Thaddeus Drake Moffitt Bio
Thaddeus Drake Moffitt, born on September 12, 2000, is an American professional stock car racing driver. He has competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series driving the No. 46/70 Toyota for Nitro Motorsports and has experience in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
Early Life and Background
Thaddeus Drake Moffitt was born in Trinity, North Carolina, to Brian Moffitt and Rebecca Petty-Moffitt. His mother is the youngest daughter of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver Richard Petty, placing Moffitt in a prominent racing family. Growing up, he participated in football and other organized sports before focusing on racing.
Moffitt began racing go-karts at age fourteen, progressing to quarter midgets and limited late models at local tracks such as Caraway Speedway and Ace Speedway. He attended Wheatmore High School before switching to online schooling to accommodate his racing career.
Path to NASCAR
Moffitt’s early racing success included winning the 2016 Southeast Limited Late Model Series Challenger Division championship. His initial exposure to stock car racing came through family influences, though he developed his skills independently. He made his ARCA Racing Series debut in 2017, driving for Empire Racing, a satellite team of Richard Petty Motorsports.
He gradually moved up through the ranks, competing in various ARCA races and testing at major tracks such as Daytona International Speedway. His transition to NASCAR’s national series included making his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut in 2022 with Reaume Brothers Racing in collaboration with GMS Racing.
Thaddeus Drake Moffitt Career
Early Career (2016–2017)
Moffitt’s racing career began in earnest in 2016 when he won the Southeast Limited Late Model Series Challenger Division championship. That same year, he secured his first late model race victory. These early accomplishments established him as a promising young driver in regional racing circuits.
In 2017, Moffitt debuted in the ARCA Racing Series at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, driving a car styled after one driven by his grandfather Richard Petty. He competed in three ARCA races that year, with a best finish of eleventh at Lucas Oil Raceway.
ARCA Menards Series Breakthrough (2017–2021)
Throughout 2018, Moffitt expanded his ARCA schedule, competing at tracks including Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, Pocono Raceway, and Lucas Oil Raceway. He earned his first top-ten finish with a tenth place at Toledo Speedway. In 2020, driving for DGR-Crosley, he achieved three top-five finishes over thirteen races, with a career-best fourth place at Memphis.
In 2021, Moffitt continued with the renamed David Gilliland Racing team, participating in nearly the entire ARCA season. His tenure included a controversial incident at Michigan involving a crash that injured another driver. Despite challenges, he demonstrated consistent performance and growth in the series.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and Trans Am Series (2022–Present)
Moffitt made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut in 2022 at Daytona, driving a tribute paint scheme honoring Richard Petty’s 1992 retirement season. In 2023, he competed full-time in the Trans Am Series TA2 class for TeamSLR, earning six top-ten finishes and placing seventh in the class standings.
For the 2024 season, Moffitt was announced as the full-time driver for the new NASCAR team Faction46 in the No. 46 Chevrolet. However, the team shut down mid-season due to financial constraints. Subsequently, he joined Young’s Motorsports to drive the No. 46 truck for the remainder of the season, finishing 32nd in the points standings.
Nitro Motorsports Era (2025–Present)
In 2025, Moffitt is set to return to the ARCA Menards Series full-time with Nitro Motorsports, driving the No. 46/70 Toyota. Early in the year, he scaled back to part-time to accommodate new driver Treyten Lapcevich in the No. 70 entry. This move reflects ongoing adjustments within the team and Moffitt’s career trajectory.
Driving Style and Strengths
Moffitt’s driving style benefits from his experience across multiple racing disciplines, including late models, ARCA, and Trans Am. He is known for his adaptability on various track types and his strategic approach to racing, supported by his family’s racing heritage and mentorship.
Notable Races and Milestones
Key milestones in Moffitt’s career include his 2016 Southeast Limited Late Model Series championship, ARCA debut in a car honoring Richard Petty, and his NASCAR Truck Series debut at Daytona. His participation in the 2019 Goodwood Festival of Speed driving his grandfather’s 1981 racecar is a notable highlight.
Thaddeus Drake Moffitt Career Wins
Moffitt’s verified wins include the 2016 Southeast Limited Late Model Series Challenger Division championship and multiple late model race victories. While he has yet to secure a win in ARCA or NASCAR national series, his consistent top finishes demonstrate his competitive potential.
Southeast Limited Late Model Series Highlights
In 2016, Moffitt captured the Southeast Limited Late Model Series Challenger Division championship, marking his first major racing title. This achievement established him as a rising talent in stock car racing and set the stage for his progression to higher series.
Other Wins & Performances
Moffitt has earned several top-ten finishes in the ARCA Menards Series and the Trans Am Series TA2 class, including a best finish of second at the Detroit Street Circuit in 2023. His performances in regional and national series reflect steady development and adaptability.
Thaddeus Drake Moffitt Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Thaddeus Moffitt is part of the Petty racing dynasty through his mother, Rebecca Petty-Moffitt, daughter of NASCAR legend Richard Petty. This lineage connects him to one of the most storied families in motorsports history, providing a rich heritage and valuable insight into professional racing.
Personal Life
Moffitt maintains a private personal life with no public information about a spouse or children. He has engaged with fans through social media platforms and continues to build his career while honoring his family’s legacy.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Thaddeus Moffitt is competing part-time in the ARCA Menards Series with Nitro Motorsports, driving the No. 46/70 Toyota. The season includes adjustments to accommodate new team drivers, reflecting the dynamic nature of his racing commitments. Moffitt aims to leverage his experience to achieve strong results and further his career progression.