NASCAR Regional and International Champions Celebrated in Charlotte

NASCAR crowns its regional and international champions on Friday night at the Charlotte Convention Center, a formal ceremony that underlines the depth of the sport’s development ladder.

Co-host Alex Alexander sets the tone, calling grassroots racing “the soul of NASCAR,” a reminder that local ecosystems sustain the talent pipeline feeding national platforms.

The Weekly Series recognition starts with Brendon Fries, celebrated for a triple sweep across the West Region, Idaho State, and Meridian Speedway, highlighting versatility across venues and competition formats.

Kenna Mitchell receives the Wendell Scott Trailblazer Award, after titles at All-American Speedway and in California, a nod to impact beyond results and a commitment to inspire future entrants.

Minnesota’s Jacob Goede secures a second Weekly Series national crown with 10 wins, presented by John Hunter Nemechek, before Ben Kennedy adds the champion’s ring to reinforce the achievement.

International champions share the stage. Rubens Barrichello, aged 53, claims the NASCAR Brasil Series with 11 victories, underlining the category’s competitiveness and his adaptable racecraft outside single-seaters.

Italy’s Vittorio Ghirelli takes a second successive NASCAR Euro Series title, crediting team execution and reliability, and making the long trip to Charlotte to underline the championship’s international reach.

Austin Beers, 22, becomes the youngest NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion, edging four-time title-winner Justin Bonsignore in a Martinsville finale, after a season of relentless top-10 and frequent top-five finishes.

NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell and Ryan Preece present the trophy, with Preece a stated inspiration, underscoring Beers’ pathway toward national opportunities.

The ARCA Menards slate follows. Trevor Huddleston takes the West title. Robbie Kennealy earns West rookie, Austin Vaughn takes East rookie, and 16-year-old Isaac Kitzmiller secures the East championship.

Kitzmiller finishes top-10 in every start.

Before national accolades, the series honors Bill Venturini and Venturini Motorsports, marking their retirement and long-term influence on driver development and competitive standards.

Isabella Robusto collects 2025 Bounty Rookie of the Year, built on nine top-fives and 14 top-10s in 20 starts, missing third in points but signaling upward momentum.

Brenden Queen closes the ceremony as ARCA Menards Series champion on his 28th birthday, logging eight wins and 17 top-fives.

The title unlocks opportunities in the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series.

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He earns a full-time Craftsman Truck seat with Kaulig Racing next season.

Queen reflects on a path from backyard racer to national champion, acknowledging setbacks but focusing on execution, as the ceremony encapsulates NASCAR’s ladder and its emphasis on readiness.

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