Daytona NASCAR Truck Series: Starting Lineup & How to Watch the 2026 Race

DAYTONA BEACH, FL – Ty Majeski will start from the pole for the Friday night Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway, kicking off the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. Majeski secured the top starting spot with a lap time of 50.881 seconds, narrowly edging out Michael McDowell.

The race, scheduled to begin around 6:30 p.m. CT, features a diverse field including seasoned NASCAR veterans, rising stars, and even a few unexpected faces. Among those joining the grid is Tony Stewart, making his return to NASCAR competition and starting 15th. Adding to the intrigue is YouTube personality Cleetus McFarland, who will make his Truck Series debut from the 12th position.

The starting lineup is a mix of familiar names and newcomers, with several drivers looking to make a statement early in the season. Tanner Gray will start third, followed by Carson Hocevar and Grant Enfinger. Tyler Ankrum, Kaden Honeycutt, and Jake Garcia round out the top ten.

Several drivers failed to qualify for the race, including Norm Benning, Toni Breidinger, Bryan Dauzat, Greg Van Alst, Timmy Hill, Tyler Tomassi, and Justin S. Carroll. Their absence underscores the competitive nature of the series and the difficulty of securing a starting spot at Daytona.

Beyond the established Truck Series competitors, the race will also feature four drivers with experience in the NASCAR Cup Series: Carson Hocevar, John Hunter Nemechek, Michael McDowell, and former Daytona 500 champions Ricky Stenhouse Jr. Their presence adds another layer of competition and anticipation to the event.

The Fresh From Florida 250 is set to be a 100-lap, 250-mile race divided into three stages: 20 laps, 20 laps, and a final stage of 60 laps. The race promises the typical Daytona drama, with the potential for close racing and late-race excitement.

Fans can catch all the action live on FS1, with streaming options available through Fubo, which offers a free trial. Audio coverage will be available on the NASCAR Racing Network Radio and SiriusXM (Channel 90).

The race also marks a significant moment for several drivers beyond Stewart and McFarland. Travis Pastrana, making his return after a hiatus, will start 13th. Frankie Muniz, known for his role in “Malcolm in the Middle,” continues his foray into NASCAR, starting 33rd. The presence of these crossover athletes adds a unique dimension to the event, attracting a broader audience to the Truck Series.

The field also includes Butterbean Queen, starting 23rd, and Mini Tyrrell, who secured a provisional starting spot. The diverse range of competitors highlights the growing appeal and accessibility of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.

With a mix of seasoned professionals, rising stars, and unexpected entrants, the Fresh From Florida 250 is poised to be an exciting start to the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season. The race at Daytona International Speedway will not only set the tone for the championship battle but also provide a compelling spectacle for racing fans.

The starting lineup is as follows:

1. Ty Majeski, No. 88 Thorsport Racing Ford
2. Michael McDowell, No. 7 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
3. Tanner Gray, No. 15 TRICON Garage Toyota
4. Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet
5. Grant Enfinger, No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet
6. Tyler Ankrum, No. 18 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
7. Kaden Honeycutt, No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota
8. Jake Garcia, No. 98 Thorsport Racing Ford
9. Giovanni Ruggiero, No. 17 TRICON Garage Toyota
10. Chandler Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
11. Christian Eckes, No. 91 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
12. Cleetus McFarland, No. 4 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
13. Travis Pastrana, No. 42 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
14. Taylor Gray, No. 1 TRICON Garage Toyota
15. Tony Stewart, No. 25 Kaulig Racing Dodge
16. Justin Haley, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Dodge
17. Clay Greenfield, No. 95 GK Racing Chevrolet
18. Corey Lajoie, No. 75 Henderson Motorsports Chevrolet
19. John Hunter Nemechek, No. 62 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota
20. Dawson Sutton, No. 26 Rackley W.A.R. Chevrolet
21. Jason Kitzmiller, No. 97 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet
22. Butterbean Queen, No. 12 Kaulig Racing Dodge
23. Cole Butcher, No. 13 Thorsport Racing Ford
24. Stewart Friesen, No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota
25. Nick Leitz, No. 5 TRICON Garage Toyota
26. Kris Wright, No. 81 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
27. Ben Rhodes, No. 99 Thorsport Racing Ford
28. Andres Perez de Lara, No. 44 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
29. Josh Reaume, No. 22 Team Reaume Ford
30. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 45 Niece Motorsports Chevrolet
31. Daniel Dye, No. 10 Kaulig Racing Dodge
32. Daniel Hemric, No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
33. Frankie Muniz, No. 33 Team Reaume Ford
34. Spencer Boyd, No. 76 Freedom Racing Enterprises Chevrolet
35. Layne Riggs, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
36. Jason M. White, No. 2 Team Reaume Ford
37. Mini Tyrrell, No. 14 Kaulig Racing Dodge (OEM provisional)