THE CANIPE FAMILY
Kid: HUDSON, 11 Years old
Parent: MICHAEL & NATALiE
CANDLER, NC
Michael’s need for speed began in the 80’s racing at Asheville Motor Speedway. From there, he worked for NASCAR teams that competed in what is now the Xfinity series of NASCAR. Throughout his life Michael has either worked on or raced race cars but now his only focus is his son’s racing career. Hudson isn’t bashful to say he wants to be a professional NASCAR racer and the father/son team are doing everything that they can to make that a reality.
Hudson first competed in motocross at only four years only. Dad switched him to the Bandolero car when he was six and practiced on the banderol competing in INEX series at high years old. At eight years old he won over twenty races and then won the national championship at ten years old.
Over the past year the Canipes have traveled over 30,000 miles on the road, spent over 40 nights in motels and approximately $150,000 on cars, equipment and expenses. There were weeks on end where they raced Monday through Thursday and dad would travel back home every night 150 miles each way, so he could keep his business going. Dad would wake up the next morning and drive back the 150. Miles to be with his son. He is extremely committed to seeing this through for his son.
Hudson has garnered plenty of fame and awards for his “Fabulous Hudson Hornet” Bandolero racing but it’s time to grow up and level up his racing game. Hudson is graduating to a full size, late model. It’s a big change and a time of transition in both the families’ life and race career. It means really joining the big leagues, going up against pro’s, and truly joining the ranks of the professional world. Hudson can no longer act like a kid in a youth oriented sport.
The Canipe’s have races booked from January to October of next year, spanning North Carolina, Florida and Tennessee. Some of the summer races including a summer shoot in Charlotte, NC which is 10 races in an oval and Thursday Thunder at the Atlanta Motor Speedway which is eight races also in an oval. It’s going to be a year of change, transition and resilience that will test both father and son in ways that haven’t yet encountered in their racing careers.