Brendan “Butterbean” Queen on pit road before the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race at North Wilkesboro Speedway. (Photo: Ricky Martinez | The Podium Finish)
NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — Making his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut, Brendan “Butterbean” Queen overcame a pit road speeding penalty to finish fourth in Sunday’s postponed race at North Wilkesboro Speedway.
A CARS Tour regular, Queen won last year at NWBS and put himself on the map. That resulted in a one-off with TRICON Garage in 2024, an opportunity for his first NASCAR national series start.
Starting 26th on Saturday, Queen got up to 16th at the end of Stage 1 and flirted near the top 10 before Mother Nature unleashed its wrath. Heavy rain and flooding postponed the conclusion of the race until 11:30 a.m. ET on Sunday.
Day 2 of the Wright Brand 250 didn’t start nearly as well for the rookie. On Lap 118, shortly before the end of Stage 1, Queen sped on pit road and had to go to the rear of the field — eliminating his hard-earned track position.
“We got that speeding penalty and I thought I was conservative on the lights and it just got us – rookie mistake,” Queen said after the race. “I hated to put my team in that box with that penalty and I told them, ‘We’re going to get back to the front one way or another.’ And, they deserve it. Those guys at the shop, they put the hours in and that’s why this truck is fast.”
And that’s exactly what happened. Outside the top 20 at the second stage break, Queen battled through traffic as other trucks executed different pit strategies — some aiming for just one stop while others elected for multiple. On Lap 167, Queen broke back inside the top 10.
As a few more cautions cluttered the closing laps, Queen continued to only improve. While Corey Heim dominated for this third victory of the season, Queen found himself in a battle for second with Grant Enfinger and Layne Riggs — another short tracker with similar late model roots.
Ultimately, the 26-year-old from Chesapeake, Virginia, fell short of both to finish fourth but still chalked up his debut as a success.
Brendan “Butterbean” Queen during NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series practice Friday at North Wilkesboro Speedway. (Photo: Phil Cavali | The Podium Finish)
“This is what I worked for my whole life and never knew if I’d get this opportunity,” Queen said. “Huge thanks to TRICON Garage, everybody at Toyota, TRD, TPC (Toyota Performance Center) for giving me this chance. TRICON Garage brought a fast, fast Best Company Toyota Tundra and I was just lucky to drive it. Got to thank the man above for keeping us all safe. I just never knew if I would get this opportunity. “Butterbean” Nation has stuck with me.
“I’m just blessed, man, and I just hope that I can turn this into some more opportunities. I love racing my Late Model, but this is my dream to get to the next level.
“Seth (Smith, crew chief) and all these boys right here, they’re the reason I finished here, it ain’t me. It’s this TRICON Toyota Tundra, everybody at TRD, Best Repair Company, everybody.”
Queen currently doesn’t have any additional races planned.
