Racing is a sport that demands excellence from drivers both on and off the track, requiring not just exceptional driving skills but also a strong human spirit. This is especially true for up-and-coming Honduran driver Kenneth Canales, who dominates races, makes minimal mistakes, and generously donates his race winnings to benefit the greater good.
“I’ve always wanted to be a racer, but I never had the opportunity until I was 16 years old,” Canales shares. “From there, I started racing in go-karts. After a year of karting, I progressed to pro-trucks with MCM Development, and we ran the full season. We tested and competed in a pro-Late Model, and this year, we moved up to the Modifieds, where we won the championship. We capped the year by running a Pro-Late Model race at Montgomery Motor Speedway.”
Modifieds are open-wheel stock cars with only two gears. NASCAR Cup Series driver Ryan Preece began his career in the NASCAR Modified Series before advancing to the top levels of stock car racing. If Preece’s trajectory is any indication, Canales is on a promising path in his own racing career. Canales’ Modified Tour is under the NASCAR Regional umbrella, which is the path to the ARCA Menards Series.
“This season, we mainly ran the Modified and participated in one Late Model race. It had its ups and downs, especially after last season ended on a low note,” Canales recalls. “Last July was particularly challenging, as we frequently finished races affected by factors out of our control, often due to accidents. This year, we started strong by competing in Speedweeks at New Smyrna Speedway in the Pro-Late Model. I made a mistake during practice, which set us back for the race and made me feel really bad. I didn’t think it’d be a good season at that point, but once I got in the Pro-Modified, the first race, though not the best, was a confidence builder. We saw there was potential because I had the fastest lap in the race. That momentum carried us forward, and we had a pretty good season. We didn’t get into any accidents, scored three wins this season, and won the Modified Championship.”
Canales’ talent is undeniable, with three wins and a championship under his belt. Momentum is key for drivers looking to climb through the ranks, and Canales is no exception. Like most drivers, he dreams of making it to the NASCAR Cup Series, progressing through its various stepping stones. As Canales continues to improve on the track, he also stands out as a role model off the track.
“With the race winnings, I donated the prize money to a charity known as ‘Kids Kicking Cancer,’ located in San Antonio, Texas. I met a kid named Wes, who unfortunately lost both of his eyes at four months old. He attended one of our races, and I got to meet his family. I gave him a tour of the team shop, where he got to sit in the car, turn it on, and feel its vibrations—giving him an unforgettable experience. I also organized a T-shirt giveaway that required the purchase of a raffle ticket. At first, we struggled to sell the tickets, but after promoting the shirts, we sold out.”
Outside of racing, Canales is a student at Valencia College in Orlando, Florida, studying Business Economics. He is the first and currently the only Honduran driver in the sport. His hobbies include running and cooking, and his favorite food is Cajun pasta. At just 19 years old, Kenneth Canales is set to compete for another championship and even more wins heading into 2025. You can follow his journey on his Instagram page and catch several of his races on FloRacing next season.
Stay tuned to everymanoneverycrew.com for updates on his 2025 journey. We’ll be interviewing him after every race next season. Be sure to subscribe to our newsletter, sent via email after each publication.
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