CONCORD, N.C. — Gratitude flows from Michael “Buddy” Kofoid anytime he talks concerning the present place the place his profession has led him.
Not way back, he wasn’t having a lot enjoyable behind the wheel. Ardour for the game he’d cherished since childhood dripped away as an absence of pleasure diluted his journey in dash automobile racing.
Then got here an opportunity to affix Roth Motorsports midway by means of 2023. Quick ahead a pair years, and the enjoyment is totally restored as Kofoid and the Roth staff have established themselves as one of many prime pairings within the sport.
The Penngrove, Calif., native delivered an unforgettable Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the 12 months marketing campaign in 2024 with the World of Outlaws NOS Vitality Drink Dash Automotive Sequence. No sophomore droop slowed Kofoid in 2025. He’s upped his sport much more with 11 victories, 30 podiums and a 5.38 common end.
The 23-year-old is second in factors heading into subsequent week’s season-concluding World of Outlaws World Finals (Nov. 5-8) at The Filth Observe at Charlotte.
“I’m simply actually completely satisfied within the place I’m in and the folks I get to work with daily,” Kofoid mentioned. “As a driver and as an individual, it makes it gratifying. There was a time limit the place I wasn’t actually having enjoyable, and I’ve at all times mentioned Dylan (Buswell) and everybody at Roth Motorsports helped resurrect that enjoyment for me once more. I’m simply completely satisfied to be in among the finest rides you may get in within the nation. I can’t thank Dennis and Teresa Roth and Toyota and Mobil 1 sufficient. Being thought-about a man that’s robust to cope with is fairly cool.”
The 2-year tear has already positioned Kofoid among the many finest to ever wheel a Roth automobile. Of his 21 profession World of Outlaws wins, 19 have come aboard the long-lasting No. 83. That equals him with Tim Kaeding for the second many of the 16 completely different opponents which have gained with The Biggest Present on Filth driving for Dennis and Teresa Roth. He trails solely Danny Lasoski’s whole of 41. The 11 checkered flags Kofoid has racked up this yr gave Roth Motorsports its first double-digit win season with the World of Outlaws since Lasoski bagged a dozen in 2000.
As a California child that’s watched the evolution of Roth Motorsports his whole life, cementing his identify among the many staff’s finest so quickly is a surreal expertise.
“I grew up watching the Roth automobile on the west coast and raced towards it for some time domestically earlier than I ever moved on to the Midwest,” Kofoid mentioned. “I do know everybody they’d there was clearly actually good. I really feel like that record is type of a who’s who. Not everybody has pushed for Roth, however there’s been fairly just a few those that have, and loads of them being Corridor of Fame drivers or exceptionally good at what they do.
“To see my identify on that record fairly excessive up at the very least for the Outlaw wins is, I don’t need to say stunning, however I simply by no means thought I’d make it up there that quick. I maintain wanting again to love I mentioned earlier than, simply having, I really feel like, the perfect folks round me that make it simpler to do my job, but additionally to get pleasure from it and have enjoyable.”
Whereas there’s loads of positives to get pleasure from, Kofoid and firm are additionally targeted on the place they are often higher. Enchancment is at all times attainable, they usually’ve obtained a transparent goal forward in David Gravel and Huge Sport Motorsports.
Gravel and his staff have set the usual as they seem poised to lock up a second straight championship subsequent week. Kofoid has two areas circled to make up floor: Qualifying every night time and velocity at two of an important tracks on the schedule.
“I simply must work on Knoxville and Eldora for one,” Kofoid mentioned. “I additionally really feel like David and Carson (Macedo) are excellent qualifiers. I simply can’t actually pinpoint if it’s me, the automobile, or a group of issues. I simply really feel like we have to enhance our qualifying simply by a pair spots. David begins both pole or second at worst in a warmth race each night time, and that’s large. I really feel like I haven’t at all times been in that place. We simply want to determine what we have to do to be in that place extra typically so far as qualifying higher.”
Kofoid’s profession remains to be blossoming. He nonetheless has loads of time to deal with the shortcomings and attain the mountaintop of the game. Proper now, he’s having fun with the experience and soaking all of it in. It’s a real dream come true that simply retains getting higher.
“It’s most likely one of many hardest issues that I’ve ever achieved is be part of the Outlaw tour, but additionally that’s why it’s so satisfying when you may run good due to how laborious it’s,” Kofoid mentioned. “I’ve watched all of my heroes race right here, and that is the place I’ve at all times needed to be. I by no means would’ve believed I’d be right here within the first place. To do it now and be working up entrance is unimaginable. I simply hope we will maintain doing what we’re doing, and I can determine the issues I would like to determine.”
