A Weekend at the Speedways
At 21, Kevin Modeszto roams the campus of his New Jersey university with a notebook full of racing stats and a heart that beats to the rhythm of stock cars. A lifelong fan of the sport, he has turned his hobby into a fledgling career, writing for the student publication Above the Yellow Line and dreaming of a byline at the sport’s biggest events.
When the 2026 All‑Star weekend was announced, he applied for media credentials and was thrilled to receive accreditation for the Dover Motor Speedway track. The opportunity to step onto the pit lane, to watch the engines roar and the fans cheer, felt like a rite of passage for any aspiring motorsport journalist.
The weekend unfolded with a packed schedule of practices, qualifying sessions and a full slate of interviews. He met veteran reporters Jeff Gluck and Jordan Bianchi, whose insights into the sport’s inner workings proved invaluable. Conversations with drivers such as Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin and Joey Logano added a personal dimension to the stories he was gathering.
On Saturday night, Kyle Busch claimed victory in the Craftsman Truck Series race, a win that would later be remembered as his final triumph before his untimely death from sepsis. The following day, a late‑race incident involving Joey Logano brought caution lights to the track, and Denny Hamlin ultimately captured the Cup Series All‑Star Race, turning a chaotic finish into a moment of triumph.
Through it all, Modeszto reflected on the growth of his own voice. The experience cemented his belief that journalism and racing are not separate passions but complementary pursuits. He left Dover with a portfolio of interviews, a deeper understanding of the sport’s culture, and a clear vision of a future where he could cover NASCAR full‑time.