Zachary Tinkle Bio
Zachary Tinkle is an American professional stock car racing driver born on July 3, 2002. He last competed full-time in the ARCA Menards Series East and part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 11 Toyota Camry for Fast Track Racing. Tinkle has built a reputation as a rising talent in American stock car racing since beginning his career in 2021.
Early Life and Background
Zachary Tinkle was born in Speedway, Indiana, a city known for its rich motorsports heritage. He began racing at a young age, starting with go-karts and mini cup cars in the mid-2010s. His early exposure to racing laid the foundation for his competitive career. In 2014, he earned the Rookie of the Year award in the Central States Region Super Cups and went on to win the series championship in 2017. He also secured the Rockford Speedway MiniCup division championship in 2016, demonstrating early promise in his racing pursuits.
Throughout his youth, Tinkle developed his skills in various regional racing series, gaining valuable experience and honing his racecraft. His progression through these formative years was marked by steady improvement and notable successes, which helped him transition to more competitive late model racing series.
Path to NASCAR
Tinkle’s path toward NASCAR began with his participation in the Vore’s Welding CRA Late Model Sportsman championship. In 2018, he placed fifth in the series standings, and in 2019, he achieved significant success by winning two races and capturing the series championship. That same year, he made history by winning the CRA Late Model Sportsman Triple Crown and the Anderson Speedway McGunegill Engines Late Model Series championship, becoming the first driver to claim all three titles in a single year.
In 2020 and 2021, Tinkle competed part-time in the JEG’S / CRA All-Stars Tour, finishing seventh in the 2020 championship. He also participated in Speedweeks at New Smyrna Speedway in the Pro Late Model division, where he posted the fastest qualifying time once and finished seventh in points. These achievements helped him gain recognition and opened opportunities to compete in the ARCA Menards Series and its East division, stepping stones toward NASCAR’s national series.
Zachary Tinkle Career
Early Career (2014–2019)
Tinkle’s early career was marked by success in regional and late model racing series. After winning the Rookie of the Year award in 2014 and the MiniCup division championship in 2016, he advanced to the CRA Late Model Sportsman championship. His 2019 season was a breakthrough, as he won the series championship along with two other prestigious titles, showcasing his talent and versatility on the track.
During these years, Tinkle developed his driving skills and race strategy, gaining experience that would prove valuable as he moved into national-level competition. His achievements in these developmental series established him as a promising young driver in American stock car racing.
ARCA Menards Series and East Breakthrough (2021–Present)
Zachary Tinkle made his ARCA Menards Series debut in 2021 with Wayne Peterson Racing, initially signing for one race before impressing the team enough to secure additional starts. Later that year, he replaced Tim Richmond for the final four races after Richmond was injured. Tinkle continued with Wayne Peterson Racing for most of the 2022 season, gaining valuable experience in the national ARCA series.
In the ARCA Menards Series East, Tinkle was scheduled to debut in 2021 but made his first start in the Bush’s Beans 200 for Richmond Clubb Motorsports instead. In December 2022, he announced a full-time commitment to the East Series for 2023 with Fast Track Racing, driving the No. 11 Toyota Camry. His first full-time season included career-best finishes of seventh at Five Flags Speedway and sixth at Dover Motor Speedway. In early 2024, he confirmed his return to Fast Track Racing for a second full-time East Series season.
Fast Track Racing Era (2023–Present)
Joining Fast Track Racing marked a new chapter in Tinkle’s career, providing him with a stable platform to compete full-time in the ARCA Menards Series East. His performances in 2023 demonstrated growth and consistency, highlighted by top-ten finishes early in the season. This partnership offers Tinkle the opportunity to further develop his skills and contend for higher positions in the series standings.
Driving Style and Strengths
Zachary Tinkle is known for his adaptability across different track types and his steady racecraft. His experience in late model and regional series has equipped him with strong qualifying speed and the ability to maintain consistent pace during races. His collaboration with Fast Track Racing aims to enhance his strategic approach and capitalize on his strengths in short-track racing.
Notable Races and Milestones
Tinkle’s milestone achievements include his 2019 triple championship in late model racing and his transition to ARCA competition. His career-best finishes in the ARCA Menards Series East at Five Flags Speedway and Dover Motor Speedway stand out as key moments that reflect his upward trajectory in professional stock car racing.
Zachary Tinkle Career Wins
Zachary Tinkle’s verified wins primarily come from regional late model racing series, where he secured multiple championships and race victories. His success in the CRA Late Model Sportsman championship and related series underscores his competitive ability and potential for future wins at higher levels of stock car racing.
CRA Late Model Sportsman Highlights
Tinkle’s most notable accomplishments include winning the 2019 CRA Late Model Sportsman Series championship along with the Triple Crown and Anderson Speedway McGunegill Engines Late Model Series titles the same year. These victories established him as a dominant force in late model racing and a driver to watch as he progressed to national series.
Other Wins & Performances
In addition to his late model success, Tinkle earned the Rookie of the Year award in the Central States Region Super Cups in 2014 and won the Rockford Speedway MiniCup division championship in 2016. These early wins contributed to his development and confidence as a young driver.
Zachary Tinkle Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Details about Zachary Tinkle’s family background and any racing lineage are not publicly documented. However, it is known that his father, Brad Tinkle, played a significant role in his life, especially during a challenging period in 2021 when Brad suffered a stroke, impacting Zachary’s racing activities.
Personal Life
Public information about Zachary Tinkle’s personal life, including marital status and children, is not available. He maintains a presence on social media platforms where he engages with fans and shares updates about his racing career.
2025 Season Performance
Looking ahead to the 2025 season, Zachary Tinkle is expected to continue competing full-time in the ARCA Menards Series East with Fast Track Racing. Building on his consistent performances in previous seasons, he aims to improve his standings and contend for race wins. The ongoing partnership with Fast Track Racing and experience gained in prior seasons position him well for further growth and success in the series.
Key factors for his 2025 campaign include refining race strategies, strengthening crew chief collaboration, and capitalizing on his adaptability across different tracks. As he gains more experience, Tinkle’s prospects for making a significant impact in the ARCA Menards Series East remain promising.