Q&A with Up-and-Coming Driver BRAYTON LASTER

BY JOSEPH WOLKIN

Brayton Laster may not be a name with which NASCAR fans are familiar, but that will change sooner rather than later.

Laster, better known as the “Pizza Man,” is set to start the season on opening day at Daytona International Speedway, wheeling the No. 03 ARCA Menards Series car for Mullins Racing.

As does any racer, Laster has his sights set on advancing through the NASCAR series over the next five years. His ultimate goal is to race on Sundays with his idols and mentors, but if that does not happen, Laster says he will always be grateful for the opportunities he has been given, the places those opportunities have taken him and the people he has met along the way who have become like family.

Laster said, “Last year, when we came to Daytona for testing, I was speechless. Driving through the tunnel for the first time gave me goosebumps and made the hair on my neck stand up, and it made both my mom and dad cry. Then, when we came back 30 days later and I was going to actually race at Daytona, the feeling was euphoric to say the least. I come from small-track racing and I wanted to soak up the entire experience. Only a fraction of race car drivers ever get to wheel a race car on a track as sacred as Daytona. I am now one of the chosen few who have had the honor.”

The Indiana native made his NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series debut a year ago, and he is determined to have a breakout 2023 season. At just 20 years old, he has plenty to learn but is ready for the challenge.

My dad has owned and worked on race cars since the early ’80s in the Indianapolis area. I have always been my dad’s biggest fan growing up. The second I was old enough to hold a steering wheel, I started racing go-karts. I was 7, and on my first night out I was wrecked twice and T-boned. I told my dad, “That was cool, but I won’t be racing again.” About three years later, I said, “I want to give racing another try.” Luckily, my second attempt was less traumatic than the first, and at that moment, I set my life goal to be a part of the racing community for life.

WHAT WAS IT LIKE TO MAKE YOUR NASCAR CRAFTSMAN TRUCK SERIES DEBUT LAST YEAR?

It was crazy! The race was at Knoxville Raceway in Iowa and was on dirt. I still can’t believe I have a NASCAR Truck Series license. Going into the Knoxville race, I had more experience on dirt than most of the other drivers racing that night. I knew I wasn’t able to compete for the win, but I wanted to gain more experience in this sport at all levels. Unsure how I would perform, and leaning on my years of racing dirt, within the first few laps I knew I had to throw everything I knew about dirt racing out the window. My dirt experience did not apply to the caliber of drivers or trucks I was familiar with. It was an incredible adventure, and my goal was to finish the race. We brought the truck home without a scratch, and finished P27. I was happy with the outcome, grateful for the experience as well as all of the new knowledge I gained.

WHAT ARE YOUR GOALS FOR THIS SEASON?

I want to find Victory Lane. We are running in the ARCA Menards Series with Mullins Racing at Daytona, Talladega and maybe a couple more races at intermediate tracks like Phoenix and Iowa. I want to return to the Truck Series, if possible, and who knows, maybe even an Xfinity Series race this year. For ARCA, Mullins Racing has hung a new Mustang body on my car. We are really excited about this new body and believe the changes will help me to become a better driver. Last year, Daytona was the first time I had ever been on an asphalt track bigger than three-eighthsmile. It was a big jump to go from 70 mph at a short track to 184 mph on the front stretch, a half inch off the bumper of the car in front of me. I have more experience now and I believe I have a shot at turning some heads this season.

YOU’RE ALSO A COLLEGE STUDENT. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO SPLIT YOUR TIME BETWEEN

I’m currently a sophomore at Liberty University online, working toward my business degree. With racing, it’s hard to go to school in person. We have an asphalt super late model that we will be running in 2023 in a NASCAR Roots series. I have always been a hands on, get dirty and do whatever it takes to get the job done kind of person. I’ve always wanted to know how something works, and would take things apart just to see the mechanics inside. My mind is constantly thinking of ways to be faster or what I can do to improve my skill level as a driver. It is a tough balance between working on race cars, school, family and life in general. Luckily, I am able to attend school online and have the flexibility to work school around my racing schedule and my family. I am also working hard to market myself online

WHERE DID THE “PIZZA MAN” NICKNAME COME FROM?

It actually has two origins. One comes from when I was growing up. I was the fat and chubby kid that nobody understood. Everyone laughed at me because I was the nerdy guy at lunch. I was always seen with pizza in my hands and my Pokémon cards, which led to a lot of bullying and teasing during my elementary and middle school years.

The “Pizza Man” name really started to stick at the race track. My dad would give me $10.50 to buy food and I would always get pizza. The people at the track started calling me the “Pizza Kid,” because pizza was always in my hands. Then it grew into an entire identity of sorts when my clothing, socks, hats, hoodies, backpack, glasses, license plate on my personal vehicle and two of my helmets paid tribute to my love of pizza. People outside of our local area started recognizing me at other tracks due to my pepperoni pizza helmet. I feel like the pizza theme has given me a special identity because pizza is something everyone can relate to.