Ben Peterson Bio
Benjamin Peterson (born June 26, 1997) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He has competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 0 Ford for Wayne Peterson Racing. Peterson comes from a deep racing family and has built his early career with his grandfather’s team, gaining experience on short tracks and superspeedways alike.
Early Life and Background
Benjamin Peterson was born on June 26, 1997, in Birmingham, Alabama, United States. Growing up in the Southeast, he was surrounded by the world of stock car racing through his family. His grandfather, Wayne Peterson, is a longtime ARCA driver and team owner, which gave Benjamin direct exposure to race shops, haulers, and short track competition from a young age.
This family connection to racing shaped his early interests and provided a clear path into the sport. Rather than entering racing through a formal national program, Peterson’s development came through hands-on experience at the family team. His Birmingham roots also connected him to a region where short track racing and stock car culture are central to the local sporting identity.
Path to NASCAR
Peterson’s progression toward national-level stock car racing has come through the ARCA Menards Series, a traditional stepping-stone for drivers aiming to climb the NASCAR ladder. By aligning with Wayne Peterson Racing, he has followed a route many short track veterans have used to enter the national scene. The ARCA Series regularly races on short tracks, road courses, and superspeedways, which has allowed Peterson to gain experience in multiple racing environments.
Although he has not yet moved into the NASCAR Xfinity Series or the NASCAR Cup Series, his continued starts in ARCA reflect a steady, family-supported path toward higher-level competition. His appearances at major superspeedways such as Talladega Superspeedway have given him exposure to racing on the biggest stages of stock car racing.
Ben Peterson Career
Early Career (2019)
Peterson made his ARCA Menards Series debut in 2019 at Salem Speedway, driving the No. 0 Ford for Wayne Peterson Racing. The event was brief, as he completed only three laps before brake issues forced him out of the race, leaving him with a 21st-place finish. Later that season, he entered the next event at Lucas Oil Raceway, where he did not set a qualifying time and did not start the race, being classified in 22nd position.
These first ARCA starts were valuable learning experiences for Peterson, even though the results were modest. Working under the Wayne Peterson Racing banner gave him access to veteran knowledge from his grandfather’s team and allowed him to begin understanding the demands of touring-series competition.
ARCA Menards Series Breakthrough (2024–2025)
Peterson returned to ARCA action in 2024, beginning with the pre-season test at Daytona International Speedway. He drove the No. 06 Toyota for Wayne Peterson Racing and was the fastest of seven drivers who piloted the same car during the two-day test, finishing 70th in the overall results. The test was a strong sign of his pace, even within a test-only classification.
In April 2024, it was revealed that Peterson would drive the No. 0 Toyota at Talladega Superspeedway. Using a short track car on the high-speed superspeedway, he started 34th and advanced to 30th before mechanical issues after seven laps dropped him back to a 34th-place finish. In 2025, Peterson returned to Talladega with the No. 0 Ford and sponsorship from Auburn Athletics, completing ten laps before overheating issues ended his day and left him with a 36th-place result.
Driving Style and Strengths
Peterson has shown a willingness to take on a wide range of track types, from the tight confines of Salem Speedway to the high speeds of Talladega Superspeedway and Daytona International Speedway. His role within Wayne Peterson Racing has allowed him to work closely with a family-based team known for its long history in ARCA competition. While his starts have been limited, his pace during the 2024 Daytona test highlighted his potential when given a clean run.
Notable Races and Milestones
Peterson’s most notable performances include his 2019 debut at Salem Speedway and his 2024 Daytona International Speedway test, where he was the fastest among the drivers running the same No. 06 Toyota. His Talladega Superspeedway appearances in 2024 and 2025 have also been important milestones, giving him experience at one of stock car racing’s most iconic venues, even though mechanical issues limited his finishes.
Ben Peterson Career Wins
Peterson has not yet recorded a victory in the ARCA Menards Series. His career so far has focused on gaining experience and building pace with Wayne Peterson Racing, with his top result coming in qualifying pace during the 2024 Daytona test. As he continues to run more races, his goal is to translate that practice speed into on-track results.
ARCA Menards Series Highlights
Peterson’s ARCA highlights include his 2019 debut at Salem Speedway, the 2024 Daytona pre-season test, and his Talladega Superspeedway appearances in 2024 and 2025. While he has yet to record a top-ten finish or a podium, his continued presence at superspeedways shows his commitment to improving at the highest levels of stock car racing.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of ARCA, no additional verified wins or championship titles are available for Peterson at this stage of his career. His racing résumé remains centered on his part-time ARCA program with Wayne Peterson Racing.
Ben Peterson Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Peterson is the grandson of longtime ARCA driver and team owner Wayne Peterson. Wayne Peterson’s decades-long involvement in ARCA, both as a driver and as an owner, has provided Benjamin with a strong racing foundation and a direct connection to the series. Working within his grandfather’s team has allowed him to learn the craft of stock car racing in a familiar and supportive environment.
Personal Life
Benjamin Peterson resides in the United States and maintains ties to his Birmingham, Alabama roots. Public information about his personal life beyond racing is limited, and no additional verified details about his spouse or family life are available.
2025 Season Performance
Peterson’s 2025 ARCA Menards Series campaign has so far included an appearance at Talladega Superspeedway, where he drove the No. 0 Ford with sponsorship from Auburn Athletics. The run ended early due to overheating, leaving him with a 36th-place result after ten laps. The start continued his partnership with Wayne Peterson Racing and his push to build superspeedway experience.
As a part-time competitor, Peterson’s 2025 schedule is limited, and his results reflect the challenges of running a small family team against well-funded rivals. Mechanical reliability has been an obstacle in both his 2024 and 2025 Talladega starts, an area the team will need to address going forward. His pace during prior testing sessions suggests potential for stronger results once full-race runs are completed.
Looking ahead, Peterson’s outlook depends on expanding his schedule and finishing more laps, which would give him the chance to translate raw speed into competitive finishes. Continued support from Wayne Peterson Racing and partners such as Auburn Athletics will be important in turning part-time opportunities into a fuller ARCA campaign.