Thaddeus Drake Moffitt (born September 12, 2000) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 46 Chevrolet Silverado for Young's Motorsports. He previously drove the No. 46 for Faction46 before the team was shut down by its owner Lane Moore due to financial constraints.
| Thad Moffitt | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 Moffitt at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024 | |||||||
| Born | Thaddeus Drake Moffitt September 12, 2000 Trinity, North Carolina, U.S. | ||||||
| Achievements | 2016 Southeast Limited Late Model Series Challenger Division Champion | ||||||
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career | |||||||
| 21 races run over 2 years | |||||||
| Truck no., team | No. 46 (Young's Motorsports) | ||||||
| 2024 position | 32nd | ||||||
| Best finish | 32nd (2024) | ||||||
| First race | 2022 NextEra Energy 250 (Daytona) | ||||||
| Last race | 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Championship Race (Phoenix) | ||||||
| |||||||
| ARCA Menards Series career | |||||||
| 45 races run over 6 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 4th (2021) | ||||||
| First race | 2017 Music City 200 (Nashville Fairgrounds) | ||||||
| Last race | 2022 General Tire 200 (Talladega) | ||||||
| |||||||
| ARCA Menards Series East career | |||||||
| 3 races run over 1 year | |||||||
| Best finish | 15th (2021) | ||||||
| First race | 2021 Shore Lunch 150 (Iowa) | ||||||
| Last race | 2021 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol) | ||||||
| |||||||
| ARCA Menards Series West career | |||||||
| 1 race run over 1 year | |||||||
| Best finish | 38th (2021) | ||||||
| First race | 2021 General Tire 150 (Phoenix) | ||||||
| |||||||
| Statistics current as of November 8, 2024. | |||||||
Racing career
editEarly career
editGrowing up in a racing family, Moffitt cut his teeth in go-karts at age fourteen and later moved up to quarter midgets and limited late models,[1] running at tracks like Caraway Speedway and Ace Speedway.[2] Speaking about having racers in the family, he said that advice will be given upon request but also that older relatives wanted him to develop without help.[3] Moffitt was the 2016 Southeast Limited Late Model champion[4] and won his first late model race earlier that year.[5]
ARCA Menards Series
edit
Moffitt made his ARCA Racing Series debut in April 2017 at Fairgrounds Speedway, driving a car reminiscent of one driven by his grandfather Richard Petty, for Empire Racing, a satellite team of Richard Petty Motorsports.[6] He ran three races in 2017.[7] Moffitt's best finish was eleventh, at Lucas Oil Raceway.[8]
In early 2018, Moffitt tested at Daytona International Speedway[7] and announced races at Fairgrounds Speedway, Pocono Raceway and Lucas Oil with the potential for more races to be added later in the year.[1] In his second start of the year, at Salem Speedway, Moffitt was involved in two incidents, one with Natalie Decker and one with Jack Dossey III.[9] Moffitt rebounded from a mid-race spin in his next race to claim his first top ten, finishing tenth in the race at Toledo.[10]
On January 9, 2020, it was announced that Moffitt would join DGR-Crosley for the season-opening race at Daytona,[11] and would then run all races on the schedule until sponsorship dried up, plus Memphis, which the team had previously signed a sponsor for. He claimed three top-five finishes over thirteen races, with a career-best finish of fourth at Memphis.
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In January 2021, it was announced that Moffitt would return to ARCA with the renamed David Gilliland Racing team for at least eleven races that year.[12] He proceeded to compete in almost the entire season, only being replaced by Taylor Gray for the dirt races and Canadian J. P. Bergeron for the final two events. At Michigan, Moffitt was involved in controversy after his retaliation attempt against Drew Dollar for a previous wreck that resulted in a crash that injured Tim Richmond.[13]
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
editOn February 10, 2022, it was announced that Moffitt would make his Camping World Truck Series debut at Daytona for Reaume Brothers Racing in collaboration with GMS Racing, running a paint scheme that pays tribute to Richard Petty's 1992 retirement season.[14]
On December 9, 2023, Moffitt was announced as the full-time driver for the new NASCAR team, Faction46, in the No. 46 Chevrolet for the upcoming 2024 season.[15][16][17][18] On June 28, 2024, prior to the race at Nashville Superspeedway, Moffitt had a medical emergency and the team substituted Dawson Cram as the driver of the No. 46 truck. On July 8, 2024, Faction46 team owner Lane Moore officially shut down the team due to financial constraints. On July 10, 2024 Young's Motorsports officially announced that Moffitt would drive the No. 46 at Pocono Raceway and the remainder of the 2024 season, which is the same team he drove for at one point in 2022. On September 19, 2024, Moffit announced via X that due to lack of funding, he would not race for as much of the remainder of the 2024 Season. Moffit returned to the No. 46 at Phoenix. He finished the season 32nd in the points standings, last of the ROTY Contenders.
