Connor Hall’s Quest for History in Late Model Stock Car Racing
As the zMAX CARS Tour approaches its penultimate race of the 2024 season at Tri County Speedway, all eyes are on Connor Hall, a driver poised to achieve a remarkable feat in Late Model Stock Car racing. Hall, who recently clinched the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series national championship for the second consecutive year, is leading the CARS Tour points standings by a razor-thin margin of just one point over fellow Tidewater competitor Brenden “Butterbean” Queen. With the stakes higher than ever, the upcoming races promise to be a thrilling showdown between two talented drivers with deep roots in the sport.
The Tight Race for the Championship
Hall’s journey to this pivotal moment has been nothing short of impressive. With 18 wins across five different tracks in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, he has solidified his place among the elite, becoming only the fourth driver to win back-to-back national titles. This exclusive club includes legends like Larry Phillips, Philip Morris, and Lee Pulliam, making Hall’s achievement all the more significant.
However, the road ahead is fraught with challenges. The remaining tracks on the CARS Tour are both located in the western regions of North Carolina, where Queen has previously triumphed. Hall acknowledges the difficulty of the task ahead but remains optimistic. “I feel good,” he stated. “We had a good third or fourth place last time [at Tri County], and that was really early in the year. I think we’ve only gotten better since.”
Brenden Queen: A Formidable Rival
Brenden Queen is not one to be underestimated. Driving for Lee Pulliam Performance, he brings a wealth of experience and confidence to the track. Queen has a proven track record at Tri County Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway, where he secured a victory in 2023. “I always feel confident in Lee Pulliam Performance,” Queen said. “They always bring fast cars. Tri County’s been a really good track for us, but you’ve got to make sure you get the right tires, you gotta have a lot of luck, and you’ve got to be good.”
Queen’s insights highlight the competitive nature of the CARS Tour, where even the slightest misstep can cost a driver the race. “If you’re just a little bit off in this series, you’re not going to win. You’ve got to be perfect,” he emphasized.
The Legacy of Langley Speedway
Both Hall and Queen have their roots firmly planted in Langley Speedway, a track known for its challenging conditions and competitive field. Hall’s success in 2024 has been largely attributed to his performances at this flat, 0.396-mile oval, where he not only clinched seven of his 18 wins but also secured his lone victory in the CARS Tour season.
Reflecting on their shared background, Hall remarked, “I’ve always thought Langley had a good late model field for the weekly stuff. If you can run well consistently in the weekly stuff there, you have a good shot to perform elsewhere.” Queen, a three-time Langley Speedway track champion, echoed this sentiment, crediting his experiences racing against seasoned competitors like seven-time champion Greg Edwards for shaping his skills.
The Pressure of Championship Glory
As the championship battle intensifies, both drivers are acutely aware of what’s at stake. For Hall, winning the CARS Tour championship would be a crowning achievement, especially if he can secure both the CARS Tour and NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series titles in the same season. “It’s not been done, so it would obviously be amazing,” he said. “We’ve had a couple of bad races lately that have opened the door for the points battle to be closer, so we need to just execute and have good luck these last two races.”
Conversely, Queen is equally motivated, having come painfully close to the championship last year. “Winning the CARS Tour championship would be the biggest thing I’ve ever done,” he stated. “I keep going back to the saying of last year when we came up a couple points short. It was like being in the Super Bowl and the other team’s confetti is spraying while you’re walking off the field. I don’t want to do that two years in a row.”
A Clash of Titans
As Hall and Queen prepare to face off in back-to-back races, the excitement is palpable. Both drivers have demonstrated their prowess on the track and have the experience needed to navigate the high-pressure environment of championship racing. With their shared history at Langley Speedway and their respective successes, this rivalry is set to captivate fans and create a memorable chapter in Late Model Stock Car racing history.
The upcoming races at Tri County Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway will not only determine the champion of the CARS Tour but also serve as a testament to the skill, determination, and resilience of two of the sport’s brightest stars. As they gear up for this monumental showdown, the racing world watches with bated breath, eager to see who will emerge victorious in this thrilling battle for supremacy.
