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CDR Racecars and Mikey Kile Motorsports Form CDR Factory Team; Announce 16-Year-Old Talan Willis Racing as Driver

Many, La, November 14 — In a major development within the dirt racing community, CDR Racecars, owned by Cade Dillard, has officially partnered with Mikey Kile Motorsports to form the new CDR Racecars Factory Team. After internal discussions and testing plans, the team agreed on 16-year-old rising talent Talan Willis to pilot the car for their inaugural season together.

The partnership centers around a shared goal: pushing CDR chassis performance to the front of the sport, accelerating R&D efforts, and building some of the fastest racecars on the track.

Co-owner Cade Dillard spoke highly of Willis and the importance of the new partnership, emphasizing both the driver’s character and the team’s long-term goals.

“Everyone at CDR admires Talan’s work ethic, talent, and most of all, his humbleness. I’m thankful for the partnership with Mikey that made this possible. Hopefully this will help elevate Talan’s future in this sport. We strive to keep CDR Racecars moving forward and on top. Thanks to all the great drivers and supporters we have in our program, we plan to do just that.”

On the ownership side, Mikey Kile brings strong racing experience to the program. Along with time in the ARCA Series, he previously competed in both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and he has additional experience racing dirt late models. Kile also currently owns an asphalt team competing in the CARS Tour.

Kile’s belief in the new team — and in Willis — is clear.

“I couldn’t be more excited to start this team with Talan and CDR. When Cade called me and said let’s start a CDR factory team, before he could finish his sentence I told him I’m in! I’ve watched Talan over the past year grow as a driver and he definitely has what it takes to win races, and I feel like there isn’t anyone better to represent MKM and CDR.”

Looking ahead, the 2026 season already has a roadmap. The team plans to kick off the year at the Wild West Shootout in January at Central Arizona Speedway, giving the newly formed operation an early test against top-level competition. Beyond that, the CDR Factory Team will compete in a flexible schedule that best aligns with their goals — including events with the American Racer Modified Series (ARMS), the Heartland Modified Tour, and select USMTS races. The program will remain independent of any single series, choosing races strategically to maximize development and results.

For Talan Willis, the announcement marks the biggest opportunity of his young career.

“I’m super blessed and thankful for the opportunity that Cade and Mr. Mikey have given me! They have both made my dreams come true along with many others along the way! I’m pumped to get the season started and see what we can do!”

As the Team prepares to roll into their debut season, excitement is building for what the trio can accomplish together. If you or your company would like to be a part of the CDR Factory Team, please reach out to any member of the group to discuss marketing and sponsorship opportunities to help make this possible.

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