The Ultimate Guide To CARS Tour On FS1: Why Dale Jr.'s Grassroots Series Is Exploding In Popularity

Contents

The zMAX CARS Tour is rapidly becoming the premier short-track racing series in North America, and its historic partnership with Fox Sports 1 (FS1) is bringing this high-octane, grassroots action to its largest audience ever. As of December 22, 2025, the buzz centers on the highly-anticipated live broadcast of one of the series' marquee events, confirming the tour's explosive growth and its critical role in developing the next generation of NASCAR stars.

The tour, which features intense competition across its Late Model Stock Car (LMSC) and Pro Late Model (PLM) divisions, has gained unprecedented national attention thanks to its ownership group, which is a veritable "who's who" of NASCAR legends committed to revitalizing short-track racing.

The Powerhouse Owners: NASCAR Legends Driving the CARS Tour

The zMAX CARS Tour is not just a regional series; it is a national development platform backed by some of the biggest names in motorsports. This ownership group is the key reason for the series' increased visibility, including the crucial FS1 broadcast deal. Here is a look at the elite group of owners:

  • Dale Earnhardt Jr.: NASCAR Hall of Famer, two-time Daytona 500 winner, champion team owner, and one of the most influential figures in motorsports. Earnhardt Jr. is a passionate advocate for grassroots racing and frequently competes in the series, often driving his Sun Drop-sponsored No. 8 Chevrolet.
  • Kevin Harvick: 2014 NASCAR Cup Series Champion and 2001 NASCAR Xfinity Series Champion. Harvick brings decades of on-track and business experience, further validating the CARS Tour as a top-tier development series.
  • Jeff Burton: Former NASCAR Cup Series driver and current NASCAR on NBC analyst. Known as "The Mayor," Burton contributes his expertise in driver development and race promotion.
  • Justin Marks: Founder and co-owner of Trackhouse Racing. Marks’ involvement provides a direct pipeline connection between the short-track world and the modern NASCAR Cup Series landscape.

Historic FS1 Broadcast: The Must-Watch 2025 Race

The biggest news for the zMAX CARS Tour is the groundbreaking agreement that brings live, flag-to-flag coverage to a major national television network for the first time in the series' history. This is a monumental step for short-track racing, moving it from regional streaming to a massive national platform.

The centerpiece of this FS1 partnership is the live broadcast from the legendary North Wilkesboro Speedway. This event is strategically timed to maximize viewership and exposure.

When to Watch the CARS Tour on FS1

The zMAX CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour race will be broadcast live on FS1 on the following date:

  • Date: Friday, May 16, 2025
  • Event: CARS Late Model Stock Car Tour Race
  • Location: North Wilkesboro Speedway, North Carolina
  • Context: The race is a key part of the highly-anticipated NASCAR All-Star Race Weekend, ensuring a massive influx of racing fans tuned into the network.

This collaboration with FS1, which is in addition to the series' long-standing partnership with the streaming platform FloRacing, guarantees that the young, talented drivers of the CARS Tour will be showcased to the largest possible audience, fulfilling the owners' mission to shine a national light on grassroots motorsports.

The Drivers and Champions: Entities of the CARS Tour

Topical authority in the CARS Tour is built on the fierce competition among its established and rising stars. The Late Model Stock Car (LMSC) and Pro Late Model (PLM) divisions are breeding grounds for future NASCAR Cup Series talent. The prestige of a CARS Tour Championship is now higher than ever.

Recent Champions and Prominent Drivers (2024 & Previous)

The following drivers represent the elite level of competition in the zMAX CARS Tour:

