Carson Loftin
Car: No. 22 | Team: Nelson Motorsports | Manufacturer: Chevrolet | Status: Full-time CARS Tour LMSC | Hometown: Lexington, NC | Age: 18
Career Highlights
Carson Loftin is one of the youngest full-time competitors on the 2026 CARS Tour Late Model Stock Car circuit, racing the No. 22 Chevrolet for Nelson Motorsports out of Lexington, North Carolina. At just 18, he is already considered one of the most promising short-track talents in the Southeast.
Racing is in the Loftin bloodline. His father, Brian Loftin, was the 2008 Bowman Gray Stadium Modified Division champion — a title that carries real weight in the North Carolina racing community. Carson grew up around the track and began competing at a young age, working his way through Legends cars and Bandoleros before stepping up to Late Model Stock Cars.
Loftin earned the 2025 CARS Tour Rookie of the Year award, a distinction that confirmed his readiness for the series' top division. He also competes in the SMART Modified Tour, giving him seat time across multiple platforms and expanding his racecraft.
For the 2026 season, Loftin continues with Nelson Motorsports, a team with deep roots in Late Model Stock competition. His combination of youth, pedigree, and an already-impressive trophy case makes him a driver to watch as the CARS Tour season unfolds.