Isaac Kitzmiller Makes History with ARCA East Championship at Just 15 Years Old

The roar of engines at Bristol Motor Speedway couldn’t drown out the emotion in Isaac Kitzmiller’s voice as he climbed out of his car, knowing he’d just secured something special. At 15 years old, this kid from North Carolina had done what many veteran drivers only dream of.

He captured an ARCA Menards Series East championship in his rookie season. Standing there in victory lane, trophy in hand, Kitzmiller looked almost overwhelmed by what he’d accomplished. And honestly, who could blame him? Just months earlier, he wasn’t even sure he belonged in these cars.

From Legends Cars to Championship Glory

When the 2025 season kicked off at Pensacola, Kitzmiller wasn’t thinking championship. Hell, he was just trying not to embarrass himself. Coming from Legends cars – those tiny, lightweight machines that dart around quarter-mile ovals – to full-bodied ARCA cars was like jumping from a go-kart to a freight train.”This year has been a learning curve,” Kitzmiller admitted after securing the title.

“Entering Pensacola, I wasn’t thinking we would be competing for the championship. I had no laps in the ARCA car, and it took me by surprise getting the points lead halfway through the season.”The transition wasn’t just about speed or power. These ARCA cars are beasts compared to what he was used to. They’re heavy, they roll over in the corners, and they demand respect. One wrong move, and you’re kissing the wall or worse.

But Kitzmiller adapted. Race after race, he showed the kind of maturity that usually takes years to develop. While other drivers were making rookie mistakes, crashing out, or getting caught up in drama, Kitzmiller was quietly putting together top-10 finishes and building points.

The Kitzmiller Racing Dynasty

You can’t tell Isaac’s story without mentioning his father, Jason Kitzmiller. Jason’s been grinding it out in ARCA competition for years, and it was watching his dad race at Daytona in 2020 that lit the fire in Isaac’s belly.”It’s amazing to think that just three years ago, Isaac was taking his first Legends test,” Jason reflected.

“He’s made big strides this year and has been real competitive. A lot of the kids he’s racing have been racing for six, eight or 10 years, so he’s had to overcome that and make up for starting a little late.”Racing runs in the family, and Jason’s experience with CR7 Motorsports opened doors for his son. But don’t think Isaac got any free passes. If anything, having a racing father meant higher expectations and more pressure to perform.

The highlight of their relationship on track came at Dover Motor Speedway, where father and son raced wheel-to-wheel for 20 laps. Picture that moment, a dad watching his teenage son hold his own against seasoned competitors on one of NASCAR’s toughest tracks. The pride Jason felt had to be overwhelming.

Dover: The Defining Moment

If you ask Kitzmiller about his favorite moment from the championship season, he’ll tell you it was Dover. Not because he won – he finished fourth, but because that’s where everything clicked. Dover Motor Speedway chews up veteran drivers and spits them out. It’s called “The Monster Mile” for a reason.

The concrete surface is unforgiving, the banking is steep, and one mistake can end your day in the blink of an eye.”Dover was a super tough track to learn, especially in practice, only getting 45 minutes,” Kitzmiller explained. “Having to carry that much throttle time, it was hard to tell myself to almost stay wide open, but getting a fourth-place finish out of Dover was super cool.”

That fourth-place finish was more than just a good result. It was validation. It proved to Kitzmiller, his team, and everyone watching that this wasn’t just some lucky kid having a good season. This was a legitimate talent who could compete anywhere.

The Championship Formula: Consistency Over Flash

While other drivers were swinging for the fences, trying to steal wins and make headlines, Kitzmiller played the long game. His approach was simple but effective. Bring the car home in one piece, collect points, and avoid trouble. It wasn’t always exciting. There were races where he probably could have pushed harder, taken more risks, maybe even stolen a victory.

But championships aren’t won with one brilliant drive, but they’re built with 20 solid performances. “Not wrecking cars is a super big thing,” Kitzmiller noted. “We can bring the cars back to the shop and work on them even more; that’s been the biggest thing.”Seven of his eight East Series starts resulted in top-10 finishes. That’s the kind of consistency that wins championships and catches the attention of bigger teams looking for their next star.

The Support System That Made It Possible

Behind every successful young driver is a support system, and Kitzmiller had one of the best. Beyond his father’s guidance, he had Ron Hornaday Jr., a legend in truck racing, as a mentor through the Team Hornaday Development program. The CR7 Motorsports organization provided top-notch equipment and experienced crew members who believed in the kid from day one. I

In racing, having fast cars matters, but having people who trust you to bring those cars home matters even more.”CR7 has brought really good cars,” Kitzmiller acknowledged. It’s a simple statement, but in racing, equipment can make or break a career. Having reliable, competitive cars allowed him to focus on learning and improving rather than fighting mechanical gremlins every weekend.

The Weight of Expectations and Future Dreams

Now that Kitzmiller has proven he can compete at this level, expectations will skyrocket. He joins an impressive list of East Series champions that includes Joey Logano, Kyle Larson, William Byron, and other NASCAR stars. That’s both inspiring and intimidating.The plan for 2026 is still taking shape, but you can bet it will involve more ARCA competition and possibly a step up to the main ARCA Menards Series.

Every young driver dreams of NASCAR, and Kitzmiller’s championship has put him firmly on the radar of Cup Series teams looking for the next generation of talent. But he’s not getting ahead of himself. The kid who wasn’t even thinking about a championship at the start of the season knows there’s still work to do.”It’s been a really big learning process,” he reflected. “From not getting any laps in prior years, I feel like we’ve done pretty good.”

Racing Toward Tomorrow

Standing in that Bristol winner’s circle, championship trophy gleaming under the lights, Isaac Kitzmiller represented something pure about motorsports. Here was a kid who fell in love with racing, watching his dad, worked his way up through the ranks, and achieved something remarkable through talent and determination. The emotion was real.  The accomplishment was earned.

And the future? Well, that’s still being written. At 15, most kids are worried about algebra tests and weekend plans. Kitzmiller is thinking about his next race, his next championship, and maybe someday running at Daytona in February with the best drivers in the world.For now, though, he can savor this moment. ARCA Menards Series East champion. At 15 years old. In his rookie season.Not bad for a kid who just wanted to see if he could hang with the big boys.