For more than 30 years, Cook Out Summer Shootout has helped shape the next generation of NASCAR stars, developing young talents and shaping them into champions of the future. Each week drivers battle bumper-to-bumper around Charlotte Motor Speedway’s famed quarter-mile, chasing trophies and testing their limits. This year, three young drivers have taken that challenge to the next level – running in two different divisions each night.
Running in both a Bandolero and a Legend Car in the same night requires adapting to entirely different machines, adjusting to changing track conditions and physically handling double the track time. Despite the grueling schedule, these young drivers aren’t just managing—they’re contending for championships.
Brexton Busch, 10, Bandits & Chargers Divisions
At just 10 years old, Brexton Busch — son of NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch — is one of the few drivers in Summer Shootout history to double-up, competing in both the competitive Bandits and non-points earning Chargers division.
Each Tuesday, Busch climbs out of his neon green Bandolero and, with only one race in between, jumps straight into his Legend Car, adjusting his mindset and preparing for a completely different challenge.
“I’m just thinking what the line and braking is gonna be for the next car,” said Busch on his mindset in between races.
Despite being a Legend Car rookie, Busch has already shown he can handle the jump, tallying two Chargers wins, while staying nearly untouchable in the Bandits battle with six victories. Even with all the action, Busch admits he still feels most confident in his Bandolero.
“I just know how everyone drives in Bandits,” he said. “Next year, I’ll know how to get past people in both divisions.”
Earlier this season, Busch made headlines with back-to-back double wins in Rounds 5 and 6, taking the checkered flag in both divisions two nights in a row. Now heading into the final round, he holds a commanding 55-point lead in the Bandits division.
With his dad also racing in a Legend Car this summer, Brexton says the two often compare lap times in a friendly father-son competition. While the long-term goal may be NASCAR, Brexton’s focus right now is clear: finish strong and leave the Bandits division with a championship before making the full-time jump to Legends.
Landon Thrasher, 12, Outlaws & Young Lions Divisions
Tennessee native Landon Thrasher is no stranger to a challenge — or chasing redemption. After falling short of a national title last season, Thrasher doubled down this summer, taking on two of Summer Shootout’s most competitive divisions: Outlaws and Young Lions.
For Thrasher, every week is go time. After finishing his Bandolero race, Thrasher bolts through the pits to his Legend Car, where his mom is waiting to help strap him in for round two.
“I am super exhausted after the Bando race.I just know that I have to be careful, be steady and just drink a lot before the race,” Thrasher said. “I just have to remember how each car drives and how fast the Legend is compared to the Bando.”
Adding to his dream-chasing feat, Thrasher travels from Tennessee to Charlotte to compete at America’s Home for Racing for the grassroots showdown. Since he feels most at home in the car, the long haul doesn’t bother him.
“I mean, it’s awesome. I love far drives, I love road trips!”
For Thrasher, the grind is paying off as he enters the final round as the Outlaws points leader with 790 points and seven wins, also making gains in the stacked Young Lions division, sitting 10th in points among some of the best Legend Car talent in the country.
Gerald White III, 10, Bandits and Chargers Divisions
Ten-year-old Gerald White III has spent the past two summers traveling from Lakeland, Florida to Charlotte, camping out with his family to chase his racing dreams. This season, he added a Legend Car to his routine — joining the Bandits and Chargers mix.
“My dad asked if I wanted to race both and I said, ‘yeah’,” White said. “One of my friends actually races both, Landon Thrasher, and it’s really fun.”
For Gerald, the learning curve between cars has been steep. Legend Cars are faster, heavier and much harder to brake — something White learned the hard way.
“With the brakes on the Legend Car, you have to push them super hard. But in the Bandolero, if you hit them super hard, you’re in the wall,” he said. “The first time, I smacked the wall because I was so used to driving the Bandolero.”
Back home, White trains with his uncle at Auburndale Speedway, working on racecraft through playful bump-drafts and drills. That effort paid off in Round 8 when he scored his first Bandits win. Now he sits fourth in Bandits points entering the finale, hungry for more.
“Oh, it’s the Summer Shootout at Charlotte Motor Speedway! I mean, what other NASCAR track is going to have anything like it?”
Next year, White plans to go full-time in Legends — and chase even bigger goals.
From buckling into two different race cars to balancing learning curves and points battles, these young drivers are pulling off something rare, demanding and impressive. As they gear up for Championship Night, they’ve already proven they’re not just drivers to watch — they’re racers rewriting what’s possible at Cook Out Summer Shootout.
TICKETS:
Tickets are just $10; kids 12 and under get in FREE. All summer long, fans who bring a canned food donation will receive $2 off as part of Blue Cross NC’s “Drive Out Hunger” campaign. For tickets, schedules and more details about all the happenings at Charlotte Motor Speedway, visit www.charlottemotorspeedway.com.
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