NASCAR spotter for Kyle Busch and Austin Hill set to make ARCA debut as driver

“BIG announcement! A childhood dream to drive on the national level,” Kneeland wrote on X. “As a driver Im not deserving of this compared to so many talented drivers, but the team appreciates me and the job I do for them and I will give 110% effort into this once in a lifetime opportunity!!”

Derek Kneeland spots for Kyle Busch, will be a racer later this month

Kneeland will get the start in the ARCA East season opener. Carson Brown will drive the No. 28 car for the remainder of the 2026 season.

It’s a big opportunity for Kneeland, who spends his weekends being the eyes and ears for Busch and Hill. This could be a one-shot deal, so he plans to soak it all in.

“I just couldn’t be more excited and fortunate for this opportunity because it’s once in a lifetime,” Kneeland told Matt Weaver of Motorsport. “I think a lot of people watch on TV and they think anyone can go and do it.

“It’s like, ‘No, this costs a lot of money and tremendous personnel to get to the track and do all of these things.’ I’m just going to put my best foot forward and I’m going to soak it all in because this is probably going to be my one and done shot. I want to capture all the memories and get everything I can out of it.”