As the NASCAR Canada Series heads into the season opener at Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (CTMP) for the Clarington 200 on May 17 and 18, all eyes are on rising star Kyle Steckly. With a third-place finish at CTMP last fall and a pole position at Delaware Speedway in 2023, Steckly has proven he’s a serious contender.
For Steckly, racing is more than a profession, it’s part of who he is. The son of racing driver Scott Steckly, Kyle grew up at the track, watching his father compete in the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series. “I followed in his footsteps,” Kyle shares. “I started in go-karts and moved up one step at a time. When I ran my first stock car race at Flamboro Speedway at 13 years old, I knew this is what I want to do.”
Now 22 years old, Kyle’s calm and respectful approach to racing reflects his personality. “Not much gets me worked up. I race clean and try to earn respect. If someone races me rough, I can return the favor, but I prefer to keep things calm.”
What sets Kyle apart is his commitment to understanding the car itself. “Working on the car gives me a better feel for what it needs. I know what adjustments do what, and that helps me communicate clearly with my team. A lot of drivers can describe what they feel, but they don’t always know how to fix it.”
Beyond the Helmet
Off the track, Kyle is just as grounded. He’s a big Toronto Maple Leafs fan and still plays hockey recreationally. If he weren’t behind the wheel, he says he’d probably still be working on race cars.
His dream track? Bristol Motor Speedway. “It’s high-banked, concrete, two-grooved, and the place just looks awesome.”
Despite a packed schedule that includes racing across multiple series in both Canada and the U.S., Kyle finds balance thanks to MBS Motorsports and 22 Racing at home, and Rette Jones Racing south of the border. “It’s a busy lifestyle, but most of my friends and family are into racing too. We spend our time at the racetrack and make the most of it.”
Carrying the Family Legacy
Carrying the iconic #22 and the Steckly family name could be a heavy weight but Kyle doesn’t see it that way. “I feel responsibility, sure, but I use it as motivation. I’m fortunate enough to have someone like my dad right by my side through it all, and everything he’s built around us.”
Last year’s race at CTMP was especially meaningful for him: “We ran my dad’s 2015 throwback scheme, and to finish third on a historic track like that, racing against guys he used to race, it meant a lot.” He’ll be running the same scheme this weekend, bringing added sentimental weight to the season opener.
Eyes on the Future
His sights are now set on a NASCAR Canada Series win, especially at CTMP. “It would be really special. My dad never won on a road course, even though he came close at CTMP several times. It’d be really nice to be able to win a race there.”
Kyle’s long-term ambitions reach even further. “Like every kid, I want to race in NASCAR in the United States. I’m still chasing the dream and seeing where it will take me. I’ve got a really good support system with Rette Jones Racing and APC Auto Parts Centres.”
Through it all, the best advice he’s received continues to guide him: “Earn respect, and people will respect you. That applies on the track and in life.”