Thad Moffitt

Last updated
Thad Moffitt
Thad Moffitt Las Vegas 2024.jpg
Moffitt at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024
BornThaddeus Drake Moffitt
(2000-09-12) September 12, 2000 (age 24)
Trinity, North Carolina, U.S.
Achievements2016 Southeast Limited Late Model Series Challenger Division Champion
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
21 races run over 2 years
2024 position32nd
Best finish32nd (2024)
First race 2022 NextEra Energy 250 (Daytona)
Last race 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race (Phoenix)
WinsTop tens Poles
000
ARCA Menards Series career
45 races run over 6 years
ARCA no., teamNo. 46 (Nitro Motorsports)
Best finish4th (2021)
First race 2017 Music City 200 (Nashville Fairgrounds)
Last race 2022 General Tire 200 (Talladega)
WinsTop tens Poles
0260
ARCA Menards Series East career
3 races run over 1 year
Best finish15th (2021)
First race 2021 Shore Lunch 150 (Iowa)
Last race 2021 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
WinsTop tens Poles
020
ARCA Menards Series West career
1 race run over 1 year
Best finish38th (2021)
First race 2021 General Tire 150 (Phoenix)
WinsTop tens Poles
010
Statistics current as of November 8, 2024.

Thaddeus Drake Moffitt (born September 12, 2000) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 46 Toyota for Nitro Motorsports. He previously competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

Contents

Racing career

Early career

Growing up in a racing family, Moffitt cut his teeth in go-karts at age fourteen and later moved up to quarter midgets and limited late models, [1] running at tracks like Caraway Speedway and Ace Speedway. [2] Speaking about having racers in the family, he said that advice will be given upon request but also that older relatives wanted him to develop without help. [3] Moffitt was the 2016 Southeast Limited Late Model champion [4] and won his first late model race earlier that year. [5]

ARCA Menards Series

Moffitt's No. 46 car at Pocono Raceway in 2018 Thad Moffitt Pocono 2018.jpg
Moffitt's No. 46 car at Pocono Raceway in 2018

Moffitt made his ARCA Racing Series debut in April 2017 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, driving a car reminiscent of one driven by his grandfather Richard Petty, for Empire Racing, a satellite team of Richard Petty Motorsports. [6] He ran a total of three races in 2017. [7] Moffitt's best finish was eleventh, at Lucas Oil Raceway. [8]

In early 2018, Moffitt tested at Daytona International Speedway [7] and announced races at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Lucas Oil with the potential for more races to be added later in the year. [1] In his second start of the year, at Salem Speedway, Moffitt was involved in two incidents, one with Natalie Decker and one with Jack Dossey III. [9] Moffitt rebounded from a mid-race spin in his next race to claim his first top ten, finishing tenth in the race at Toledo. [10]

On January 9, 2020, it was announced that Moffitt would join DGR-Crosley for the season-opening race at Daytona, [11] and would then run all races on the schedule until sponsorship dried up, plus Memphis, which the team had previously signed a sponsor for. He claimed three top-five finishes over thirteen races, with a career-best finish of fourth at Memphis.

Moffitt's No. 46 car at Pocono Raceway in 2021 Thad moffitt (51278168145).jpg
Moffitt's No. 46 car at Pocono Raceway in 2021

In January 2021, it was announced that Moffitt would return to ARCA with the renamed David Gilliland Racing team for at least eleven races that year. [12] He proceeded to compete in almost the entire season, only being replaced by Taylor Gray for the dirt races and Canadian J. P. Bergeron for the final two events. At Michigan, Moffitt was involved in controversy after his retaliation attempt against Drew Dollar for a previous wreck that resulted in a crash that injured Tim Richmond. [13]

On January 7, 2025, it was announced that Moffitt would return to running ARCA full time with Nitro Motorsports. [14]

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

On February 10, 2022, it was announced that Moffitt would make his Camping World Truck Series debut at Daytona for Reaume Brothers Racing in collaboration with GMS Racing, running a paint scheme that pays tribute to Richard Petty's 1992 retirement season. [15]

Moffitt's No. 46 truck at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024. Thad Moffitt 46 Truck Las Vegas 2024.jpg
Moffitt's No. 46 truck at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024.

On December 9, 2023, Moffitt was announced as the full-time driver for the new NASCAR team, Faction46, in the No. 46 Chevrolet for the upcoming 2024 season. [16] [17] [18] [19] On June 28, 2024, prior to the race at Nashville Superspeedway, Moffitt had a medical emergency and the team substituted Dawson Cram as the driver of the No. 46 truck. On July 8, 2024, Faction46 team owner Lane Moore officially shut down the team due to financial constraints. On July 10, 2024 Young's Motorsports officially announced that Moffitt would drive the No. 46 at Pocono Raceway and the remainder of the 2024 season, which is the same team he drove for at one point in 2022. On September 19, 2024, Moffit announced via X that due to lack of funding, he would not race for as much of the remainder of the 2024 season. Moffit returned to the No. 46 at Phoenix. He finished the season 32nd in the points standings, last of the ROTY Contenders.

