Brenden Queen Enjoying Stellar ARCA Start, Looking Ahead to Oxford Debut

Brenden "Butterbean" Queen's rookie season in the ARCA Menards Series has proven to be a rewarding exprience.

First, last year's zMAX CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car champion won the Ride the 'Dente 200 at Daytona International Speedway to start the season. Last week, Queen proved the Daytona victory was no fluke, driving to the win at Kansas Speedway.

That success puts Queen in the points lead for the series ahead of its next event at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 23, part of the Coca-Cola 600 weekend.

Queen discussed the remarkable start to the year while appearing on The Bullring presented by Turn One.

“It’s been awesome," said Queen. "Obviously, we wish Talladega would have been the one that isn’t our mulligan right now and maybe had a bigger lead that we could have in the bank, but always good to be back on top and not behind. I’m excited going into Charlotte.

“Everything is just so different from what I’ve ever known. I’ve been Late Model racing since 2013 and making this next step was a dream of mine and being able to go out and perform is another childhood dream. We all deream of doing it, but actually going out and winning, knowing no matter what happens the rest of my career, I’ve won Daytona and a mile-and-a-half now. They can’t take it away."

Queen is also looking ahead to another new challenge – the Memorial Day Clash 200 at Oxford Plains Speedway. It will be his first Super Late Model event ever, at a track far away from his Virginia home.

The deal came together through the efforts of Queen’s ARCA spotter, Derek Kneeland. Kneeland, a Maine native, serves as Kyle Busch’s spotter at Richard Childress Racing in the NASCAR Cup Series, and also races when his busy schedule allows

“I’ve got to thank Derek Kneeland on that one. He doesn’t take now for an answer. He called me, and it was his deal. It’s a car under Mike [Bryant] and all those guys up there.

“I’m kind of lost going into it. I don’t know anything about it besides I know Oxford, I know Pro Lates and Super Lates, but I’ve never been to any of that or drove any of that. I’m a racer, and it doesn’t matter if it’s a shopping cart with a motor on it. I’m ready.”

Queen will be part of a star-studded field. Along with the standouts of the Pro All Stars Series and Oxford Championship Series, Busch and Daniel Hemric are entered for the event.

“I think Derek, Kyle Busch and I are going to fly up there and be in that. You know, for me, it’s just more seat time and a lot less stress. It’s not going to be easy going up there and racing against these guys, but for me, it’s a chance to really just go have fun and enjoy a race that I might not have ever gotten to do without Derek, so I’m excited.”

While Queen has never been to Oxford Plains, many who have talked to him about the race have drawn comparisons between the Maine facility and Queen’s home track of Langley Speedway.

As a three-time winner of the Hampton Heat at Langley, Queen certainly hopes those comparisons ring true and he can get up to speed at Oxford.

“That’s what they keep telling me,” said Queen. “You run good at Langley, so you’ll be fine. I’ve only ran Oxford on iRacing, but if it’s anything like Langley in real life, I’m extra excited. Langley’s my home track and that’s where I grinded it out for years. I don’t get to race at Langley like I would like to.I’m doing what I want to do, but it’s hard not racing at home, because that’s what built you.”

To hear more from Queen’s appearance on The Bullring, click here.

The Memorial Day Clash 200 is scheduled for Tuesday, May 27 at Oxford Plains Speedway. Fans can watch the event live on RacingAmerica.TV. Click here to subscribe today and watch the Memorial Day Clash 200.

-Photo credit: Craig White, TobyChristie.com (used with permission)