Kaden Honeycutt has secured a full-time seat in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for 2026, as TRICON Garage announced his signing to drive the No. 11 Safelite Toyota. This move places Honeycutt at the forefront of the organization’s plans following Corey Heim‘s recently announced departure from the team.
TRICON Garage Names Honeycutt as New Driver for No. 11 Safelite Toyota
TRICON Garage shared on Friday that Honeycutt will step into the No. 11 Safelite Toyota for the upcoming season, filling the void left by Corey Heim. While Heim’s next steps are still to be confirmed, the team has moved quickly to integrate Honeycutt into its future lineup.
Alongside his driving contract, Honeycutt has signed an agreement with Toyota, officially joining their 2026 Toyota Driver Development program. This partnership marks a significant milestone for Honeycutt as he enters a pivotal stage in his career.
Building on Breakthrough Performances in 2025
Honeycutt’s rise to this opportunity comes after an impressive 2025 season, highlighted by a spot in the Championship 4 at Phoenix Raceway. Over the course of the year, he collected four top-five finishes and 14 top-ten results, with his best finish—a runner-up result—coming at Martinsville with Halmar-Friesen Racing. He wrapped up the season third in the overall standings.
Displaying versatility and adaptability, Honeycutt competed for three different teams in 2025: Niece Motorsports, Young’s Motorsports, and Halmar-Friesen Racing. His strong showings with each organization underscored his driving skill and determination to succeed at the highest level.
A Track Record of Success in Multiple Series
At just 22 years old, Honeycutt is already a multi-time CARS Tour winner. His achievements include winning the CARS Tour Pro Late Model Championship and scoring victories at the prestigious Snowball Derby in 2024. Additionally, Honeycutt has tasted success in the ARCA Menards Series platform, racking up two West wins in 2023. Born in Aledo, Texas, Honeycutt has demonstrated remarkable talent and commitment across a range of racing circuits.
“I’ve waited my entire career for an opportunity like this. I can’t thank Toyota and TRICON enough for trusting me to carry the torch for the No. 11 Safelite Tundra and continue its incredible run of success,”
Honeycutt said.
“I’m truly honored and fired up to chase a championship with this team in 2026.”
Strong Team Leadership and Winning Experience
Looking ahead, Honeycutt will be guided by veteran crew chief Scott Zipadelli, who brings a wealth of winning experience. Zipadelli recently celebrated his second NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship in 2025 with Corey Heim. Since joining TRICON in 2023, Zipadelli and Heim earned an impressive 21 wins, clocked 45 top-five finishes, and made three Championship 4 appearances together. With 36 Truck Series victories, Zipadelli now stands second all-time among crew chiefs in series wins.
This blend of emerging talent and established expertise positions TRICON’s No. 11 entry as a formidable contender for the upcoming season.
Leadership Endorses Honeycutt’s Potential
TRICON leaders are confident in Honeycutt’s ability to meet the challenge.
“This is an exciting transition for TRICON. We’ve watched Kaden perform and overcome uncertainty, and we admire the grit it’s taken to reach this point. We have no doubt he’s worthy of this opportunity and look forward to him continuing to put TRICON and our No. 11 team in a position to win races and contend for championships,”
said Kevin Ray, partner and general manager at TRICON.
What Lies Ahead for TRICON Garage and Honeycutt
Further announcements regarding TRICON Garage’s full 2026 driver and crew chief lineup are expected soon. Honeycutt’s signing marks a key moment for both TRICON and Toyota, and it highlights the ongoing strength of the organization’s presence in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Racing fans can anticipate an exciting new chapter with Kaden Honeycutt NASCAR Truck Series entry in the driver’s seat, supported by an experienced team, as the 2026 season approaches.
