Buddy Kofoid is gearing up for an exciting season, fully recovered from an illness that sidelined him during a series of races on two different continents over the past month. As he enters his third consecutive year competing full-time, he is poised to make a serious run for the World of Outlaws championship.
So, what exactly kept Kofoid from participating in the Chili Bowl Midget Nationals and a significant portion of sprint car races down under?
"I’m feeling much better and back to where I need to be," Kofoid shared during a media Zoom roundtable this past Friday morning. "To give you a bit more detail, it was quite unusual. In short, I was dealing with some kind of bacterial issue... not precisely an infection but rather a parasite. I believe it stemmed from contaminated water or ice while I was in Australia.
"This led to inflammation of my appendix and small intestine, which had my medical team quite concerned. I lost quite a bit of weight—weight that I really couldn’t afford to lose—and I was utterly drained trying to prepare for the Chili Bowl. Unfortunately, I didn’t get cleared in time to race on Friday due to not meeting the necessary health benchmarks.
"But now, I feel significantly improved after spending three days training at the Toyota Performance Center in North Carolina. I worked out every day and felt good doing it. I am back to normal and steadily regaining weight. I’m ready to hit the track!"
As he should be! The talented 24-year-old driver for Roth Motorsports has emerged as a formidable contender against two-time and reigning champion David Gravel this season. Last year, Kofoid claimed an impressive twelve wins, a notable increase from his seven victories during his rookie year. He also topped the earnings chart, bringing home $780,210.
The same successful team remains intact and unchanged, which is excellent news for Kofoid.
"We’re just switching up the graphics—that’s all," Kofoid noted. "I get to keep working with the same fantastic crew that I enjoy racing alongside. We’ve got the same Toyota engines, shocks, and cars. Everything is identical except for the new wraps on the trailer and cars."
With 20 wins on the World of Outlaws tour, Kofoid is already the second-most successful driver in Roth Motorsports history, trailing only Danny Lasoski, who has 41 wins. Now, Kofoid aims to become the first driver ever to clinch a championship for Dennis and Theresa Roth, along with Toyota’s Andy Graves.
"I genuinely feel their belief in me and their commitment to our shared goals," Kofoid expressed. "They trust that our efforts will lead to success, and I have never felt more at ease driving a Sprint Car than I do now, largely thanks to Dylan and his expertise.
"He is an incredibly skilled crew chief, building outstanding cars and ensuring I feel comfortable behind the wheel. He addresses any issues I encounter, and while it may not astonish me anymore, it continually impresses just how talented he is."
Kofoid firmly believes that his team stands on the brink of making significant strides forward.
"Honestly, the final piece of the puzzle depends on me," Kofoid admitted. "I simply need to learn and improve. There are certain tracks where both Dylan and I faced challenges together, and we are actively working on those. While we've both been in this sport for a while, the learning never stops, and neither does the quest for improvement."
Interestingly, Gravel believes Kofoid is already on the right track.
"Buddy has made considerable progress," said the reigning champion. "He had a few rough patches early last season, but if you exclude the first third of that year, our statistics are quite comparable."
Despite his successes, Kofoid remains focused on growth.
"We've had two solid years to build upon as we enter this third one," Kofoid remarked. "In my opinion, the World of Outlaws represents one of the most challenging forms of racing anyone can experience, whether as a participant or a spectator. I really appreciate that challenge; it makes me a better driver.
"My hope is to kick off our Florida races without a hitch, do my part, avoid any mechanical failures, set the pace, and take it from there."
Would you agree that mastering such a demanding racing format takes extraordinary talent and perseverance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
