Not to be confused with Will Rogers.
Will Rodgers
Birth nameWilliam Palmer Rodgers
Birth dateOctober 8, 1994 (age 31)
Birth placeMaui, Hawaii, U.S.
Total busch races11
Years in busch5
Busch car teamNo. 42 (Young's Motorsports)
Prev busch pos57th
Prev busch year2025
Best busch pos43rd (2019)
First busch race2019 U.S. Cellular 250 (Iowa)
Last busch race2026 Mission 200 at The Glen (Watkins Glen)
Busch wins0
Busch top tens0
Busch poles0
Total truck races6
Years in truck4
Prev truck pos97th
Prev truck year2025
Best truck pos62nd (2023)
First truck race2021 United Rentals 176 at The Glen (Watkins Glen)
Last truck race2025 Ecosave 250 (Charlotte Roval)
Truck wins0
Truck top tens0
Truck poles0
Total arca races7
Years in arca2
Best arca pos22nd (2018)
First arca race2018 Lucas Oil 200 (Daytona)
Last arca race2020 General Tire 100 (Daytona RC)
Arca wins0
Arca top tens5
Arca poles0
Total arca east races5
Years in arca east2
Best arca east pos22nd (2017)
First arca east race2017 Finger Lakes Wine Country 100 (Watkins Glen)
Last arca east race2018 Monaco Gateway Classic (Gateway)
First arca east win2017 Finger Lakes Wine Country 100 (Watkins Glen)
Last arca east win2018 JustDrive.com 125 (Millville)
Arca east wins3
Arca east top tens4
Arca east poles0
Total arca west races31
Years in arca west6
Best arca west pos5th (2017)
First arca west race2016 Chevy's Fresh Mex 200 (Sonoma)
Last arca west race2025 General Tire 200 (Sonoma)
First arca west win2018 Carneros 200 (Sonoma)
Arca west wins1
Arca west top tens22
Arca west poles2

William Palmer Rodgers (born October 8, 1994) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes part-time in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, driving the No. 42 Chevrolet SS for Young's Motorsports. He has also been a part-time driver in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, NASCAR K&N Pro Series East (now the ARCA Menards Series East), ARCA Menards Series West and the Pirelli World Challenge.

Racing career

2016: West Series debut

After racing in the Pirelli World Challenge, Rodgers began racing in the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West in 2016, driving for team owner Dave Hanson. He made his debut at Sonoma Raceway, finishing in seventeenth.[1] He ended the season with four top-ten finishes.[2]

2017: Breakthrough with Kevin Harvick

Rodgers returned to the series in 2017, running full-time in the K&N Pro Series West for Jefferson Pitts Racing. He opened the season with four consecutive top-five finishes.[3] At Sonoma, Rodgers qualified on pole position, earning his first career pole in the series.[4] While he led early, Rodgers was eventually passed by 2014 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick, finishing second.[5] Rodgers said after the race, "For some funny reason, I had a feeling as far back as four weeks ago that it was going to be me and Kevin coming into turn 11 on the last lap. And sure enough, there we were. He ran a really good race, I learned a lot from him. We were able to lead some laps there in the beginning. It doesn't feel too bad to finish second today."[5] Harvick, meanwhile, was impressed with Rodgers' performance, stating, "That was really what this was all about, to shine a little light on a kid like Will and race against him and give him the recognition he deserves. I want to keep supporting the series and bring that bright light on some of these kids who need the opportunity."[6] The race became a turning point for Rodgers' career; in May 2018, Autoweek writer Matt Weaver argued that Rodgers had "gained more from his graceful defeat than if he had won the race without the participation of a Cup Series veteran."[7] Rodgers spoke of the race as having done "wonders for my career. We got a lot of attention....I can't say enough about how helpful Kevin was. He put me on his radio show and told the world that he respected me. That was huge."[7] Rodgers ran the rest of the season for Pitts' team, adding another second-place finish at Evergreen Speedway.[8]

Rodgers also ran the two road course races in the 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East season. Rodgers earned his first career K&N Series win at Watkins Glen International, holding off Rubén García Jr. after García hit the wall attempting to overtake him.[9] After the race, Harvick, despite not participating in the event, visited Rodgers in Victory Lane to congratulate him on the win.[10][11] Rodgers also won the second road course race of the season at New Jersey Motorsports Park.[12]

