NASCAR Cup Series Spotter Derek Kneeland Set for ARCA East Debut at Hickory Motor Speedway

Hickory, NC – Derek Kneeland, a familiar voice in the NASCAR Cup Series garage as a spotter for Richard Childress Racing (RCR) drivers Kyle Busch and Austin Hill, is set to make his own competitive on-track debut in the ARCA Menards Series East. The 36-year-old racer will pilot the Pinnacle Racing Group (PRG) No. 28 machine in the season opener at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 28.

Kneeland has established himself as a key figure within the PRG driver development program, working closely with emerging talents such as Connor Mosack, Connor Zilisch, and Brenden Queen. His consistent involvement and recognized expertise have earned him the trust and respect of PRG co-owners Mark and Jerry Webb, leading to this opportunity to transition from his spotting duties to a driving role.

The path to this ARCA East start was a gradual one, initiated by conversations with Shane Huffman, PRG’s long-time crew chief. Huffman, who has been with the organization since its inception, noted Kneeland’s racing background and potential during discussions about his limited Pro Late Model appearances.

"So it starts with Shane Huffman, and he was the crew chief when I first started working with them, and has been there from the start of the organization," Kneeland told Motorsport.com. "We came out of the gate and were winning races with all those guys we just talked about and we were in the hauler one day talking about my last Late Model race. They (the Webbs and Huffman) were like, ‘man, you just need more laps,’ and I was like, ‘yeah, we’re just so limited with the NASCAR schedule,’ but Mark was convinced we needed to do it.”

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This idea of Kneeland competing in a series event resurfaced periodically over the past two years. However, it gained significant traction when Huffman contacted Kneeland following the Daytona ARCA Menards Series race, informing him that a driving opportunity was available for the Hickory event.

The initial offer was met with disbelief by Kneeland, who initially suspected it might be a prank. Upon confirmation of its legitimacy, the prospect of a national-level series start presented a complex logistical challenge. The ARCA East race at Hickory coincides with NASCAR Cup Series practice at Martinsville Speedway, where Kneeland serves as spotter for Kyle Busch, and the ARCA Menards Series race at the same venue, where he spots for Austin Hill.

Crucially, Kneeland’s participation required the blessing of his employers at Richard Childress Racing. The RCR organization, including its leadership and fellow drivers, reportedly encouraged Kneeland to seize the opportunity. Austin Hill and Kyle Busch readily provided their support, while drivers such as Jesse Love, Corey Heim, and Brenden Queen offered valuable advice and insights to prepare him for the transition.

"I feel like I’m the 16-year-old sponge that these kids are, coming in and trying to learn these cars and get all that information," Kneeland remarked. "Connor Mosack, who is a big part of that team, has a sim rig and is going to let me come over and get some laps and that can’t hurt."

Kneeland has been diligently preparing for his ARCA debut, conducting research into past racing events at Hickory Motor Speedway. His study includes footage from a 2011 Pro Cup race at the track, which he believes offers a more relevant chassis and aerodynamic platform compared to the Pro Late Models he has previously driven in the Pro All Stars Series at Hickory.

Beyond the logistical and preparatory hurdles, Kneeland expressed a degree of introspection regarding the opportunity. He acknowledged the numerous talented short-track racers in his native New England who, like himself, aspire to compete at higher levels.

"I’m just a short track guy from Maine, and I haven’t won a Late Model race up here, and people always say ‘Derek, you just don’t race enough’ and ‘you do good for as little as you get to run,’ yada, yada, yada," he stated. "I try to look at it like, I don’t want to use the excuse, because it’s just me. And I know there are so many deserving racers… I could rattle off 50 names right now that deserve a shot like this to go out there and showcase their talents. But at the same time, this team really values the job I’ve done for them, and they want to give something back to me for it.”

Kneeland emphasized that declining such an offer would be a misstep, considering the caliber of the team and the platform. PRG is recognized as one of the championship-contending teams in the ARCA Menards Series.

“This is a legit shot in top-notch equipment and it just goes back to just being thankful,” Kneeland said. “I hadn’t thought about the experience thing but it is nice and I have probably turned more laps there than a lot of drivers in the field but at the same time, there is a lot of tremendous talent in that field.”

He specifically mentioned drivers like Max Reeves, competing in a Joe Gibbs Racing entry, and his PRG teammate Tristan McKee as formidable competitors.

“So going into it, I feel like my back is already against the wall but I will get the same amount of practice as they do,” Kneeland concluded. “I’m going to lean on Tristan where I can and lean on the guys I rattled off earlier.”

Kneeland expressed gratitude for his current position in motorsports, balancing his Cup Series spotting responsibilities with this opportunity to compete. He anticipates the support of his wife and parents at Hickory Motor Speedway.

“I just couldn’t be more excited and fortunate for this opportunity because it’s once in a lifetime,” Kneeland stated. “I think a lot people watch on TV and they think anyone can go and do it. It’s like, ‘no, this costs a lot of money and tremendous personnel to get to the track and do all of these things.’ I’m just going to put my best foot forward and I’m going to soak it all in because this is probably going to be my one and done shot. I want to capture all the memories and get everything I can out of it.”

Hickory Motor Speedway, a historic half-mile oval, has a long-standing tradition in stock car racing, having hosted numerous significant events across various series. The ARCA Menards Series East season opener at this venue marks a significant moment for Kneeland as he navigates the transition to a competitive driving role at a national level.

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