- Butterbean Baldwin Wins ARCA Ride The ‘Dente 200 at Daytona in Just His Second Start
Short-Track Sensation Turns Superspeedway Star
DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Brenden “Butterbean” Queen’s meteoric rise in stock car racing took another leap forward Saturday when he won the ARCA Menards Series Ride The ‘Dente 200 at Daytona International Speedway. In just his second career ARCA start, the short-track ace turned superspeedway star, piloting the No. 42 Toyota for Venturini Motorsports, held off a hard-charging field to score his first victory in the series.
It was a career-defining moment for the 26-year-old Virginia native, who has built a reputation as one of the most talented grassroots racers in the country. Known for his dominance in Late Model Stock Cars, Queen—affectionately nicknamed “Butterbean”—has proven that his talent translates to the biggest stages in racing.
A Patient and Calculated Drive to Victory
The 80-lap race at Daytona saw its fair share of action, with a mix of aggressive drafting, fuel strategy, and late-race chaos. Butterbean, making just his second ARCA Menards Series start, showed veteran-like patience early on. Driving for the powerhouse Venturini Motorsports team, he positioned himself among the lead pack for much of the race, learning the nuances of superspeedway racing.
“It was all about being smart, staying out of trouble, and keeping the car clean until it mattered most,” Queen said in Victory Lane. “These Venturini guys gave me an absolute rocket ship, and I just had to do my job to put us in position when it counted.”
The Race: Staying in the Hunt
Starting in the top 10, Queen quickly settled into the draft, learning the art of pack racing at speeds exceeding 180 mph. The first half of the race saw several lead changes, with drivers from Rev Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, and AM Racing all taking turns at the front.
A caution with 20 laps to go changed the complexion of the race. The leaders pitted for fuel and adjustments, but Queen’s Venturini crew executed a flawless pit stop, gaining him crucial track position. Restarting inside the top five, he methodically worked his way to the front as the field thundered around the 2.5-mile superspeedway.
The Winning Move
With two laps to go, Queen found himself in second, locked in a battle with pole-sitter Jesse Love. Coming down the backstretch on the final lap, Butterbean made his move, ducking low in the tri-oval and using a perfectly timed push from his teammate Gus Dean to slingshot past Love.
As the checkered flag waved, Queen crossed the finish line just 0.056 seconds ahead of Love in a thrilling photo finish. The grandstands erupted as the underdog driver cemented his place in Daytona history.
From Late Model Glory to ARCA Triumph
Queen’s journey to Victory Lane has been anything but conventional. A grassroots racing star, he first made a name for himself in the NASCAR Advance Auto Parts Weekly Series, racking up Late Model Stock Car wins across the Southeast. His breakthrough came in 2022, when he won the prestigious Hampton Heat 200 at Langley Speedway and later captured the CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car Championship.
Despite limited funding and no direct path to NASCAR’s national series, his relentless work ethic and undeniable talent kept opening doors. His first ARCA start came at Phoenix in 2023, where he finished a respectable seventh. Now, in just his second outing, he has conquered one of the biggest stages in stock car racing.
Emotional Victory Lane Celebration
As Queen climbed out of his car on the front stretch, emotions ran high. He was immediately embraced by his Venturini Motorsports team, a powerhouse ARCA organization that has helped develop numerous future NASCAR stars. Tears welled in his eyes as he dedicated the win to his family and supporters who have stood by him throughout his career.
“I just can’t believe it,” Queen said. “Daytona, man. I’ve dreamed about this since I was a kid. To come from running at Langley and South Boston to winning at Daytona International Speedway is unreal. Thank you to Venturini Motorsports, my family, and everyone who has believed in me. This is for all the short-track guys out there.”
What’s Next for Butterbean?
With a Daytona win now on his résumé, the racing world is buzzing about Queen’s future. Will this victory be the stepping stone to a full-time ARCA season? Could a NASCAR Truck or Xfinity opportunity be on the horizon?
“I don’t know what’s next, but I know I want to keep racing and keep proving myself,” he said. “This is just the beginning.”
One thing is certain—Butterbean Queen is no longer just a short-track ace. He’s a superspeedway winner, and the racing world is taking notice.
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