Trans Am

In 2023, Moffitt would run the full schedule in the Trans Am Series, driving the No. 43 Chevrolet for TeamSLR with support from Petty's Garage in the TA2 class. He would earn six top-tens with a best finish of second at the second Detroit Street Circuit race on his way to finish seventh in the class standings. [20] [21]

Personal life

Moffitt was born on September 12, 2000, to Brian Moffitt and Rebecca Petty-Moffitt in Trinity, North Carolina. His mother, Rebecca, is the youngest daughter of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Richard Petty. Throughout his childhood, Moffitt played football and other organized sports. In his mid-teens, Moffitt began competing in Kart racing before moving to Late model racing in 2016. Moffitt had attended Wheatmore High School before deciding to switch to online schooling midway through his high school career. [2]

In 2019, Moffitt traveled to England to run a 1981 edition of grandfather Richard Petty's racecar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. [22]

Despite sharing the same last name, he is not related to fellow NASCAR competitor Brett Moffitt.

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.)

Craftsman Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920212223NCTCPtsRef
2022 Reaume Brothers Racing 43 Chevy DAY
18		 LVS
29		 ATL
32		 COA MAR BRD DAR KAN TEX CLT GTW SON 46th38 [23]
Young's Motorsports 20 Chevy KNX
31		 NSH MOH POC IRP RCH KAN BRI TAL HOM PHO
2024 Faction46 46 Chevy DAY
36		 ATL
26		 LVS
25		 BRI
26		 COA
32		 MAR
27		 TEX
32		 KAN
24		 DAR
18		 NWS
31		 CLT
33		 GTW
28		 NSH 32nd138 [24]
Young's Motorsports POC
29		 IRP
32		 RCH
33		 MLW
32		 BRI KAN TAL HOM MAR PHO
27

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

ARCA Menards Series

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

ARCA Menards Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920AMSCPtsRef
2017 Empire Racing 46 Ford DAY NSH
16		 SLM TAL TOL
23		 ELK POC MCH MAD IOW IRP
11		 POC WIN ISF ROA DSF SLM CHI KEN KAN 45th440 [25]
2018 DAY NSH
14		 SLM
16		 TAL TOL
10		 CLT POC
25		 MCH MAD GTW CHI IOW ELK POC ISF BLN DSF SLM 26th780 [26]
Chevy IRP
15		 KAN
2019 DAY
27		 FIF SLM TAL
25		 NSH
9		 TOL CLT
10		 POC MCH MAD GTW
9		23rd1110 [27]
Ford CHI
9		 ELK IOW POC
11		 ISF DSF SLM IRP KAN
2020 DGR-Crosley 46 Ford DAY
5		 PHO
18		 TAL
6		 POC
20		 IRP
5		 KEN
15		 IOW
10		 KAN
10		 TOL
12		 TOL
8		 MCH
9		 DRC
11		 GTW L44 TOL BRI WIN MEM
4		 ISF KAN 9th539 [28]
2021 David Gilliland Racing DAY
21		 PHO
3		 TAL
6		 KAN
6		 TOL
5		 CLT
7		 MOH
3		 POC
5		 ELK
9		 BLN
12		 IOW
6		 WIN
4		 GLN
11		 MCH
8		 ISF MLW
9		 DSF BRI
25		 SLM KAN 4th666 [29]
2022 Ferrier-McClure Racing 44 Chevy DAY PHO TAL
4		 KAN CLT IOW BLN ELK MOH POC IRP MCH GLN ISF MLW DSF KAN BRI SLM TOL 74th40 [30]
2025 Nitro Motorsports 46 Toyota DAY PHO TAL KAN CLT MCH BLN ELK LRP DOV IRP IOW GLN ISF MAD DSF BRI SLM KAN TOL -*-*

ARCA Menards Series East

ARCA Menards Series East results
YearTeamNo.Make12345678AMSECPtsRef
2021 David Gilliland Racing 46 Ford NSM FIF NSV DOV SNM IOW
6		 MLW
9		 BRI
25		15th143 [31]
2025 Nitro Motorsports 46 Toyota FIF CAR NSH FRS DOV IRP IOW BRI -*-*

ARCA Menards Series West

ARCA Menards Series West results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112AMSWCPtsRef
2021 David Gilliland Racing 46 Ford PHO
3		 SON IRW CNS IRW PIR LVS AAS PHO 38th42 [32]
2025 Nitro Motorsports 46 Toyota KER PHO TUC CNS KER SON TRI PIR AAS MAD LVS PHO -*-*

Related Research Articles

Shigeaki "Shige" Hattori is a Japanese professional race car driver and team owner based in the United States. As a driver, he competed in the CART and IndyCar Series, and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. He is not related to Naoki Hattori, whom he briefly raced against in CART.

