Feature on NASCAR Xfinity Series Driver Leland Honeyman Jr.
It’s 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 15 in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains at Martinsville Speedway. As the NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers strap in, over the PA the most famous words in motorsports can be heard, “DRIVERS…START…YOUR…ENGINES!”
Young 18-year-old Leland Honeyman Jr. does as told and fires the engine on his No. 45 Alpha Prime Racing Chevrolet Camaro with sponsor Eighth Order on the hood. At this moment, his mind is only focused on 250 laps at NASCAR’s most historic track.
Why? Because these moments are what he’s been after his entire life and it’s certainly more fun than the online schooling waiting for him at home.
Balancing Racing, Work & High School
Leland Honeyman Jr. is an 18-year-old Phoenix, Arizona native who lacks no determination. The NASCAR Xfinity Series rookie running a part-time schedule remains the youngest driver in the series so far this season. This makes it even more impressive as he balances his racing career, his interest in business and finishing up high school all at the same time.
In fact, on weekends Leland’s not at the race track, he’s typically doing work for his father’s construction company, LH Waterfront Construction.
“My Dad had an A.C. and electrical company for 25 years in Arizona and he decided to sell it when we moved to North Carolina,” Honeyman said. “When we moved out here, we started remodeling houses and getting into the construction and real estate business. I started helping him when I was really young, crawling on ladders and whatnot…Now we’re upscaling into waterfront luxury homes. Planning and development is kind of what my side is. You know, getting all the permits…if something needs to be done I do it.”
Speaking of things that need to be done, as mentioned, schooling is one of them for Honeyman as it is for any kid or teen. Ask any race car driver that’s had to balance school and racing and you’ll quickly come to realize it isn’t a cakewalk. This is why some schools in Charlotte and the Lake Norman area offer ways for drivers to make sure they’re prioritizing both.
In 2020, one struggle that was thrown in the face of every student across the country was the COVID-19 pandemic. The switch to virtual schooling hindered many students and Honeyman was one.
“I went to Lake Norman High School for a while,” Honeyman said. “I’m online now but when I went to Lake Norman High, they offered an automotive program that would get me out of school around 12 p.m. Then, I’d go work on cars for about two hours. I was kind of ahead of the program when I was in school but then I got put online when COVID happened and online hasn’t been my favorite. I’m a more hands-on person. Hopefully, I’ll be able to graduate here soon. I got a little bit behind online. But, it’s racing, work and school. That’s about it.”
The quote “racing, work and school” perfectly portrays Honeyman’s hustle as he balances how to be a normal teenager while also competing for millions of people on the national stage.
Racing Background and a DAYTONA 500 Champion’s Push for a Big Move
Being raised by a father who was already a racing enthusiast himself, Honeyman started his career in off-road trophy karts at the age of 4. At 8, he moved into go-karts and after a few short years, made a big decision that led him to where he is today.
The passion for racing continued to grow for Honeyman by age 10. Pair that with the fact he was pretty dang good and you get a family willing to chase that dream with him. So, that’s what they did. In fact, they chased that dream all the way from Arizona to the racing hub of North Carolina where Honeyman was relocated to further his racing pursuits. Who he credits for the move, well that may come as a shock but here’s a hint, he’s another Arizona-born driver who happens to be a DAYTONA 500 champion.
Michael McDowell, winner of the 2021 DAYTONA 500 and current driver of the No. 34 Front Row Motorsports car in the NASCAR Cup Series, help recommend Leland relocate to North Carolina. It turns out that Honeyman’s father did business with McDowell’s family, bringing together a close connection between the bunch.
“Sometimes someone just paves the path,” McDowell said of Honeyman. “When I was growing up racing go-karts in Phoenix, it was Buddy Rice who sort of paved my path…It’s cool to see him (Honeyman) do well. He’s very driven. It reminds me a lot of our family, just trying to make it work and trying to figure out how to get there. It’s so fun to watch.”
When Honeyman arrived, he was introduced to more oval-style racing, a type of racing he began to like more than the courses he’d been used to in Arizona. He was put into Bandoleros in 2015, which is a style of car typically used as a stepping stone for young drivers moving through the ranks. It appeared oval racing liked him back as within two years he was crowned a Bandolero National Champion.
After racing Bandoleros, Honeyman made the jump to late models where for a few years he consistently competed for wins. In 2021, he finished runner-up for the Carolina Pro Late Models championship.
Then, in 2022, he moved his way into the ARCA Menards East Series with Youngs Motorsports where he grabbed a pole position and collected a number of top-10s that led him to rank third overall at season’s end. Honeyman also made his first NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series start in 2022 at Bristol Motor Speedway, finishing 29th after collecting early damage. In a rapid progression, it was off to Alpha Prime Racing to run part-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for 2023. That’s where he currently calls home.
Expectations and Backup Plans
While Honeyman’s mind is focused on racing, he admits that it can’t exclusively be there all the time. Right now, he’s also working on real estate classes to be prepared with a backup plan. One thing that is abundantly clear after speaking with Honeyman is that he has a strong knowledge of all things investment related. It certainly appears to be much stronger than many other 18-year-olds.
“All the thought right now is racing,” Honeyman said. “But in the back of my head, I have two brains right now. My second brain is all construction, real estate and investment stuff. I focus on both racing and that throughout the day, so it helps me with not losing anything. It’s two benefits helping me out every day.”
For the remainder of 2023, Honeyman will compete in a handful more races for Alpha Prime Racing. Then, his hope is to be with the team full-time in 2024. In his first three starts this season, Honeyman scored a 27th-place result and a pair of 25th-place finishes. He’s completed all but one lap, showing consistency and track time is key.
“Having clean runs and strong finishes is my biggest thing this year,” Honeyman said. “Learning from every track I’m going to this year and building on it for next year. I want to have Tommy (Joe Martins, Team President) happy with me.”
As for the ultimate goal for Honeyman, that’s pretty simple.
“Cup. For sure.”
Follow Leland Honeyman Jr. on Social Media:
Written by Noah Lewis
Be sure to follow us on Twitter
Be sure to follow the writer on Twitter
