last competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series West and ARCA Menards Series East, driving the No. 50 Toyota Camry for Bill McAnally Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2022 Pinty's Truck Race on Dirt</span> Sixth race of the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series

The 2022 Pinty's Truck Race on Dirt was the sixth stock car race of the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series and the second iteration of the event. The race was held on Saturday, April 16, 2022, at a dirt version of Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee, a 0.553 miles (0.890 km) permanent oval-shaped short track. The race was contested over 150 laps. Ben Rhodes of ThorSport Racing would win the race, after passing Carson Hocevar for the lead with 4 laps to go. He would also win both stages, and lead 95 laps. This was Rhodes' sixth career truck series win, and his first of the season. To fill out the podium, Carson Hocevar of Niece Motorsports and John Hunter Nemechek of Kyle Busch Motorsports would finish 2nd and 3rd, respectively.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brent Crews</span> American racing driver

Brent Crews is an American professional dirt track and stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the SCCA Trans-Am TA2 ProAm Series, driving the No. 70 Ford Mustang for Nitro Motorsports, full-time in the CARS Late Model Stock Tour, driving the No. 29 Toyota Camry for Kevin Harvick Incorporated, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 20 Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports. He is currently a member of Toyota Racing Development's TD2 driver development program.

Kaylee Rae Bryson is an American racing driver. She competes full-time for Sam Pierce Racing in both the Trans-Am Series and USAC Silver Crown Series, driving the Nos. 02 and 26 Chevrolets respectively. Bryson is best known for being the first female driver to advance to the A-Main feature race at the Chili Bowl Nationals, as well as the first woman to win a USAC National Series feature race.

Taylor Reimer is an American racing driver. A member of the Toyota Racing Development program, she competes part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 55 BuzzBallz Toyota Camry for Venturini Motorsports.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Murray, Richie (January 25, 2022). "Buddy Kofoid Aims to Defend USAC Midget Title in 2022". www.floracing.com. Retrieved April 17, 2022.
  2. 1 2 "Toyota Dirt Driver Spotlight: Buddy Kofoid". Speedway Digest. February 9, 2022. Retrieved April 15, 2022.
  3. "Meet Buddy Kofoid". Toyota Racing. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  4. "Buddy Kofoid - FloRacing". FloRacing. 5 August 2020. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  5. "Michael Kofoid - Results - Western Sprit Tour". thethirdturn.com. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  6. "Kofoid makes track history". Mountain Democrat. July 10, 2016. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  7. "Michael Kofoid - Results - USAC P1 Insurance Midget National Championship". thethirdturn.com. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  8. Seelman, Jacob (September 21, 2019). "Kofoid Snags Jacksonville Summer Midget Win". Speed Sport. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  9. Seelman, Jacob (December 14, 2019). "KKM Inks Buddy Kofoid for Full USAC Season". Speed Sport. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  10. "Michael Kofoid - Results - USAC NOS Energy Drink Midget National Championship". thethirdturn.com. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  11. Essex, James (December 31, 2021). "Kofoid captures USAC Midget title for Columbus-based race team". The Tribune. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  12. Seelman, Jacob (June 13, 2021). "Kofoid Denies Seavey For Indiana Midget Week Title". Speed Sport. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  13. Rodda, Ron (October 24, 2021). "Trophy Cup Belongs to Kofoid". Speed Sport. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  14. Murray, Richie (January 25, 2022). "Buddy Kofoid Aims to Defend USAC Midget Title in 2022". FloRacing. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  15. "Michael Kofoid - Results - 2019 POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League". thethirdturn.com. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  16. "Michael Kofoid - Results - 2020 POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League". thethirdturn.com. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  17. "Michael Kofoid - Results - 2021 POWRi Lucas Oil National Midget League". thethirdturn.com. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  18. "Toyota Partners With Racing Dynamiks To Field Bryson And Kofoid On Asphalt". Oval Track News. February 12, 2021. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  19. "Michael Kofoid - Results - 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West". thethirdturn.com. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  20. Sturniolo, Zach (March 31, 2022). "Buddy Kofoid to make Truck debut with KBM at Bristol dirt". NBC Sports. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  21. Kristl, Mark (2022-08-09). "Buddy Kofoid Making ARCA Debut at Springfield". Frontstretch.com. Retrieved 2022-08-16.
  22. "Buddy Kofoid - 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  23. "Buddy Kofoid - 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 14, 2022.
  24. "Buddy Kofoid - 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 9, 2023.