Trans Am
editIn 2023, Moffitt would run the full schedule in the Trans Am Series, driving the No. 43 Chevrolet for TeamSLR with support from Petty's Garage in the TA2 class. He would earn six top-tens with a best finish of second at the second Detroit Street Circuit race on his way to finish seventh in the class standings.[19][20]
Personal life
editMoffitt was born on September 12, 2000, to Brian Moffitt and Rebecca Petty-Moffitt in Trinity, North Carolina. His mother, Rebecca, is the youngest daughter of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Richard Petty. Throughout his childhood, Moffitt played football and other organized sports. In his mid-teens, Moffitt began competing in Kart racing before moving to Late model racing in 2016. Moffitt had attended Wheatmore High School before deciding to switch to online schooling midway through his high school career.[2]
In 2019, Moffitt traveled to England to run a 1981 edition of grandfather Richard Petty's racecar at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.[21]
Despite sharing the same last name, he is not related to fellow NASCAR competitor Brett Moffitt.
Motorsports career results
editNASCAR
edit(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
Craftsman Truck Series
edit| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | NCTC | Pts | Ref | |||||||||||||||
| 2022 | Reaume Brothers Racing | 43 | Chevy | DAY 18 |
LVS 29 |
ATL 32 |
COA | MAR | BRD | DAR | KAN | TEX | CLT | GTW | SON | 46th | 38 | [22] | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Young's Motorsports | 20 | Chevy | KNX 31 |
NSH | MOH | POC | IRP | RCH | KAN | BRI | TAL | HOM | PHO | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2024 | Faction46 | 46 | Chevy | DAY 36 |
ATL 26 |
LVS 25 |
BRI 26 |
COA 32 |
MAR 27 |
TEX 32 |
KAN 24 |
DAR 18 |
NWS 31 |
CLT 33 |
GTW 28 |
NSH | 32nd | 138 | [23] | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Young's Motorsports | POC 29 |
IRP 32 |
RCH 33 |
MLW 32 |
BRI | KAN | TAL | HOM | MAR | PHO 27 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points
ARCA Menards Series
edit(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
| ARCA Menards Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | AMSC | Pts | Ref |
| 2017 | Empire Racing | 46 | Ford | DAY | NSH 16 |
SLM | TAL | TOL 23 |
ELK | POC | MCH | MAD | IOW | IRP 11 |
POC | WIN | ISF | ROA | DSF | SLM | CHI | KEN | KAN | 45th | 440 | [24] |
| 2018 | DAY | NSH 14 |
SLM 16 |
TAL | TOL 10 |
CLT | POC 25 |
MCH | MAD | GTW | CHI | IOW | ELK | POC | ISF | BLN | DSF | SLM | 26th | 780 | [25] | |||||
| Chevy | IRP 15 |
KAN | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2019 | DAY 27 |
FIF | SLM | TAL 25 |
NSH 9 |
TOL | CLT 10 |
POC | MCH | MAD | GTW 9 |
23rd | 1110 | [26] | ||||||||||||
| Ford | CHI 9 |
ELK | IOW | POC 11 |
ISF | DSF | SLM | IRP | KAN | |||||||||||||||||
| 2020 | DGR-Crosley | 46 | Ford | DAY 5 |
PHO 18 |
TAL 6 |
POC 20 |
IRP 5 |
KEN 15 |
IOW 10 |
KAN 10 |
TOL 12 |
TOL 8 |
MCH 9 |
DRC 11 |
GTW | L44 | TOL | BRI | WIN | MEM 4 |
ISF | KAN | 9th | 539 | [27] |
| 2021 | David Gilliland Racing | DAY 21 |
PHO 3 |
TAL 6 |
KAN 6 |
TOL 5 |
CLT 7 |
MOH 3 |
POC 5 |
ELK 9 |
BLN 12 |
IOW 6 |
WIN 4 |
GLN 11 |
MCH 8 |
ISF | MLW 9 |
DSF | BRI 25 |
SLM | KAN | 4th | 666 | [28] | ||
| 2022 | Ferrier-McClure Racing | 44 | Chevy | DAY | PHO | TAL 4 |
KAN | CLT | IOW | BLN | ELK | MOH | POC | IRP | MCH | GLN | ISF | MLW | DSF | KAN | BRI | SLM | TOL | 74th | 40 | [29] |
ARCA Menards Series East
edit| ARCA Menards Series East results | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | AMSEC | Pts | Ref |
| 2021 | David Gilliland Racing | 46 | Ford | NSM | FIF | NSV | DOV | SNM | IOW 6 |
MLW 9 |
BRI 25 |
15th | 143 | [30] |
ARCA Menards Series West
edit| ARCA Menards Series West results | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | AMSWC | Pts | Ref |
| 2021 | David Gilliland Racing | 46 | Ford | PHO 3 |
SON | IRW | CNS | IRW | PIR | LVS | AAS | PHO | 38th | 42 | [31] |
References