2018: Road course dominance, ARCA debut

In 2018, Rodgers returned to Jefferson Pitts Racing for the K&N West season opener at Kern County Raceway Park. After finishing a disappointing 16th,[13] Rodgers moved to Bob Farmer's team for the doubleheader at Tucson Speedway. He finished ninth and seventh in the first and second race respectively.[14]

On June 16, Rodgers returned to the East Series to run again at New Jersey Motorsports Park. He won the race after qualifying second and leading 49 of the 55 laps,[15] earning his third road course victory in four such races at the K&N level and establishing himself as one of the series' road course ringers.[16] Two days before the race, Harvick reaffirmed his support for Rodgers and argued, "When the road course stuff shows up, Will is probably capable of being in an Xfinity race or a Cup race. In the right equipment on a road course, he'd be a top-10 competitor."[11] The next week, Rodgers returned to Sonoma for the K&N West race; while Harvick did not enter the 2018 race, a total of five Cup Series drivers (Aric Almirola, William Byron, Daniel Suárez, Erik Jones, and Alex Bowman) did participate.[17] Rodgers beat all of them, qualifying on the pole and winning his fourth consecutive road course race at the K&N level.[18] Rodgers later joined Levin Racing for the race at Gateway Motorsports Park.[19]

Before the 2018 ARCA Racing Series season-opener at Daytona International Speedway, Rodgers was also announced as a driver for Ken Schrader Racing for select races, including Daytona.[20] The race was Rodgers' first on an oval track longer than one mile in length.[21] At Daytona, Rodgers was involved in an accident in turn 4 on lap 21, which led to him finishing 25 laps down in 30th place.[22] Rodgers then rebounded to finish eighth in his next race at Charlotte Motor Speedway.[23] Later in the season, he set a new career-best finish with a sixth-place run at Michigan International Speedway.[24]

2019: K&N return at Sonoma and Xfinity debut

Rodgers began the 2019 season on the sidelines (working on the business aspect of his career by recruiting sponsors) but returned to Levin Racing for the K&N Pro Series West race at Sonoma.[25] He spent the week leading up to the event serving as a driver coach to fellow K&N Pro Series driver Hailie Deegan.[26]

In July, Rodgers joined Brandonbilt Motorsports for his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut in the U.S. Cellular 250 at Iowa Speedway.[27]

2021: Return to Xfinity Series

Rodgers returned to the Xfinity Series in June 2021 with Sam Hunt Racing on a three-race schedule at Nashville Superspeedway, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway road course, and the Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval.[28]

Personal life

Rodgers was born in Maui, Hawaii and currently resides in Huntersville, North Carolina.[29]

At the age of three, Rodgers was diagnosed with primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), a liver disease that resulted in numerous biopsies and colonoscopies during his youth. He runs the Will Rodgers Liver Health Foundation.[28]

Motorsports career results

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

O'Reilly Auto Parts Series

NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series results
YearTeamNo.Make123456789101112131415161718192021222324252627282930313233NOAPSCPtsRef
2019Brandonbilt Motorsports68ChevyDAYATLLVSPHOCALTEXBRIRCHTALDOVCLTPOCMCHIOWCHIDAYKENNHAIOW
28		GLN43rd58[30]
86MOH
12		BRIROADARINDLVSRCHROV
28		DOVKANTEXPHOHOM
22
2021Sam Hunt Racing26ToyotaDAYDRCHOMLVSPHOATLMARTALDARDOVCOACLTMOHTEXNSH
14		POCROAATLNHAGLNROV
29		TEXKANMARPHO91st01[31]
24IRC
28		MCHDAYDARRCHBRILVSTAL
2022Reaume Brothers Racing33ToyotaDAYCAL
DNQ		LVSPHOATL71st2[32]
RSS Racing38ToyotaCOA
37		RCHMARTALDOVDARTEXCLTPIRNSH
MBM Motorsports13ToyotaROA
38		ATLNHAPOCIRCMCHGLNDAYDARKANBRITEXTALROVLVSHOMMARPHO
202366DAYCALLVSPHOATLCOARCHMARTALDOVDARCLTPIRSONNSHCSCATLNHAPOCROAMCHIRC
DNQ		GLNDAYDARKANBRITEXROVLVSHOMMARPHO115th01[33]
2025Cope Family Racing70ChevyDAYATLCOAPHOLVSHOMMARDARBRICARTALTEXCLTNSHMXCPOCATLCSCSON
16		DOVINDIOWGLNDAYPIRGTWBRIKANROVLVSTALMARPHO57th23[34]
2026Young's Motorsports42ChevyDAYATLCOAPHOLVSDARMARCARBRIKANTALTEXGLN
20		DOVCLTNSHPOCCORSONCHIATLINDIOWDAYDARGTWBRILVSCLTPHOTALMARHOM-*-*[35]

