Against the Heat, Against the Odds: What Chicagoland Taught Us
The final result from Chicagoland Speedway does not come close to telling the full story of Landon Brown’s second stock-car race—ever.
Landon’s introduction to the ARCA Menards Series began with a trial by fire. His first laps in an ARCA car came during a test at Kansas Speedway, a fast 1.5-mile intermediate track where he had to immediately adjust to higher speeds, a much heavier car, unfamiliar systems, aerodynamic forces, and a closed cockpit unlike anything in his Kenyon Midget background.
It was an overwhelming amount to absorb, but those laps proved invaluable.
Kansas and Chicagoland are similar intermediate tracks, and the test gave Landon a foundation he could rely on when he arrived for his first race on a mile-and-a-half speedway. He already understood more about the speed, weight, aerodynamics, and how quickly everything happens on a track of that size.
That experience made a significant difference throughout the Chicagoland weekend.
Between those two events came Landon’s ARCA debut at Nashville, where he qualified sixth and was running seventh before an electrical problem ended his race early. The result did not show it, but the performance proved the speed and ability were there.
It also showed the quality of the opportunity Bill and Will Kimmel had given Landon.
Kimmel Racing provided Landon with a fast, competitive car at Nashville, allowing him to qualify near the front and race inside the top 10 in his first stock-car start. The team followed that by bringing another strong car to Chicagoland—one that again showed the speed to compete much better than the final result indicated.
Landon and Kimmel Racing arrived at Chicagoland ready to build on that progress. Instead, the weekend became a demanding test of adaptability, physical endurance, teamwork, and perseverance.
It was difficult. It was exhausting. It was also extremely valuable.
Drinking From a Firehose
Although the Kansas test provided an important head start, testing and racing are two very different experiences.
At Chicagoland, Landon had to apply what he had learned while racing around other cars, communicating with the team, managing changing conditions, and preparing for a race four to five times longer than those in his midget.
The differences between the two cars are dramatic. An ARCA car weighs approximately 3,400 pounds with almost 700 hp compared with roughly 900 pounds for a Kenyon Midget at 150 hp. The ARCA Mustang reaches approximately 180 mph at Chicagoland versus a top speed of about 100 mph in the midget. It also has numerous gauges, switches, and operating systems that must be monitored throughout the race which the midget does not have.
The midget’s open cockpit provides significant airflow. An ARCA car’s closed cockpit can reach temperatures of approximately 130 to 140 degrees during extreme summer conditions.
Landon was not simply learning a new race car. He was learning an entirely different form of racing.
It was like drinking from a firehose.
The First Warning Came in Practice
During practice, Landon became extremely overheated and dehydrated inside the car. The session had to be ended early, and he was taken to the infield care center before continuing his recovery in the team’s hauler.
That cost him valuable track time as he worked to understand the racing line, traffic, aerodynamic effects, and how the car changed during a run.
Qualifying was later canceled because of weather, placing the No. 69 Kimmel Racing Ford Mustang 15th on the starting grid.
Before the green flag ever fell, Landon had already experienced a significant physical setback and had considerably less preparation time than planned.
An Early Problem Changes the Race
The rain contributed to another issue at the start of the race.
Water had found its way into the fuel system, causing the engine to miss almost immediately after the green flag. Landon dropped to 19th and lost two laps while the Kimmel Racing team diagnosed the problem.
The crew responded quickly and continued working through the issue. After additional fuel was added and the water was sufficiently diluted, the engine began running properly.
From that point forward, the night became a comeback effort.
Landon continued improving his lap times, gained confidence, and steadily closed the gap to the cars ahead. By the end of the race, he had caught the 10th-place car and was fighting to make the pass when the checkered flag flew.
The official result was 15th, two laps down.
The performance told a much more encouraging story—and once again demonstrated the speed Kimmel Racing had built into the No. 69.
More Than 100 Laps Against the Heat
As Landon worked his way back from the early engine problem, the heat and dehydration issues he experienced during practice returned.
Landon uses a cooling-shirt system designed to circulate chilled water underneath his racing suit. In extreme cockpit temperatures, it can provide critical relief. However, miscommunication surrounding its operation caused it to become a detriment instead of an advantage.
Rather than helping control his body temperature, the system eventually left him wearing a hot, water-soaked shirt beneath his firesuit inside an already scorching race car.
He still had more than 100 laps to complete.
While becoming increasingly overheated and exhausted, Landon had to race at nearly 180 mph, manage a 3,400-pound car, monitor unfamiliar systems, communicate with the crew, compete in traffic, and understand how the car was changing.
All of this was happening during only his second stock-car race.
It would have been understandable for him to climb out.
Instead, he gutted it out.
Landon continued getting faster, communicating with the team, and chasing the cars ahead until the checkered flag. After the race, he returned to the infield care center and received an IV for severe dehydration. Weighing in at only 155 lbs to begin with, Landon lost 8 lbs during the weekend!
That determination will not appear in the finishing order, but it says a great deal about Landon’s toughness, character, and commitment.
What the Finishing Order Did Not Show
Despite everything that happened, Chicagoland provided several major positives.