Jeffrey McClure is an American former stock car racing driver who raced for multiple years in all three major NASCAR series as well as what is now the ARCA Menards Series. McClure has been involved in the ARCA after his driving days are over, working as a team owner and most recently as a crew chief.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Grant Enfinger</span> American racing driver (born 1985)

Grant McArthur Enfinger is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 9 Chevrolet Silverado for CR7 Motorsports. Before moving up to the Truck Series, Enfinger won the 2015 ARCA Racing Series series championship with GMS Racing.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">GMS Racing</span> American stock car racing team

GMS Racing was an American professional stock car racing team that competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, fielding three Chevrolet Silverado trucks: the No. 23 for Grant Enfinger, the No. 24 for Rajah Caruth, and the No. 43 for Daniel Dye.

Hattori Racing Enterprises (HRE) is a Japanese-American professional stock car racing team that currently competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Owned by former NASCAR and open-wheel driver Shigeaki Hattori, the team competes part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series with the No. 16 Toyota Tundra driven by multiple drivers, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series West with Sean Hingorani driving the No. 61 Toyota Camry. The team previously competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and ARCA Menards Series East.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">AM Racing</span> American stock car racing team

AM Racing is an American professional stock car racing team that competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series fielding the No. 15 Ford Mustang Dark Horse full-time for Harrison Burton. They also compete in the ARCA Menards Series fielding the No. 32 Ford Mustang. The team also had a technical alliance with Stewart–Haas Racing. The team used to compete the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series fielding the No. 22 Ford F-150 part-time for multiple drivers.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Austin Hill</span> American racing driver (born 1994)

Austin Edward Hill is an American professional stock car racing driver and former team owner. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 21 Chevrolet Camaro for Richard Childress Racing and part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 33 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for the same team. Hill previously owned NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series team Austin Hill Racing from 2013 to 2017.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Young's Motorsports</span> American auto race team

Young's Motorsports is an American professional stock car racing team that competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and the ARCA Menards Series. In the Xfinity Series, they field the No. 42 Chevrolet Camaro for TBA. In the Truck Series, they field the No. 02 Chevrolet Silverado full-time for TBA. In the ARCA Menards Series, they field the No. 02 Chevrolet SS part-time for TBA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tricon Garage</span> American auto race team

Tricon Garage, formerly known as David Gilliland Racing, DGR-Crosley, and Team DGR, is an American professional stock car racing team that competes in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The team was founded in early 2017 when racing team owners David Gilliland and Bo LeMastus came together to form a collaborative effort from their respective teams, David Gilliland Racing and Crosley Sports Group, known as DGR-Crosley. DGR-Crosley fielded Toyotas in 2018 and 2019 before announcing its switch to Ford starting in 2020. The team reverted to the David Gilliland Racing name in 2021 as Johnny Gray became a co-owner. Former co-owner and driver Bo LeMastus remained with the team in a marketing and sponsorship capacity.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zane Smith (racing driver)</span> American racing driver (born 1999)

Zane Michael Smith is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. 38 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Front Row Motorsports. He is the 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series champion, a title he earned while driving for FRM.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Chandler Smith</span> American racing driver (born 2002)

Chandler Michael Smith Sr. is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. TBA Ford F-150 for Front Row Motorsports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sam Mayer</span> American racing driver (born 2003)

Samuel Adam Mayer is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 41 Ford Mustang for Haas Factory Team. His father is the founder of QPS Employment Group, and former IndyCar Series driver, Scott Mayer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2020 ARCA Menards Series</span> 68th season of the ARCA Racing Series

The 2020 ARCA Menards Series season was the 68th season of the ARCA Menards Series. It began on February 8 with the Lucas Oil 200 at Daytona International Speedway and ended on October 16 with the Speediatrics 150 at Kansas Speedway. 2020 was the first season that the series was sanctioned by NASCAR.

Empire Racing Group is an American professional stock car racing team that currently competes in the ARCA Menards Series, fielding the No. 8 Chevrolet and Fords for driver Sean Corr and in late models with various drivers. They have also competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the past.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Toni Breidinger</span> American model and racing driver (born 1999)

Antoinette Marie Breidinger is an American professional stock car racing driver and model. She competes full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 5 Toyota Tundra for Tricon Garage. She has also competed in the ARCA Menards Series, ARCA Menards Series East, and ARCA Menards Series West.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ryan Huff</span> American racing driver

Ryan James Huff is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 36 Toyota Tundra, and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 36 Ford Fusion both for his own team, Ryan Huff Motorsports.

