Rutter looking to climb the racing ladder

By Ken de la Bastide

With a background of racing in karting, Brayden Rutter is looking to hone his skills in a limited season with the Kenyon Midget Series. Rutter, 17, has been racing karts for five years and will be driving a limited 2026 season with Brad Hayes Racing.

“I wanted to get out of karting so I could get more connections and to continue advancing,” he said during the media day in Carmel. “I talked to people that were involved and working with them when I got this opportunity in Kenyon Midgets.”

Rutter is planning to run four races in 2026. “The first Anderson race, the Speedrome and the two Lincoln Park races,” he said. “I'm looking forward to it.”

Rutter said he has never raced on a dirt track in the past, but was also planning on doing some micro-sprint racing mostly on dirt this year. “I'll get a lot of experience on dirt this year,” he said. “Looking forward to building my knowledge in racing and improve by skills to drive cars instead of karts.”

Rutter said the goal would be to race more Kenyon Midget events in 2027.

“My dad raced TQ Midgets when he was my age,” he said. “This is something I've always wanted to do since I was young.”

Rutter said he did his first test session at Anderson for Brad Hayes Racing this past October.

“Anderson is a pretty crazy place,” he said. “I'm looking forward to it. I've been there once to watch a Figure-8 race.”

Rutter said testing the Kenyon Midget was a big difference from his experience in karting.

“I had a good time,” he said. “I had the line down, but there are still some things I need to work on in the corners. “The Kenyon Midget is a lot different from what I'm used to.”