The 2026 NASCAR Truck Series will begin with the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway, marking the start of a new season on Friday, February 13. Fans and teams are preparing for the much-anticipated opener as the official entry list for the Daytona race has now been unveiled, setting the stage for the first major event of the year featuring the 2026 NASCAR Truck Series.
Major Kickoff for the Truck Series at Daytona International Speedway
The Fresh from Florida 250 is scheduled to start at 7:30 pm Eastern Time and will be aired nationally on FS1, with radio broadcasts available on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. Competitors will face a 100-lap challenge spanning 250 miles around the well-known four-turn, 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway, a mainstay venue for the Truck Series season premiere. This event will be the 27th consecutive year the Daytona track hosts this opening race, underlining its prominence for drivers and fans alike.
Lineup Features Veteran Stars and Notable Newcomers
Thirty-eight drivers have registered for the 36 available positions at Daytona, with the field including some well-known personalities. Among the entrants are Tony Stewart, an experienced racer; Cleetus McFarland, known for his presence in motorsports media; Kaden Honeycutt and Travis Pastrana, both recognized for their racing backgrounds; Stewart Friesen, Andrés Pérez de Lara, Toni Breidinger, and Chandler Smith, each bringing their distinct racing accolades. NASCAR fans will also see Justin Haley, Daniel Hemric, and Frankie Muniz join the field, adding further excitement.
Last year, Corey Heim, representing the #11 Tricon Garage, secured victory in the opening event at Daytona, recording a race time of two hours, nine minutes, and seven seconds. However, Heim will not defend his title this season, as he transitions to a part-time schedule in the Cup Series with 23XI Racing, making the competition even more unpredictable for 2026.
Complete Entry List for the Fresh from Florida 250
As the driver lineup is set, here are the 38 competitors who will attempt to qualify and compete at Daytona International Speedway:
Tony Stewart, Cleetus McFarland, Kaden Honeycutt, Travis Pastrana, Stewart Friesen, Andrés Pérez de Lara, Toni Breidinger, Chandler Smith, Justin Haley, Daniel Hemric, Frankie Muniz, and an extensive list of additional challengers fill out the field, each aiming to secure one of the 36 starting spots in this landmark event.
What Fans Should Expect This Race Weekend
The Fresh from Florida 250 will headline an action-filled race weekend from February 12 to 13, 2026, at Daytona International Speedway, with the feature Truck Series race commencing at 7:30 pm ET. With seasoned professionals and fresh contenders vying for supremacy, this opening round could set the competitive tone for the entire 2026 NASCAR Truck Series season. Many fans eagerly await who will seize victory in a tradition-rich race that often shapes the trajectory of the championship lineup.
Missed the season finale of @racefortheseat?
There's no better time to catch up than before we hit the track at @DAYTONA this week: https://t.co/5BOZoyKlCw pic.twitter.com/eGyd01MYaD
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) February 9, 2026