Kristofer Cole Wright is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro for Our Motorsports. He has also previously competed in sports car racing, open-wheel racing, the Euroformula Open Championship, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and ARCA Menards Series. Wright is also the 2018 IMSA Prototype Challenge LMP3 class champion.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2021 ARCA Menards Series</span> 69th season of the ARCA Menards Series

The 2021 ARCA Menards Series season was the 69th season of the ARCA Menards Series, a stock car racing series sanctioned by NASCAR in the United States. The season began at Daytona International Speedway with the Lucas Oil 200 on February 13 and ended with the Reese's 150 at Kansas Speedway on October 23. Ty Gibbs was crowned the series champion, having won ten times and finished in the top four in 19 of 20 races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sammy Smith</span> American racing driver (born 2004)

Samuel L. Smith is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports, and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Greg Van Alst</span> American racing driver

Gregory Michael Van Alst is an American professional stock car racing driver and team owner. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 35 for Joey Gase Motorsports with Scott Osteen.

References

  1. 1 2 "Thad Moffitt to Race ARCA Racing Series Events and Late Model with Performance Plus Motor Oil". Speedway Digest. March 16, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  2. 1 2 Hardin, Ed (May 22, 2018). "Ed Hardin: Thad Moffitt, Richard Petty's grandson, is racing to catch up". Winston-Salem Journal. BH Media Group. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
  3. ↑ "4th-gen Petty...Thad Moffitt first to file entry for Nashville". ARCAracing.com . Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  4. ↑ Weaver, Matt (April 4, 2017). "Richard Petty's grandson, Thad Moffitt, will make his ARCA debut this weekend". Autoweek . Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  5. ↑ Marquis, Andy. "Thad Moffitt Continues the Petty Family Legacy in Late Models". Short Track Scene. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  6. ↑ "Thad Moffitt has helmet fit for 'The King' in ARCA debut". NASCAR.com . 8 April 2017. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  7. 1 2 McFadin, Daniel (January 13, 2018). "Thad Moffitt, Richard Petty's grandson, makes Daytona debut in ARCA test". NASCAR on NBC . NBC Sports . Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  8. ↑ "Thad Moffitt Set For Three ARCA Events". Speed Sport. March 16, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  9. ↑ de la Bastide, Ken (April 22, 2018). "Eckes gets ARCA win at Salem". The Herald Bulletin. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  10. ↑ Eberly, Brian (May 20, 2018). "Thad Moffitt Recovers From Spin to Earn First ARCA Top-10". Motorsports Tribune. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  11. ↑ Tomlinson, Joy (January 9, 2020). "Thad Moffitt Joins DGR-Crosley". Frontstretch. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
  12. ↑ Koelle, Christian (January 23, 2021). "Taylor Gray and Thad Moffitt Return to David Gilliland Racing in 2021; Add Joey Iest to East Lineup". Kickin' the Tires. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  13. ↑ Walters, Shane (August 21, 2021). "Racing driver suffers broken leg following retaliation at Michigan (Video)". RacingNews.co. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  14. ↑ "Thad Moffitt and Nitro Motorsports set for full 2025 ARCA Menards Series season". ARCAracing.com. January 7, 2025. Retrieved January 9, 2025.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ↑ Srigley, Joseph (February 10, 2022). "Thad Moffitt Competing Part-Time in Trucks with Reaume Brothers Racing, Driving No. 43 at Daytona". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
  16. ↑ Christie, Toby (December 9, 2023). "Thad Moffitt Officially Announced as Faction46 NASCAR Truck Driver". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  17. ↑ "Thad Moffitt Running Full Truck Schedule for Faction46". Frontstretch. December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  18. ↑ "Thad Moffitt to compete full-time in Truck Series with Faction46". NASCAR.com. December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  19. ↑ "Petty family member Thad Moffitt joins NASCAR Truck Series in 2024". Motorsport.com. December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  20. ↑ "That Moffitt Joins Trans AM TA2 Class". Speed Sport. December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Pair of Solid Top-Fives for TeamSLR in Detroit Race No. 2". TeamSLR. June 4, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
  22. ↑ "Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019: oddities and unexpected gems". Autocar. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
  23. ↑ "Thad Moffitt – 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
  24. ↑ "Thad Moffitt – 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Thad Moffitt – 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
  26. ↑ "Thad Moffitt – 2018 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  27. ↑ "Thad Moffitt – 2019 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Thad Moffitt – 2020 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  29. ↑ "Thad Moffitt – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Thad Moffitt – 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  31. ↑ "Thad Moffitt – 2021 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
  32. ↑ "Thad Moffitt – 2021 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.