In NASCAR’s rich history of grit and grit only, few names embody the blue-collar backbone of the sport like Ron Hornaday Jr. A four-time Truck Series champion, Hornaday built his legacy not just behind the wheel but in the garage. Elbow-deep in grease, shaping race trucks with his own two hands. The Californian’s no-nonsense style, both on and off the track, made him a fan favorite and mentor to many.
But as the next generation of racers trades shop floors for simulators, Hornaday is starting to ask some tough questions. Are these young guns truly ready for the demands of the sport? Or are they simply playing at it? One story with his grandson lit the fuse for a passionate and pointed critique. And Hornaday, well, he didn’t hold back.
Ron Hornaday calls out ‘Sim-Gen’ racers
Ron Hornaday Jr. has never been one to mince words, and his recent comments hit at the heart of today’s racing culture. Recalling a moment with his grandson where the latter was playing a simulator game, Hornaday was skeptical. However, his grandson assured him that there was no need to worry. If he crashed, he could simply push a button to reset. As Hornaday’s grandson explained, “You wrecked, all you got to do is push a button and get a new truck.” That, he warned, is how too many young drivers view the sport today.
To counter that, Hornaday’s daughter, Candice, launched Hornaday Development in 2022. They work with drivers competing in go-karts, Legend cars, late-models, and their growth into the NASCAR ranks. The standout feature about their program is that it is grounded in old-school racing values. “We’re taking kids anywhere from 9 years old all the way up. I’ve had Landedn Lewis since he was 11,” he explained. The goal? Instill discipline beyond the driver’s seat—manners at the table, respect for sponsors, and above all, an understanding of the grind behind the garage doors.
Moreover, Hornaday insists every driver under his wing must live and learn. Hornaday added, “You got to come down here and live with us for a month. You got to learn how to work on the cars. You gotta get your fingers dirty, you gotta know what you’re driving. Some of these kids don’t know how to do that. I hate to sound negative but some of them don’t belong in there… My little driver, Landen Lewis, ain’t got the money to do it, so he’s still sitting, you know.”
In his view, understanding machinery is just as vital as mastering the wheel, a lesson he fears today’s sim-trained drivers are missing entirely. While he admits not all fall into that category, Ron Hornaday believes many racers rise too quickly, bypassing the character-building struggles that once defined the path to NASCAR. For Hornaday, racing is earned, not simulated. Meanwhile, these drivers who come in with heavy pockets get a chance over hard-working ones, and that gets under Hornaday’s skin.
“These kids don’t have to work on their equipment, not all of them…they’re treating them like you can push a button and get a new truck,”
– @RonHornaday says of the current racing-style of young drivers in the sport.
“Some of them don’t belong in there and some of them do.”… pic.twitter.com/U69EUVyIkE
— Noah Lewis (@Noah_Lewis1) April 6, 2025
Among the young talents Hornaday mentioned was Landen Lewis, who joined the program at just 11. Hornaday added, frustrated by the money-driven structure of modern racing. “He’s won some ARCA races, he’s won some Truck races, he’s good enough to win races. It’s just a matter of equipment.” And Landon’s resume is a testament to Hornaday’s praise.
150 wins, a Maxx Nationals win, 4 Maxx Jr Daddy championships, as well as 4 Maxx Daddy championships
6 wins, 8 poles, 15 top 5’s, 26 top 10’s, and the Most Popular Driver Award for the Mid-East Dirt Modified Series
Dirt Nationals, Asphalt Nationals, Winter Nationals, Road Course World Finals, and North Carolina State championships in Legends cars
2 wins, 14 top 10s, and 2 poles in the ARCA Menards Series West,
Landen remains on the sidelines, not for lack of talent but due to financial roadblocks. In the Truck Series, Lewis has managed to participate in only 3 races over 2 years. Not a testament to his ability, but a reflection of the harsh economics of racing today.
Veteran drivers emphasize mechanical mastery for rising racers
Ron Hornaday isn’t the only one with strong opinions on how the next generation should learn the sport. His old-school outlook mirrors that of other NASCAR veterans who came up when knowing the car inside and out was expected, not optional. Back then, mechanical knowledge wasn’t just a bonus; it was a baseline.
Kyle Petty once spoke about how he trained his late son, Adam Petty. “I’d lock him in the trailer and change the spring,” he said. Then, he’d send Adam on the track to figure out the change. “Can you adjust as a driver, or do we need to work on the car?” It wasn’t just a lesson, it was a legacy passed down from Lee to Richard to Kyle and Adam.
Dale Earnhardt Sr. was the same. Before becoming “The Intimidator,” he was the “Ironhead,” who worked on his own cars in Kannapolis, North Carolina. According to reports, Dale Earnhardt once built an entire racecar chassis in a rented garage with minimal tools. His mechanical touch gave him an edge on the track. He knew what the car needed because he had his hands on every bolt.
Even Harry Gant’s mechanical awareness was responsible for his success, inspiring the next generation of NASCAR drivers. As Tony Stewart pointed out once, “I mean, he [Harry Gant] knew just by feel. It wasn’t a computer telling him what to do.” Stewart himself cut his teeth in USAC and dirt tracks, fixing his own cars and learning from every busted axle and loose sway bar.
These legends didn’t just drive the cars; they lived them. That’s what makes Hornaday’s message so powerful. His driver, Landen Lewis, has done everything right. Learned the craft, respected the process but still finds himself without a ride. In today’s racing landscape, is heart and hard work still enough to make it? What do you think? Let us know in the comments!
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