The Kansas test clearly helped Landon adapt to the similar speedway. Even after losing practice time, starting the race already affected by the heat, falling to 19th, and losing two laps, he continued progressing throughout the night.
Once the fuel problem was resolved, the No. 69 showed pace capable of competing around the top 10. Landon remained composed and refused to let the early problems determine the rest of his race.
The performance was also another reminder of the quality of the cars Kimmel Racing has provided.
At Nashville, Landon qualified sixth and raced competitively inside the top 10. At Chicagoland, once the early running issue was resolved, he consistently closed on the cars ahead and reached the 10th-place competitor by the finish.
Bill, Will, and the entire Kimmel Racing team have given Landon the speed and equipment needed to be competitive in both of his first two ARCA starts. We are extremely grateful for their hard work, guidance, patience, and belief in Landon as he makes this enormous transition.
Landon also had an experienced and valuable voice guiding him from above the racetrack. NASCAR garage veteran David Pepper of ThorSport did an outstanding job spotting for Landon throughout the race. His calm communication, detailed feedback, and coaching helped Landon navigate traffic, understand the changing conditions, and continue learning while facing one of the most physically demanding races of his career.
Having someone with David’s experience helping guide Landon through the race was an important part of his progress throughout the night, and we are very appreciative of the time and knowledge he shared.
The Chicagoland weekend also provided valuable lessons in racing at sustained intermediate-track speeds, managing long green-flag runs, communicating with the crew, operating the car’s systems, and preparing for extreme cockpit temperatures.
It exposed areas that needed to be addressed as well. Changes have already been made to hydration preparation, driver cooling procedures, equipment operation, and race-day communication.
A tremendous amount was learned in a very short period of time.
Some lessons are learned through success. Others are learned under the most difficult circumstances.
Both can make a driver and team stronger.
Away from the track, Landon’s appearance at the Joliet Menards provided another opportunity to meet fans, sign autographs, and introduce more people to the Landon Brown Racing story.
With every race and appearance, the program continues to gain recognition, visibility, and support.
Next Stop: Indianapolis Raceway Park
Landon’s next scheduled ARCA Menards Series race will be Friday, July 24, at Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park.
IRP presents a completely different challenge. The short oval demands precision, patience, tire management, and the ability to race in close quarters.
It will also be only Landon’s third career stock-car start.
The goal is to combine the experience gained at Kansas with the speed shown at Nashville and Chicagoland, then apply every lesson learned so far.
The team will arrive at IRP with improved hydration and cooling procedures, clearer communication, and a better understanding of what Landon needs inside the car.
Kimmel Racing has provided competitive speed in each of Landon’s first two starts. Now the goal is to put together a complete race and earn the finish that reflects the work and potential shown by Landon and the entire team.
The race will be broadcast live on FS1, providing another national television opportunity for Landon, Kimmel Racing, and the partners supporting the No. 69.
The speed has been there. The effort has been there.
Now, with valuable lessons behind us and hopefully a little racing luck on our side, IRP can become the successful race we have been working toward—and one we can build on for the remainder of the season.
What Comes After IRP?
IRP is currently the final race on Landon’s confirmed 2026 ARCA schedule.
It does not have to be the final race of the season.
The first two finishes have not reflected the program’s potential, but Landon’s speed, improvement, national exposure, and growing recognition have created genuine momentum.
Additional opportunities remain available, including a possible return to Kansas Speedway—the track where Landon’s ARCA journey began. Returning would allow him to bring everything he has learned back to the place where he first climbed into an ARCA car.
Adding Kansas or other races will depend on securing the business partnerships required to continue competing.
Landon has earned approval to compete at the tracks under consideration. He has shown that he can adapt quickly, race with experienced drivers, overcome difficult circumstances, and represent partners professionally on and off the racetrack.
Just as importantly, the partnership with Kimmel Racing has shown that Landon can step into competitive equipment and quickly demonstrate speed. Continuing to build that driver-and-team relationship could create even stronger opportunities as more experience is gained.
The program now needs the support required to keep building.
Become Part of the Momentum
Landon Brown Racing is actively seeking business partners who want to become part of this growing program.
Opportunities range from smaller Support Partner placements to prominent branding on the race car, driver suit, website, social media, event appearances, and national television broadcasts.
Our partners receive more than a logo on a race car. They become part of a story centered on determination, education, family, perseverance, teamwork, and pursuing opportunity against some of the most established teams in American motorsports.
Landon is a Trinity High School graduate, a University of Kentucky engineering student, and a young driver working to earn every opportunity he receives.
Kimmel Racing has supplied the competitive cars.
Landon has shown the speed, adaptability, and determination.
Experienced people have stepped forward to help guide him.
The progress is real.
The attention is growing.
The momentum is building.
Now, Landon Brown Racing needs business partners who can help keep that momentum going, add more races to the 2026 schedule, and give Landon and Kimmel Racing more opportunities to turn competitive speed into strong finishes.
To learn more, visit the Partner With Landon section of LandonBrownRacing.com.
Chicagoland tested Landon in nearly every way imaginable.
He made it to the checkered flag.
Now, together with Kimmel Racing, we move forward to IRP.