Conner Popplewell Bio
Conner Popplewell (born December 12, 2003) is an American professional stock car racing driver from Jeffersonville, Indiana. He last competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 95 Toyota for MAN Motorsports. Popplewell has built his early career around short-track competition, with regular appearances at Salem Speedway in Indiana. He is regarded as a rising prospect in the national stock car ladder developed by NASCAR.
Standing out as a young driver in the ARCA Menards Series, Popplewell represents the next wave of short-track talent transitioning to national touring series competition. His career began in regional divisions before earning opportunities in ARCA. He continues to develop his craft while balancing part-time schedules with the demands of national-level racing.
Early Life and Background
Conner Popplewell was born on December 12, 2003, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, a city along the Ohio River directly across from Louisville, Kentucky. Growing up in the Indiana racing scene, he gained early exposure to short-track competition and developed his driving skills in grassroots events. Jeffersonville and the broader southern Indiana region have produced several notable racing talents, providing a fertile environment for young drivers like Popplewell.
His formative years in racing were shaped by participation in regional events, including the CRA Street Stock Series, a Midwest-based stock car series known for its competitive fields and development opportunities. Popplewell built his foundational driving experience on short ovals, learning the craft of tire management, drafting, and race-long strategy. His progression through local and regional series prepared him for the step up to national-level competition in the ARCA Menards Series.
Path to NASCAR
Popplewell’s path toward NASCAR’s national series began with consistent performances in regional stock car competition, including the CRA Street Stock Series and regular appearances at Salem Speedway. These short-track environments sharpened his race craft and gave him visibility among team owners in the ARCA Menards Series. The ARCA Menards Series, owned by NASCAR, has long served as a key stepping stone for drivers aiming to reach the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series.
In 2023, it was announced that Popplewell would make his ARCA Menards Series debut at Salem Speedway, driving the No. 95 Toyota for MAN Motorsports. His debut weekend demonstrated both preparation and promise, as he posted a top-five finish in his first national-series start. The opportunity with MAN Motorsports marked an important milestone in his development as a professional stock car driver.
Conner Popplewell Career
Early Career (2023)
Conner Popplewell’s early professional career centered on regional stock car competition, where he raced in the CRA Street Stock Series and gained valuable experience at Salem Speedway. These grassroots events provided the foundation for his move into national touring series competition. His consistent results at the short-track level attracted the attention of MAN Motorsports, a Toyota-aligned team in the ARCA Menards Series.
His work in regional competition allowed him to refine the skills necessary for higher-level racing, including race-long consistency and the ability to navigate heavy traffic. The transition from regional to national competition represented a significant step in his career trajectory. By the time of his ARCA debut, Popplewell had already established himself as a promising young talent in the Midwest racing community.
ARCA Menards Series Debut (2023)
Popplewell made his ARCA Menards Series debut in 2023 at Salem Speedway, a high-banked half-mile oval in Indiana, driving the No. 95 Toyota for MAN Motorsports. The event marked his first national-series start and provided an opportunity to showcase his short-track skills on a larger platform. His preparation for the race was evident in the practice session, where he posted the fourth-fastest time among the field.
Qualifying placed Popplewell ninth on the starting grid, and he drove a clean and consistent race to finish fifth, two laps down behind race winner Jesse Love. The top-five finish in his debut was a strong statement for a young driver making his first national-series appearance. The result demonstrated his ability to adapt quickly to the demands of ARCA competition and validated the development path that brought him to the series.
Return to ARCA (2025)
In 2025, it was announced that Popplewell would return to the ARCA Menards Series at Salem Speedway, once again driving the No. 95 Toyota for MAN Motorsports. The return signaled continued trust between the driver and the team following a successful debut performance. Salem Speedway, with its abrasive surface and high banking, remains a familiar and favorable venue for the Jeffersonville native.
Driving Style and Strengths
Popplewell’s driving strengths are rooted in his extensive short-track experience, particularly on high-banked ovals like Salem Speedway. His background in the CRA Street Stock Series has given him a strong foundation in close-quarters racing, tire conservation, and race-long pace. Working with MAN Motorsports and a Toyota program provides him with a competitive platform to continue developing his skills at the national level.
Notable Races and Milestones
Popplewell’s most notable performance to date is his fifth-place finish in his 2023 ARCA Menards Series debut at Salem Speedway. The result came two laps down behind winner Jesse Love but represented a strong showing for a first-time national-series entrant. His continued relationship with MAN Motorsports and his return to Salem in 2025 further underscore the milestones already achieved in his young career.
Conner Popplewell Career Wins
Conner Popplewell has yet to record a verified victory in the ARCA Menards Series or any major national stock car touring series. His most notable result remains the fifth-place finish earned in his 2023 debut at Salem Speedway. As a developing part-time driver, he continues to build a foundation of consistent finishes that could lead to future opportunities for race wins.
ARCA Menards Series Highlights
In the ARCA Menards Series, Popplewell has one verified start, which resulted in a top-five finish at Salem Speedway in 2023. That debut performance remains the cornerstone of his national-series resume. The 2025 return to Salem offers another opportunity to add to his highlight reel with MAN Motorsports.
Other Wins and Performances
Popplewell has competed in the CRA Street Stock Series and other regional stock car events at Salem Speedway, where he developed the skills that led to his ARCA opportunity. Specific race wins and championship results at the regional level have not been fully verified. His regional career laid the groundwork for his national-series debut with MAN Motorsports.
Conner Popplewell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly verified details about Conner Popplewell’s family background and any racing lineage are limited. His hometown of Jeffersonville, Indiana, sits within a region with a deep stock car racing tradition, and the local racing community has supported his development. Further information about his parents or relatives involved in racing has not been confirmed through available sources.
Personal Life
Conner Popplewell was born and raised in Jeffersonville, Indiana. Public details about his personal life, including marital status, are not widely documented at this stage of his career. He maintains an active presence on social media, including an Instagram account focused on his racing activities, where fans can follow his progress on and off the track.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season for Conner Popplewell centers on his announced return to the ARCA Menards Series at Salem Speedway, driving the No. 95 Toyota for MAN Motorsports. After a strong debut performance in 2023, the 2025 race represents a continuation of his relationship with the team and an opportunity to build on his prior results. As a part-time entrant, his season schedule is expected to focus on selected events rather than a full campaign.
The Salem Speedway race will serve as the centerpiece of Popplewell’s 2025 ARCA campaign, with the high-banked oval offering a familiar setting for the Jeffersonville native. His performance in the event will be closely watched as a measure of his growth since his 2023 debut. Continued partnership with MAN Motorsports and Toyota provides a stable platform for his development in the national series.
Looking ahead, Popplewell’s 2025 schedule reflects the part-time nature of his current racing program, with potential opportunities to expand into additional ARCA races or the NASCAR Xfinity Series in future seasons. For now, his focus remains on maximizing results with MAN Motorsports and continuing to develop the skills needed to advance through NASCAR’s national series ladder. His progress in 2025 will be an important indicator of his long-term potential in professional stock car racing.