edit- ^ a b "Thad Moffitt to Race ARCA Racing Series Events and Late Model with Performance Plus Motor Oil". Speedway Digest. March 16, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
- ^ a b Hardin, Ed (May 22, 2018). "Ed Hardin: Thad Moffitt, Richard Petty's grandson, is racing to catch up". Winston-Salem Journal. BH Media Group. Retrieved May 28, 2018.
- ^ "4th-gen Petty...Thad Moffitt first to file entry for Nashville". ARCAracing.com. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
- ^ Weaver, Matt (April 4, 2017). "Richard Petty's grandson, Thad Moffitt, will make his ARCA debut this weekend". Autoweek. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
- ^ Marquis, Andy. "Thad Moffitt Continues the Petty Family Legacy in Late Models". Short Track Scene. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt has helmet fit for 'The King' in ARCA debut". NASCAR.com. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
- ^ a b McFadin, Daniel (January 13, 2018). "Thad Moffitt, Richard Petty's grandson, makes Daytona debut in ARCA test". NASCAR on NBC. NBC Sports. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt Set For Three ARCA Events". Speed Sport. March 16, 2018. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
- ^ de la Bastide, Ken (April 22, 2018). "Eckes gets ARCA win at Salem". The Herald Bulletin. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
- ^ Eberly, Brian (May 20, 2018). "Thad Moffitt Recovers From Spin to Earn First ARCA Top-10". Motorsports Tribune. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
- ^ Tomlinson, Joy (January 9, 2020). "Thad Moffitt Joins DGR-Crosley". Frontstretch. Retrieved January 10, 2020.
- ^ Koelle, Christian (January 23, 2021). "Taylor Gray and Thad Moffitt Return to David Gilliland Racing in 2021; Add Joey Iest to East Lineup". Kickin' the Tires. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
- ^ Walters, Shane (August 21, 2021). "Racing driver suffers broken leg following retaliation at Michigan (Video)". RacingNews.co. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ Srigley, Joseph (February 10, 2022). "Thad Moffitt Competing Part-Time in Trucks with Reaume Brothers Racing, Driving No. 43 at Daytona". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved February 11, 2022.
- ^ Christie, Toby (December 9, 2023). "Thad Moffitt Officially Announced as Faction46 NASCAR Truck Driver". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt Running Full Truck Schedule for Faction46". Frontstretch. December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt to compete full-time in Truck Series with Faction46". NASCAR.com. December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ "Petty family member Thad Moffitt joins NASCAR Truck Series in 2024". Motorsport.com. December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ "That Moffitt Joins Trans AM TA2 Class". Speed Sport. December 9, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ "Pair of Solid Top-Fives for TeamSLR in Detroit Race No. 2". TeamSLR. June 4, 2023. Retrieved December 10, 2023.
- ^ "Goodwood Festival of Speed 2019: oddities and unexpected gems". Autocar. Retrieved July 9, 2019.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt – 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 19, 2022.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt – 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2024.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt – 2017 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 1, 2018.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt – 2018 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt – 2019 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 24, 2019.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt – 2020 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt – 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt – 2021 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 25, 2021.
- ^ "Thad Moffitt – 2021 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 13, 2021.
External links
edit- Official website
- Thad Moffitt driver statistics at Racing-Reference