Conner Popplewell Bio
Conner Popplewell (born December 12, 2003) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed part-time in the ARCA Menards Series, driving the No. 95 Toyota for MAN Motorsports. A young driver from the Midwest, Popplewell has built his early career around short-track competition in Indiana and a growing presence in national stock car racing series.
Early Life and Background
Conner Popplewell was born on December 12, 2003, in Jeffersonville, Indiana, in the United States. Growing up in a region with a deep short-track racing tradition, he was surrounded by opportunities to develop his interest in motorsports from a young age. Jeffersonville sits near several historic Indiana racing venues, which helped shape his early connection to the sport.
His formative years were spent learning the basics of stock car racing on local tracks, where he gained the experience that would eventually prepare him for higher-level competition. Indiana’s active short-track scene, featuring weekly programs at paved ovals across the state, gave Popplewell a steady environment in which to sharpen his skills as a teenager.
Path to NASCAR
Before reaching the ARCA Menards Series, Popplewell competed in the CRA Street Stock Series, a regional stock car series that operates across the Midwest. The CRA series is known for producing competitive short-track talent, and his time there helped him transition from local racing to more visible stock car events. He also competed in various racing events at Salem Speedway, a high-banked oval in Indiana that has long been a proving ground for rising drivers.
These early experiences positioned Popplewell for his national series debut. His background in street stock competition, combined with familiarity at Salem Speedway, set the stage for his move into the ARCA Menards Series, a recognized stepping stone toward NASCAR national series racing.
Conner Popplewell Career
Early Career (2023)
Popplewell’s professional stock car career began in 2023 when it was announced that he would make his ARCA Menards Series debut at Salem Speedway. He drove the No. 95 Toyota for MAN Motorsports, marking his first entry in a national touring series. The debut represented a significant step up from his prior regional work in the CRA Street Stock Series.
On race weekend, Popplewell posted the fourth-fastest time in the lone practice session, demonstrating competitive pace early in the event. He then qualified ninth and went on to finish fifth in the race, ending the day two laps down behind race winner Jesse Love. The result gave him a solid foundation in his first ARCA appearance.
ARCA Menards Series Breakthrough (2023)
Popplewell’s 2023 debut at Salem Speedway served as his official introduction to the ARCA Menards Series. Driving for MAN Motorsports in the No. 95 Toyota, he showed steady progress throughout the event weekend, beginning with a strong practice run and following up with a top-ten qualifying effort. The fifth-place finish in the race provided immediate evidence of his potential at the national level.
The ARCA Menards Series is widely viewed as an important development series for drivers aiming to advance into NASCAR national competition, and Popplewell’s debut placed him on that traditional ladder. His performance at Salem gave him valuable experience against established ARCA competitors and race winners, including Jesse Love, who took the checkered flag that day.
MAN Motorsports Era (2023-Present)
Throughout his time in the ARCA Menards Series, Popplewell has been associated with MAN Motorsports, driving the No. 95 Toyota. The team has provided him with a consistent platform for his national series entries. His partnership with the team has centered on Salem Speedway, a track where he has built his primary racing resume.
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 continued relationship with the team and the return to a familiar venue signaled ongoing development in his stock car career.
Driving Style and Strengths
Popplewell’s early results suggest a driver comfortable on high-banked short tracks, with consistent pace across practice, qualifying, and race conditions. His ability to qualify in the top ten in his ARCA debut and convert that into a top-five finish indicates race-day composure and steady execution. His continued work with MAN Motorsports at Salem points to a growing comfort level with the team’s setup approach.
Notable Races and Milestones
Popplewell’s most notable result to date is his fifth-place finish in his ARCA Menards Series debut at Salem Speedway in 2023, where he finished two laps down behind winner Jesse Love. His return to the same venue in 2025 with MAN Motorsports marks another key moment in his developing national series career.
Conner Popplewell Career Wins
Conner Popplewell is an emerging stock car racing driver whose career is still in its early stages. As of the most recent available information, no race wins have been recorded at the ARCA Menards Series level. His documented results include a fifth-place finish in his ARCA debut at Salem Speedway in 2023, representing his strongest verified national series performance to date.
ARCA Menards Series Highlights
Popplewell’s ARCA Menards Series career is highlighted by his 2023 debut at Salem Speedway, where he qualified ninth and finished fifth for MAN Motorsports. The appearance marked his first start in a national stock car touring series. He is scheduled to return to the same track in 2025, again driving the No. 95 Toyota for MAN Motorsports.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside of the ARCA Menards Series, Popplewell competed in the CRA Street Stock Series, a regional Midwest stock car series, and participated in various events at Salem Speedway. His regional experience formed the foundation for his transition to national-level competition.
Conner Popplewell Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Conner Popplewell was born and raised in Jeffersonville, Indiana, where he developed his early interest in stock car racing. Public information about his immediate family background and any broader racing lineage within his family is not available in verified sources.
Personal Life
Popplewell is an American stock car racing driver based in Indiana. He maintains a public presence through his Instagram account under the handle connerpopplewellracing, where he shares updates related to his racing career. Additional verified details about his personal life are not publicly available.
2025 Season Performance
Popplewell’s 2025 season is centered on a planned return to the ARCA Menards Series at Salem Speedway, where he will once again drive the No. 95 Toyota for MAN Motorsports. The return marks his second documented ARCA appearance and continues his relationship with the same team and manufacturer that supported his 2023 debut.
Coming off a fifth-place finish in his previous ARCA start at the same track, Popplewell enters the 2025 event with familiarity of the high-banked oval and the team’s operational approach. Salem Speedway has served as the primary venue for his national series career, and the upcoming race offers an opportunity to build on his earlier result.
As a part-time competitor in the ARCA Menards Series, Popplewell’s 2025 outlook is focused on gaining additional national series experience and continuing his development as a stock car racing driver. His ongoing work with MAN Motorsports and Toyota provides a stable platform for further growth in the sport.