In the world of motorsports, the path of young driver Camden "Killa Cam" Truett began with his early introduction to go-karts at the age of five. From navigating from go-karts to Bandoleros to challenging himself into the higher Bandits division, Truett has enjoyed all the different parts that come with the racing journey. With a nickname inspired by his dynamic personality and a YouTube channel documenting his adventures. Truett's story in racing is only beginning with big goals ahead.
Hometown: Conway, South Carolina
Division: Bandits
Car Number: T2
Favorite Food: Hibachi
1. What got you started in racing?
I was five years old when I got my go-kart. I actually bought it from Landen Lewis but I didn’t race it much. I didn’t use it until I was about seven but by then I was starting Bandos early. Steve Zacharias let me race his Bandolero a little bit at Florence Motor Speedway, not even race really but just run at the back and try to log laps. Then we got a new Bando from our buddy Neal Dulin and then we just went on from there and now we’ve moved up early into Bandits as well. After my first year, my dad asked me one day when we came to the [Summer] Shootout and he said, “You wanna move to Bandits?” I was thinking it would be so much fun and it probably wouldn't be too much of a difference. It turned out to be much more competitive than beginners were, but it was good.
2. How has the journey in racing been so far?
We really only ran three go-kart races but we did win two of them so it was really fun driving go-karts. I feel like I’ve enjoyed both (go-karts and Bandoleros) very much but the big shock is when you get in your first Bandolero. I realized I was dragging the brake, that’s actually a big thing for me even now. It’s hard for me to just hop in the car and go. It’s just a big difference between go-karts and Bandoleros because in the Bando it’s much more horsepower and everything but with dirt go-karts, you just go for it.
3. What has been your favorite race so far?
Last year I won my first ever Bandit race in Florence. A week before I watched Talladega Nights with my dad and I said, “Can I do that speech?”, he was like “Yeah go for it,” so when we came to Florence I memorized it and I did it.
4. Winning at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the first time this year, how was that feeling?
It was actually a really good feeling. I was super excited. I was racing against some of the best drivers in the country so it was really fun. It was a good experience to get on a road course. I’ve only tested a road course go-kart a couple of times so it was really fun to race a road course, it was very different.
5. What is your pre-race routine?
I always tie my shoes…well my dad always ties my shoes because every time I tie them they get united in the middle of a race and I get scared that they’re gonna get stuck on the pedal and get knotted up.
6. What is the hardest part of racing?
I struggle with going out for first practice and just going right off the rip and go. I’ve always struggled with that, just getting in the groove so that’s what I’m working on right now.
7. What is the best part of racing?
Coming home with a big trophy. That’s the best part.
8. How did you decide to call your cars T2?
So my uncle Taylor Truett and my dad are big family guy and he passed away a couple of years ago. Everyone called him T-Squared so we put T2 as the number
9. Where did the name Killa Cam come from?
This guy from my dad's company kept calling me Killa Cam and I had told my dad about it, we were racing at the time and I know that a lot of small NASCAR drivers may not have the best talent but the reason they continue is because they have a good personality about them and fans love it so that’s why I like it.
10. What made you decide to make a YouTube channel? How has that been beneficial for you?
It’s a lot of fun. You get to meet new people as you go. It’s just a grind you gotta do and it’s something fun that I like to do. I wanted to start it because I was like well maybe if I get some sponsors and advertise to companies more, people will see me and think, “This kid’s really good, maybe I should go help him make his way to NASCAR one day.”
11. What has your favorite interview been?
I have two favorites. I did one with Kevin Harvick and I did one with Dale Earnhardt Jr. I asked Dale Earnhardt Jr., “If you had to choose to give someone the bumper and why," and he said he would give Carson Kvapil the bumper because he hasn’t won any races recently. It was really exciting, I just love meeting new people, and everyone thinks they have to be shy around all the NASCAR drivers and I’m like, “You know, they’re just normal people like us,” they might have a little more fame than everyone but they’re still normal people.
12. How does it feel to be able to race with your cousin Corbin Cannon?
So last year in the Beginner Bando Division at the Winter Heat, my teammate Ellie Gosset was telling me how to run Outlaws and I was like, “Maybe I should tell Corbin how to run the Beginners.” I always like the support from my cousin and he's my teammate. He’s one of the best cousins I could ask for. He’s really entertaining and funny and has a good personality, kind of like me.
13. What is your favorite track to race on?
It’s probably between Southern National [Motorsports Park] and Florence. For Southern National, it’s a really great track, it’s different than all the other tracks. There’s not many tracks like it, it’s just really fun, it is like a superspeedway. Florence is my home track, I’ve raced there all my life and probably had my best races there. I finished second there when I was battling against Owen Zacharias and Bryson Brinkley.
14. What are your racing goals for this season?
I just want to be consistent in every lap and our goal this whole season as a race team is to just come back home with 10 wins this whole season and win the South Carolina State Championship.