It has been 30 years since the first Cook Out Summer Shootout took place on the quarter-mile of Charlotte Motor Speedway. In 1993, the series consisted of two Legend Car divisions, Pro and Semi-Pro. In 2023, seven divisions across Legend Cars and Bandoleros for eight-straight weeks will race for an opportunity to claim victory at America’s Home for Racing.

“We are proud to be celebrating the 30th anniversary of the Cook Out Summer Shootout this summer alongside Charlotte Motor Speedway,” said Graham Smith, vice president of business operations for U.S. Legend Cars International. “Every driver competing over the next two months will race on the same asphalt NASCAR drivers use twice a year, many of whom developed their skills racing Bandoleros and Legend Cars in the Summer Shootout.”

Every driver you meet in the garage will say winning a Summer Shootout race isn’t an easy task, let alone the championship. Just ask 2022 Summer Shootout Pro Division Champion, Landen Lewis. He currently competes in the ARCA Menards Series West, but earned his first ever victory in Summer Shootout last season.

“I have been racing at the Summer Shootout for four years and finished second and third so many times,” said Lewis. “Winning my first Summer Shootout race in 2022 meant so much to me and my team. Joe Ryan (team owner) at the beginning of that four years told me once you win one Summer Shootout race they come a lot easier.”

Lewis went on to win three times in 2022 and scored nine podiums through 10 races.

This year is expected to draw a larger car count compared to one year ago, with the Young Lions and Semi-Pro Legend Car classes set to draw over 30 cars per night. B Mains are expected for those classes, a direct result of an increased car count.

“The Semi-Pro field is the largest class out there and filled with amazing talent,” said 2022 Semi-Pro Champion Carson Brown. “A lot of past [Summer Shootout] winners have gone on to do great things, and it was exciting to add my name to that list of drivers.”

In 2023, Brown makes the jump from the Legend Car Semi-Pro division to the Pro division, and made his Pro Late Model debut this past February. He captured three victories in 2022 and a total of seven top three finishes in last year’s Summer Shootout.

Kaeden Ballos has been racing with U.S. Legend Cars International since 2020. For the past three years he’s been wheeling a Bandolero around the Charlotte quarter-mile, earning the Outlaws Division title in 2022 following seven podiums and three victories. He has graduated from the Bandolero Outlaws division to the Legend Car Young Lions division in 2023, where he has been racing since March.

“The challenges moving from a Bandolero to a Legend Car that I face is learning to be smoother in every aspect and learning how it handle more power and speed,” said Ballos. “The Summer Shootout is so difficult because the best of the best bandolero drivers in the country are seeking the same goal; winning. The results truly come down to who wants it the most and who is willing to work the hardest for it.”

In celebration of the 30th anniversary, all four Round 1 Legend Car A Main features will be 30 laps in length, as opposed to the standard 25. Tickets for Monday events will be $5 for adults and $10 on Tuesdays. Kids 12 and under are FREE!

Streaming coverage of all 10 rounds of the 2023 Cook Out Summer Shootout can be viewed on Flo Racing.

2023 Cook Out Summer Shootout Schedule

Round 1 – June 12
Round 2 – June 13
Round 3 – June 20
Round 4 – June 27
Round 5 – July 3
Round 6 – July 4
Round 7 – July 11
Round 8 – July 18
Round 9 – July 25
Round 10 – August 1

About US Legend Cars

U.S. Legend Cars International is a leader in motorsports entertainment. With the mission of creating a space where the art of racing is accessible to everyone, U.S. Legend Cars has created an extensive network that includes dozens of dealers across the United States and the entire globe equipped to accommodate any driver’s needs. U.S. Legend Cars International uses only the best parts and accessories in the industry to give drivers high quality cars and experiences out on the racetrack. Further information about U.S. Legend Cars International can be found at www.uslegendcars.com.