When racing veterans talk about where they’re going to find the next star NASCAR driver, usually they’re talking about dirt open-wheel racing, pavement Late Models, or Legends and Go-Karts. But recently the conversation has started to include the virtual world, and Donovan Strauss is hoping to be another driver that continues to push the narrative towards the sim racing world.

The eNASCAR Coca-Cola iRacing Series veteran will be taking the next big leap in his racing career in 2025 as he moves up to the zMAX CARS Tour to contend for the Rookie of the Year in the Late Model Stock Car division.

Strauss will be piloting the No. 51 for AK Performance, the same team that he took to victory lane at Florence Motor Speedway in 2024 in just his first season in Late Models.

The Georgia native said he feels now is the time to make the jump to the CARS Tour, the premier destination for Late Model Stock Car racing because of what he was able to do so quickly in weekly competition last season.

“Last year was a building year, just seeing what we could do,” Strauss told FloRacing. “Moving up to the CARS Tour is just an opportunity and move that feels right. I believe there’s a great opportunity in front of us.”

Strauss has made one CARS Tour start to-date. He started and finished 16th, on the lead lap, at Florence last August. He kept his car clean, and finished higher than other drivers who visited victory lane at other races last year.

Even though the CARS Tour field will look different this year compared to last year, Strauss knows it will still be the toughest competition he’s faced yet on a weekly basis. As a result, Strauss said he’s setting realistic goals for the season.

“My goal is to just bring results, just about finding a way to push through whatever adversity comes our way each week,” Strauss said. “Everything in life is a challenge, but I know this is the most stout competition in short track racing across this entire country. These guys are as tough as they come, and this series isn’t easy to compete in. I’m looking forward to putting in the work on and off the race track.”

While it’s easy to point to Florence as the track Strauss should be the most excited to compete at, Strauss said he’s looking at two other race tracks earlier in the season that he thinks can get him and his team a lot of positive momentum.

“I’m really looking forward to getting to Cordele,” said Strauss of the CARS Tour’s inaugural race at Cordele Motor Speedway in Georgia on April 12. “I have won many races there in my Legend car days, and I know how to get around there really well. “Orange County I know we have a good notebook for as well, so I believe this early portion of the season is a good stint of races to take advantage of a great opportunity.”

Should Strauss and his Kendall Sellers-led team come out of the early part of the season in a good place, Strauss said he believes he and his team can think even loftier than just trying to win Rookie of the Year honors.

“Rookie of the Year would be a cool deal by all means, and I know that’s definitely possible, but I have my eyes set on something bigger this year,” said Strauss. “I know I have the best team behind me with my AK Performance guys and having Kendall Sellers behind me, if we stay the course we can achieve great things that are right in front of us.”

The CARS Tour season kicks off on Saturday, March 1 at Jacksonville, North Carolina’s New River All-American Speedway. The entire CARS Tour schedule will once again be broadcast live on FloRacing for the third year in a row. Fans can subscribe to FloRacing by clicking here.