  • Brenden Queen: The 2024 Late Model Stock Car (LMSC) Champion, proving his mastery over the highly competitive division.
  • Kaden Honeycutt: The 2024 Pro Late Model (PLM) Champion, who also enjoys success in the LMSC division.
  • Landen Lewis: A previous LMSC Tour champion, known for his consistent performance at challenging short tracks.
  • Ben Maier: A previous PLM Tour champion, highlighting the success of younger drivers in the series.
  • Connor Hall: A top competitor in the LMSC standings, consistently battling for race wins.
  • Kade Brown: A young talent who finished high in the 2024 LMSC standings.
  • Landon Huffman: A popular and competitive driver in the LMSC division, known for his engaging presence.
  • Josh Berry: A former CARS Tour champion who successfully transitioned to a full-time NASCAR Cup Series ride, demonstrating the tour's value.
  • Carson Kvapil: A two-time LMSC champion and son of former NASCAR driver Travis Kvapil.
  • Bobby McCarty: A three-time LMSC champion, one of the most successful drivers in the tour's history.
  • Layne Riggs: A former LMSC champion who has also advanced to compete in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
  • Deac McCaskill: A veteran short-track racer and former LMSC champion.
  • Dylan Zampa: A champion in the SPEARS CARS Tour West Limited division, showcasing the tour's expansion.
  • Jace Hale: A champion in the SPEARS CARS Tour West Pro Late Model division.
  • Jared Fryar: A two-time CARS Tour champion across both the LMSC and the former Super Late Model division.
  • Keelan Harvick: Son of owner Kevin Harvick, a rising star competing in the series.

The Future of Grassroots Racing: Beyond the FS1 Broadcast

The FS1 broadcast is more than just a single race; it is a signal of the series' overall health and ambitious future. The zMAX CARS Tour continues to lead the way in short-track racing for several key reasons:

The Two-Division Format: LMSC and PLM

The tour sanctions two core series: the Late Model Stock Car (LMSC) Tour and the Pro Late Model (PLM) Tour. This dual-division format provides a clear path for young drivers to progress. The LMSC division is the premier class in the Southeast, featuring high-horsepower cars and veteran drivers, while the PLM division is a fantastic stepping stone for those moving up from smaller classes.

West Coast Expansion: SPEARS CARS Tour West

In a major expansion move, the CARS Tour brand launched the SPEARS CARS Tour West in 2024. This new series brings the same high-quality, premier stock car racing to the West Coast, under the ownership of California natives Tim Huddleston and Kevin Harvick, among others. This expansion confirms the national scope and influence of the CARS Tour ownership group.

The 2025 zMAX CARS Tour Schedule

The 2025 zMAX CARS Tour season is set to be the most exciting yet, with races scheduled across iconic short tracks in the Southeast. The season officially kicked off in March and continues through the fall. Key dates, including the live FS1 broadcast at North Wilkesboro, are crucial for fans to mark on their calendars. The series visits historic venues like New River All-American Speedway, Wake County Speedway, and Cordele Motor Speedway, offering a diverse set of challenges for the competitors. The season finale often takes place at a marquee venue, crowning the champions in dramatic fashion.

The increased exposure from the FS1 broadcast, coupled with the star power of the ownership group and the sheer talent on the track, means the zMAX CARS Tour is no longer a hidden gem. It is a must-watch series for any motorsports fan interested in seeing where the next generation of NASCAR champions will come from.

The Ultimate Guide to CARS Tour on FS1: Why Dale Jr.'s Grassroots Series Is Exploding in Popularity
cars tour on fs1
cars tour on fs1

Detail Author:

  • Name : Jaren Morissette
  • Username : armstrong.treva
  • Email : camryn.kovacek@yahoo.com
  • Birthdate : 2007-07-14
  • Address : 975 Ignatius Forks Johnsmouth, MA 00223
  • Phone : +1 (318) 599-6399
  • Company : Stamm, Moore and Maggio
  • Job : Payroll Clerk
  • Bio : Qui quia et architecto non. Rerum odio velit aut et voluptatem facere. Minima iusto at adipisci atque quasi quo sapiente ut.

Socials

instagram:

  • url : https://instagram.com/olson2005
  • username : olson2005
  • bio : Reprehenderit enim sit qui incidunt ut in. Eum nemo minus voluptatem incidunt.
  • followers : 6159
  • following : 2912

facebook:

linkedin:

twitter:

  • url : https://twitter.com/olsonh
  • username : olsonh
  • bio : Itaque est quidem deserunt. Necessitatibus molestiae delectus nemo et. Blanditiis explicabo ratione rerum dolorem. Et ducimus quos autem est ipsa dolorum.
  • followers : 6855
  • following : 786

tiktok: