Over the course of three years and 71 races collectively, and Scott Zipadelli amassed 21 wins and 45 top-5s with three closing 4 appearances and the 2025 Truck Collection championship.
It’s objectively a tough act to observe however isn’t permitting the stress to exceed the privilege and intends to simply put within the work in pursuit of the identical outcomes.
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“From my finish, I feel it is essential to wipe that slate clear and deal with it prefer it didn’t occur,” Honeycutt instructed Motorsport.com on Wednesday. “I simply need to attempt to be who I’m, and undoubtedly need to again up the success they’ve had the previous three years, but in addition acknowledge that I’m my very own individual and wish to determine the way to get there first.
“So there’s undoubtedly some stress, however I don’t really feel a lot of it proper now, as a result of I’m simply going to go on the market and do one of the best I presumably can.”
And to date, Honeycutt’s greatest has methodically landed him ready to get seen by Toyota Racing Growth and Tricon Storage’s No. 11.
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“I really feel like, being in that tools, I’m going to have the ability to present what I can do,” Honeycatt added. “It’s going to be actually enjoyable. I need to get pleasure from each second of it and simply attempt to go on the market and win races, and provides ourselves a title shot, regardless of the format comes out to be.”
Honeycutt acquired thus far by being prepared to do no matter it took to earn alternatives. He labored within the store at OnPoint Motorsports and Niece Motorsports alongside the races he put the funding collectively for.
He gained on the CARS Tour and ASA ranges. He gained the celebrated Snowball Derby in 2024. He made the playoffs final 12 months for Niece after which superior to the ultimate 4 when signing with Tricon necessitated a transfer to Halmar Friesen Racing.
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His story may be very old-fashioned, conceptually.
“Once I first moved to North Carolina, it was strictly as a working job,” Honeycutt mentioned. “I used to be in a position to put collectively seven to eight races a 12 months on the pavement Late Mannequin aspect however was a full-time worker at no matter Truck Collection store I labored for.
“I labored actually laborious, and so they knew I used to be a racer and needed to drive, and finally, if you work laborious sufficient, alternatives will come and you could be ready to capitalize on it.”
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So now, after working with profitable crew chiefs like JC Umscheid and Phil Gould, Honeycutt’s journey has taken him to Zipadelli, the two-time champion and winner of 39 nationwide touring collection races atop the pit field.
“He doesn’t speak loads however when he does, you take heed to him, and soak up what he’s saying as a result of it’s actually vital and one thing you could be taught from,” Honeycutt mentioned of Zipadelli. “He’s an especially sensible man. He and David do an excellent job collectively and know what they want from their job.
“However from my expertise, Scott is without doubt one of the quieter sort guys and does his speaking on the race monitor, and can speak afterwards when you’ve seen the laborious work. I feel that’s been superior to see first hand.”
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Honeycutt simply met Zipadelli final 12 months, as soon as he signed with the crew, however largely stored it informal as each of their groups chased the championship. However with the ability to make a playoff run final 12 months with Toyota and HFR is what has Honeycutt most excited for this 12 months.
He’s seen the instruments and now he is aware of the way to use them.
“Having that head begin final 12 months was large for positive,” Honeycutt mentioned. “Getting acclimated with the sim, how Toyota approaches races, figuring out of the efficiency middle and being concerned in, early, with every little thing we’re going to be doing this 12 months helped loads.
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“I do know my means round.
“I’ve been on the store loads for the reason that low season has began and the fellows going again to work. Scott and I’ve a very good relationship going. It’s principally their similar crew from final 12 months, apart from one, and that’s actually vital. So now we simply need to exit and win races, attempt to repeat what they did the final years. We’re going to try to work in the direction of that and I’m actually optimistic about our probabilities.”
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