RAFA Racing Team has added rising talent Kyle Steckly to its lineup, with the Canadian set for a three-race program in the ARCA Menards Series as both driver and team continue their climb in stock car racing.
Steckly, 21, is set to compete aboard an APC Auto Parts Center-backed Toyota Camry at Watkins Glen International on May 8, Michigan International Speedway on June 5, and Chicagoland Speedway on July 3.
The trio of races offers a diverse challenge, combining two high-speed intermediate ovals with one of North America’s premier road courses.
For Steckly, the opportunity represents more than just three starts – it is a chance to continue building momentum in the United States while aligning with a team that brings a unique background to the ARCA paddock.
“I’m super excited for it,” Steckly said. “I got in touch with Kevin and the RAFA Racing Team through Toyota, and it just seems like they’ve got a really strong program. Everything they do from the road racing side of things to coming into the ARCA Menards Series is really special, and it’s cool to be a part of.
“The support I’ve had from the Canadian racing community has been huge; it’s something I don’t take for granted.
“And APC Auto Parts Centres have been there with me every step of the way – they’re like family to me, and they’re a big reason I’m able to keep pushing forward.”
The connection between Steckly and RAFA Racing Team came through Toyota Racing Development, which has played an increasingly important role in identifying and supporting emerging talent across North America. For Steckly, who joined the Toyota program at the start of 2026, the relationship has already begun to pay dividends.
The collaboration also highlights RAFA Racing Team’s ongoing evolution. Known for its strong presence in road racing categories, the team now steps further into the stock car world with a driver whose background bridges both disciplines.
That balance becomes especially relevant with a schedule that includes Watkins Glen, a circuit that could play to both Steckly’s experience and the team’s technical strengths.
“We’re racing at Watkins Glen, Michigan, and Chicagoland,” Steckly explained.
“So two intermediate tracks and a road course. It’ll be cool to have a road course in a stock car with a team that comes from a road racing background. I’ve done some road racing back home in Canada, so that’s something I’m looking forward to.”
While the road course may offer a degree of familiarity, the intermediate ovals will provide a different type of challenge.
“The intermediate tracks will be a learning curve for all of us,” he said. “But I think we’ve got a good group of people around to make it successful.”
A foundation built in Canada
Steckly’s path to this opportunity has been shaped by a lifetime immersed in racing. Growing up in Canada, he was introduced to the sport at an early age through his father’s involvement in the NASCAR Canada Series.
His father, Scott Steckly, is a renowned four-time NASCAR Canada Series champion.
“I grew up at the track,” Steckly said. “My dad raced while I was growing up, so I’ve always been around it. It’s in my blood.”
Like many drivers, his career began in small, grassroots machinery. Steckly started in micro sprints powered by modest six-horsepower engines on tight quarter-mile tracks, where momentum and precision were critical.
From there, he progressed into stock cars and spent five years competing in late model competition across Canada. Success at that level opened the door to opportunities south of the border, where he began racing in super late models and the ASA Stars National Tour.
The transition to U.S. racing marked a pivotal moment in his career, both in terms of competition level and exposure.
“Growing up in Canada, it’s a different level of importance compared to NASCAR in the U.S.,” Steckly said. “But I always watched NASCAR every Sunday with my dad, and that’s what I loved. I always hoped I’d be able to make that jump and keep chasing that dream.”
That dream continues to guide his approach.
“I’ve always been big on taking it one race at a time and just having fun while I’m doing it,” he added. “We kept winning and building, and that led to racing in the U.S. It’s about making the most of every opportunity.”
Adapting across disciplines
One of Steckly’s defining strengths is his willingness to adapt. While his foundation was built on ovals, he has steadily expanded his experience to include road racing – a skillset that is becoming increasingly valuable in modern stock car competition.
“It’s definitely quite a bit different,” Steckly said of the contrast between disciplines. “I grew up racing ovals, and that’s all I knew. Then I got to road racing, and I had to learn how to turn right, shift gears, and understand a completely different style.”
He has already competed at several notable Canadian road courses, including Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, the streets of Toronto and Circuit Trois-Rivières, building a foundation that should prove useful at Watkins Glen.
“You have to understand what you need to do to be fast on an oval and what you need to do to be fast on a road course,” he explained. “It’s been fun learning that, and every time I go out, I’m trying to get better.”
Preparation for new tracks has also become more sophisticated. Steckly utilizes simulation tools extensively, including iRacing and Toyota’s driver development resources, to familiarize himself with circuits before arriving on site.
“I’ve spent time on the Toyota simulator with engineers, working on techniques and learning the track,” he said. “And I’m on iRacing all the time, turning laps in an ARCA car at Watkins Glen.”
While simulation provides valuable insight, Steckly recognizes its limitations.
“It’s helpful for learning layouts and shift points,” he said. “But you don’t feel the G-forces, you don’t feel the car the same way. There’s always a difference when you get to the real track.”
The Toyota effect
Steckly’s development has accelerated significantly since joining Toyota Racing Development in 2026. The program’s comprehensive support system has enhanced not only his on-track performance but also his preparation and professionalism.
“It’s been huge,” Steckly said. “The resources they have – driver coaches, trainers, nutritionists – it’s taken everything to another level. It really opened my eyes.”
The relationship was formed following a change in his late model program, ultimately leading to a partnership that now supports his progression into ARCA competition.
With Toyota’s backing and RAFA Racing Team’s infrastructure, Steckly enters the three-race program with a strong foundation.
Looking ahead
The three ARCA Menards Series starts represent a critical step in Steckly’s long-term ambition to reach the top tiers of NASCAR, including the NASCAR Cup Series.
While the immediate focus remains on learning and performance, the broader objective is clear: continue climbing the ladder through consistent results and steady development.
While RAFA Racing Team is renowned for its road racing expertise, team boss Kevin Conway brings experience from the highest levels of IMSA, SRO, and the NASCAR Cup Series, where he earned Rookie of the Year honors in 2010.
“I’m hoping to be racing on Sundays in NASCAR one day,” Steckly said. “That’s always been the goal.”
For RAFA Racing Team, the program underscores its commitment to driver development and its willingness to expand into new areas of competition. Pairing a young, motivated driver with a team eager to grow creates a dynamic that could deliver strong results across the three events.