Craftsman Truck Series

NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
YearTeamNo.Make12345678910111213141516171819202122232425NCTCPtsRef
2021Cram Racing Enterprises41ChevyDAYDRCLVSATLBRDRCHKANDARCOACLTTEXNSHPOCKNXGLN
39		GTWDARBRILVSTALMAR74th15[36]
Reaume Brothers Racing34ToyotaPHO
22
202233DAYLVSATLCOA
21		MARBRDDARKANTEXCLTGTWSONKNXNSHMOHPOCIRPRCHKANBRITALHOMPHO99th01[37]
2023Young's Motorsports02ChevyDAYLVSATLCOATEXBRDMARKANDARNWSCLTGTWNSHMOH
34		POCRCH
26		IRPMLWKANBRITALHOMPHO62nd19[38]
2025Young's Motorsports20ChevyDAYATLLVSHOMMARBRICARTEXKANNWSCLTNSHMCHPOCLRPIRPGLNRCHDARBRINHAROV
15		TALMARPHO97th01[39]

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

ARCA Menards Series

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314151617181920AMSCPtsRef
2018Ken Schrader Racing52FordDAY
30		NSHSLMTALTOLPOC
18		MCH
6		MADGTWCHI
9		IOWELKPOC
8		ISFBLNDSFSLMIRPKAN22nd985[40]
11CLT
8
2020Steve McGowan Motorsports17WChevyDAYPHOTALPOCIRPKENIOWKANTOLTOLMCHDRC
5		GTWI44TOLBRIWINMEMISFKAN53rd39[41]

K&N Pro Series East

NASCAR K&N Pro Series East results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314NKNPSECPtsRef
2017Jefferson Pitts Racing7FordNSMGREBRISBOSBOMEMBLNTMPNHAIOWGLN
1		LGYNJM
1*		DOV22nd95[42]
2018NSMBRILGYSBOSBOMEMNJM
1*		TMPNHAIOWGLN
2*		23rd110[43]
Levin Racing10ChevyGTW
26		NHADOV

ARCA Menards Series West

ARCA Menards Series West results
YearTeamNo.Make1234567891011121314AMSWCPtsRef
2016DeLong Racing84ChevyIRWKCRTUSOSSCNS
Wth		16th201[2]
Dave Hanson06ChevySON
17		SLS
8		IOW
10
ToyotaEVG
14		DCS
FordMMP
7		MMP
7		MERAAS
2017Jefferson Pitts Racing7FordTUS
5		KCR
3		IRW
5		IRW
5		SPO
19		OSS
20		CNS
9		SON
2*		EVG
2		DCS
4		MER
3		AAS
5		KCR
8		5th520[3]
27IOW
8
20187KCR
16		SON
1*		12th230[44]
REF Motorsports4FordTUS
9		TUS
7		OSS
11		CNSDCS
Wth		IOWEVG
13
Levin Racing10ChevyGTW
26		LVSMERAASKCR
201940FordLVSIRWTUSTUSCNSSON
6		DCSIOWEVGGTWMERAASKCRPHO42nd38[45]
2020Jefferson Racing42ChevyLVSMMP
5		MMP
8		IRWEVGDCSCNSLVSAASKCRPHO30th75[46]
2025Naake-Klauer Motorsports88FordKERPHOTUCCNSKERSON
25		TRIPIRAASMADLVSPHO76th19[47]

Pirelli World Challenge results

YearTeamMakeModelClass123456789101112RankPoints
2016Hale MotorsportsMazdaMazda2TCBCOA1
DSQ		COA2
1		MOS1
3		MOS2
1		LRP1
1		LRP2
2		ELK1ELK2UTA1UTA2LAG1
1		LAG2
1		7th752

