16-year-old Quincy native Kasey Kleyn is set to make a name for himself far from his home turf, as he embarks on a NASCAR Regional racing journey in Florida. This November, the young talent will be acclimating to the Sunshine State’s unique racing culture, beginning with the prestigious Florida Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna Speedway on Nov. 10. From there, Kleyn’s sights will be firmly set on qualifying for his first Snowball Derby at Pensacola’s Five Flags Speedway in December.
Kleyn, who has already gained valuable experience racing against top Super Late Model drivers across the country, recently competed in the All American 400 at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway. Backed by FatHead Racing, a seasoned team, Kleyn is confident heading into the Governor’s Cup.
Kleyn’s journey to this national spotlight started with his successes on the West Coast. After securing his first Northwest Super Late Model Series victory at Stateline Speedway in 2023, Kleyn went on to clinch five wins and a championship. He also made his ARCA Menards Series West debut, driving Naake Klauer Motorsports’ No. 88 to a top-10 finish at Tri-City Raceway. However, Kleyn knew that expanding his horizons was essential for his growth as a driver. Partnering with FatHead Racing was a significant step forward. “The southeast looked like the place to do it with all the exposure, and the racing is a lot more competitive,” Kleyn told NASCAR.com. “We’ve been winning a lot here, but we got to talking with FatHead Racing and worked out a deal. Hopefully we can win some races and get some people looking.”
Balancing his racing commitments with schoolwork, Kleyn’s commute from Washington state to the Southeast often involves six-hour red-eye flights. Despite the logistical challenges, his partnership with FatHead Racing has already been beneficial. Working under car owner Jamie Yelton and receiving guidance from Super Late Model legend Bubba Pollard has provided Kleyn with invaluable insights. Pollard’s expertise, especially at challenging tracks like Five Flags Speedway, has been instrumental. “It’s been really good learning from Pollard,” Kleyn shared. “He knows what he’s talking about, and I’m really looking forward to having him at Five Flags Speedway.”…