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Derek Kneeland, a familiar voice in the NASCAR Cup Series as a spotter for Richard Childress Racing drivers Kyle Busch and Austin Hill, is preparing for a significant on-track transition. The 39-year-old racer will make his ARCA Menards Series East debut at Hickory Motor Speedway on Saturday, March 28, piloting the Pinnacle Racing Group (PRG) No. 28 machine. This move marks a notable step for Kneeland, who has consistently balanced his demanding spotting duties with a passion for competing in Pro Late Models when his NASCAR schedule allows.
Kneeland has been an integral part of PRG’s driver development program for several years, contributing his expertise to emerging talents such as Connor Mosack, Connor Zilisch, and Brenden Queen. His involvement with the team has fostered a strong relationship with owners Mark and Jerry Webb, who ultimately greenlit the opportunity for Kneeland to get behind the wheel of an ARCA car. The genesis of this opportunity, Kneeland explained, began with Shane Huffman, the initial crew chief for PRG and a foundational member of the organization.
"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."
The conversation evolved organically, with the PRG leadership recognizing Kneeland’s inherent racing acumen. "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," Kneeland recalled. This sentiment, that Kneeland required more seat time, resurfaced periodically over the past two years. However, the prospect of a concrete ARCA start solidified only recently.
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Huffman contacted Kneeland following the Daytona ARCA race, informing him that a seat was available for the Hickory event. The offer, delivered via phone, initially left Kneeland in a state of disbelief, comparing it to a prank reminiscent of the reality show "Punk’d." Yet, the offer was genuine, and the question posed was direct: "Do you want to do it?"
The immediate answer was affirmative, but the logistics presented a complex puzzle. The ARCA East race at Hickory coincided with NASCAR Cup Series practice at Martinsville, meaning Kneeland would miss valuable track time with Kyle Busch. Furthermore, it would conflict with Austin Hill’s O’Reilly Auto Parts Truck Series race. Securing the blessing of his employers at Richard Childress Racing was paramount.
Fortunately, the RCR organization was universally supportive. Kneeland reported that the consensus was that he would be making a significant error in judgment if he declined the opportunity. Both Austin Hill and Kyle Busch readily granted their approval. Additionally, fellow RCR-affiliated drivers Jesse Love and Corey Heim, along with Brenden Queen, provided valuable counsel and advice as Kneeland prepared for his ARCA debut.
"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 admitted, referencing his role in the PRG development program. "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 already immersed himself in race preparation, including studying footage of a 2011 Pro Cup race at Hickory. He identified this as a more relevant benchmark than Pro Late Model races he has contested at the track previously in the Pro All-Stars Series, given the distinct characteristics of the ARCA platform.
Beyond the logistical hurdles and the need for RCR’s endorsement, Kneeland also acknowledged a degree of internal hesitation. He expressed awareness of the numerous deserving drivers in his native New England who might also covet such an opportunity.
"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 this chance would be a disservice to the faith PRG has placed in him. He views this ARCA start, with one of the division’s championship-contending teams at a track that has historically presented unique challenges, as a significant equalizer.
"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 Max Reaves, driving for Joe Gibbs Racing, 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 continued. "I’m going to lean on Tristan where I can and lean on the guys I rattled off earlier."
Kneeland expressed profound contentment with his current racing career trajectory. He competes at the highest level of NASCAR on Sundays and now has the opportunity to race on a national stage with a top-tier team. His wife and parents are scheduled to attend the event at Hickory.
"I just couldn’t be more excited and fortunate for this opportunity because it’s once in a lifetime," Kneeland concluded. "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."
The ARCA Menards Series East season opener at Hickory Motor Speedway is scheduled to commence on Saturday, March 28. The event will feature practice sessions followed by qualifying and the main race. The field is expected to include a mix of established ARCA competitors and rising stars, all vying for an early advantage in the championship standings. Hickory Motor Speedway, a half-mile oval known for its tight racing and demanding turns, has been a staple on the ARCA calendar, hosting numerous memorable events throughout its history. The presence of Kneeland, a respected figure in the NASCAR garage, adds an intriguing narrative to the season opener.
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