Kaden Reynolds ‘just doing me’ on the racetrack

CEDAR RAPIDS — An outstanding week at Boone Speedway last month helped Kaden Reynolds add several trophies to his quickly filling display case, including IMCA Stock Car National Rookie of the Year.

“I didn't really know what I wanted this year,” Reynolds said. “It's been such a different year.”

In 2021, Reynolds earned the IMCA Hobby Stock national title after collecting 31 victories. This season, the Kennedy High School grad finished first 18 times and claimed a track championship at Benton County Speedway in Vinton in his rookie campaign in a stock car.

That title at the Bullring also gained him entry into some big races in Boone.

It started with time trials for the B&B Racing Chassis All-Star Invitational where Reynolds earned the seventh starting slot. The next night, Reynolds won his A-Main qualifier just an hour before holding off defending champion Kelly Shryock in the 30-lap all-star challenge.

The 21-year-old's Benton County crown allowed him to run in the Race of Champions on the third night, surrounded by fierce competition.

“Just looking at the field, I was content just to make it,” Reynolds said. “I started second, took my time and ran a perfect race. I ended up putting a 4.5-second space between myself and the field while leading all 12 laps.”

Reynolds hears the skeptics, although they motivate him more than anything.

“To go to Boone and show out like that, I think proved a point,” Reynolds said. “I was content with whatever happened after the week we had. Saturday would have been icing on the cake in a perfect world.”

On that night, Reynolds started in the middle of the front row between very familiar foes. Dallon Murty was in the pole position and Dalton’s father, Damon, was on the outside.

“Having the Vinton boys 1-2-3 on the front row was pretty cool,” said Reynolds who led a few laps at the beginning before finishing third.

Dallon Murty took the A-Main's checkered flag.

“It's a humbling sport because after the week I had I was holding myself to a high standard like usual,” Reynolds said. “Being my rookie year in a stock car with the week I had, I can't ask for too much.”

Reynolds wrapped up his season with a big victory last weekend, capturing the Iowa Dirt Nationals in Dubuque and taking home a $5,000 check.

“I'm just doing me,” Reynolds said. “I just drive my car and go to work and whatever happens, happens.”