Young Speedsters Take the Spotlight in “Kid Racers,” Premiering Dec. 17 On The NASCAR Channel
You think you know pressure? Try staring down a red-clay oval at Millbridge Speedway, hands gripping the wheel of a winged Outlaw kart, engine screaming at your back. Now imagine doing it before you’ve even learned long division. That’s the reality for the stars of the new NASCAR Studios documentary, Kid Racers.
Premiering Wednesday, Dec. 17 at 7 p.m. ET exclusively on The NASCAR Channel, this feature-length film pulls back the curtain on one of the most intense, hidden corners of American motorsports. It’s not just about speed; it’s about families betting everything on a dream, and 8-year-olds carrying the weight of that ambition at 55 miles per hour.
Why Millbridge Speedway Makes or Breaks Kid Racers
If you talk to anyone in the garage area, they’ll tell you: if you can win at Millbridge, you can win anywhere. Located in Salisbury, North Carolina, this dirt track isn’t just a patch of clay. It’s the unofficial proving ground for the sport’s future stars. The documentary takes us right into the pits at Millbridge, where the smell of race fuel hangs heavy, and the stakes feel even heavier.
These aren’t just weekend hobbyists. These Kid Racers are going wheel-to-wheel with the offspring of legends like Kyle Busch, Kyle Larson, and Clint Bowyer. There’s no “participation trophy” mentality here. You either have the instinct to find the grip, or you get left in the dust.
John Dahl, NASCAR senior vice president of content, put it perfectly when he said the film shines a light on an “authentically charged corner of our sport.” It captures where the passion starts, long before corporate sponsorships and private jets. It begins here, with a dad wrenching on a kart late into the night and a mom holding her breath as the green flag drops.
Meet the Fearless Young Drivers
The heart of Kid Racers isn’t the machinery. It’s the drivers. The film follows five families, each with a unique story and a child who seems far too young to be this fearless. First, there’s Tanner Tucker. He’s the 2022 season champion, but he’s racing for something bigger than a trophy. Tanner is carrying his father’s unfinished NASCAR dream on his shoulders.
Watching him race, you see a focus that borders on obsession, a kid who understands legacy before he even understands algebra. Then you have Giselle Hicks. She’s a fourth-generation racer fighting for her spot in a male-dominated class. The doubt from outsiders is loud, but her driving is more audible.
Her story is a reminder that the race track doesn’t care who you are. It only cares how fast you are. Jackson Darnell brings a different flavor to the track. He’s the analytical one, dubbed the “nicest guy on the track.” He’s already showing the instincts of a future broadcaster, dissecting lines and setups with a maturity that belies his age.
Gabe Yacono represents the pure soul of grassroots racing. He’s the sportsman of the group, racing for the joy of the speed and the community around him. In a sport that can get cutthroat fast, Gabe is a refreshing reminder of why we all fell in love with racing in the first place.
Finally, there’s Chase DeMarco. A diehard fan and multi-talented racer, Chase faces late-season setbacks that would crush most adults. Watching him navigate disappointment is where the documentary’s real emotion hits home.
Where to Watch Kid Racers
This isn’t just a highlight reel. Directed by Cynthia Hill, the Peabody Award-winning filmmaker behind “A Chef’s Life” and “Road to Raceday,” Kid Racers digs deep. Hill knows how to find the human moments amidst the noise of the engines. She captures the silent car rides home after a loss, the financial strain on the parents, and the pure, unadulterated joy of a victory lane celebration.
You can catch the premiere of Kid Racers on The NASCAR Channel. It’s NASCAR’s free, ad-supported streaming network available on platforms like The Roku Channel, Tubi, Samsung TV Plus, Amazon Prime Video, and Xumo Play. No subscription needed, just tune in and witness the start of tomorrow’s headlines.
Final Thoughts
For anyone who loves racing, this is mandatory viewing. It’s a look at the sport in its rawest form. These Kid Racers aren’t doing it for the money or the fame not yet, anyway. They’re doing it because they have to. Because when that engine fires, nothing else matters.