References

  1. ^ "2016 Chevy's Fresh Mex 200". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  2. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2016 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  3. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  4. ^ Segal, Davey (June 24, 2017). "Qualifying: Rodgers Scores First K&N Pole". NASCAR Home Tracks. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  5. ^ NASCAR Wire Service (June 24, 2017). "Kevin Harvick holds off Will Rodgers for NASCAR K&N West Sonoma victory". Autoweek. Crain Communications. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  6. ^ Utter, Jim (June 24, 2017). "Harvick returns to his roots with win in K&N West race at Sonoma". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  7. ^ "Call It 'Six Degrees of NASCAR Next Separation' for Kevin Harvick and a Trio of Prospects". Autoweek. Crain Communications. May 30, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  8. ^ "2017 NAPA Auto Parts 150". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  9. ^ Legare, Andrew (August 4, 2017). "WGI Notebook: Rodgers holds on for K&N victory". Star-Gazette. Gannett Company. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  10. ^ NASCAR Wire Service (August 4, 2017). "Will Rodgers earns maiden NASCAR K&N Pro Series East victory". Autoweek. Crain Communications. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  11. ^ McFadin, Daniel (June 14, 2018). "NASCAR Next's Will Rodgers, Hailie Deegan get boost from Kevin Harvick". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  12. ^ Mulranen, Patrick (September 17, 2017). "Local fans impressed with NASCAR's return to Millville". The Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  13. ^ "2018 Bakersfield 175 Presented by NAPA Auto Parts". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  14. ^ "A Few Things We Learned In Tucson". NASCAR Home Tracks. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. May 8, 2018. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  15. ^ "2018 JUSTDRIVE.com 125". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  16. ^ Jacobs, Jaxson (June 19, 2018). "What We Learned In New Jersey". NASCAR Home Tracks. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  17. ^ McFadin, Daniel (June 19, 2018). "Five Cup drivers set for K&N West race at Sonoma". NBC Sports. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  18. ^ Southers, Tim (June 23, 2018). "Will Rodgers bests Cup stars for first K&N West win at Sonoma". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
  19. ^ Segal, Davey (August 20, 2018). "Will Rodgers, Levin Racing Partner For Gateway". NASCAR Home Tracks. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  20. ^ "Will Rodgers to race for Ken Schrader's ARCA team with Drydene Oil". Catchfence.com. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  21. ^ "Will Rodgers prepped for ARCA Racing Series debut at Daytona International Speedway". Catchfence.com. February 7, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  22. ^ "2018 Lucas Oil 200 Driven by General Tire". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  23. ^ "Drydene announces more ARCA races with KSR; starts at MIS". ARCARacing.com. June 6, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2018.
  24. ^ Wagner, Casey (June 11, 2018). "Strong Showing for Rodgers in Michigan Debut". ARCARacing.com. Retrieved March 1, 2019.
  25. ^ Segal, Davey (June 17, 2019). "Will Rodgers Looking To Defend Sonoma Victory, Partners With Levin Racing". NASCAR Home Tracks. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  26. ^ Segal, Davey (June 18, 2019). "Will Rodgers Playing Role Of Coach To Hailie Deegan At Sonoma". NASCAR Home Tracks. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  27. ^ Segal, Davey (July 23, 2019). "Will Rodgers to Make Xfinity Series Debut at Iowa". Frontstretch. Retrieved July 23, 2019.
  28. ^ Carey, Michael (June 8, 2021). "Will Rodgers Is Back To Raise Liver Health Awareness With Sam Hunt Racing". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved June 8, 2021.
  29. ^ Stern, Elliott (May 25, 2018). "Solvang's Will Rodgers named to "NASCAR Next" class of 2018". Santa Ynez Valley News. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
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  31. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  32. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 26, 2022.
  33. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  34. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2025 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 12, 2025.
  35. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2026 NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  36. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 30, 2021.
  37. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 21, 2023.
  38. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  39. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2025 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved October 3, 2025.
  40. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2018 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
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  42. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2017 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  43. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  44. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2018 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 22, 2018.
  45. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2019 NASCAR K&N Pro Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 21, 2019.
  46. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2020 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  47. ^ "Will Rodgers – 2025 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 11, 2025.