Tricon Garage will start the 2026 Craftsman Truck Series season at Daytona with a major adjustment to its roster, implementing a key change to its crew leadership for the event. For this anticipated race at Daytona International Speedway, the team will be without their veteran, championship-winning crew chief Scott Zipadelli, marking a notable shift for the Tricon Garage Daytona lineup change.
Scott Zipadelli Sidelined Ahead of Season Start
The organization announced that Scott Zipadelli, who has guided the No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro to multiple victories, will not accompany the team to Daytona due to an injury. This absence removes a familiar strategic presence from the pit box as the season opens. According to Tricon Garage:
“Due to injury, Scott Zipadelli, crew chief of the No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, will be unable to travel to Daytona for the season opening event,”
– Tricon Garage statement.
David Stewart Steps Into Interim Crew Chief Role
In Zipadelli’s absence, the team will rely on the expertise of engineer David Stewart, who has worked closely with both the No. 11 team and its drivers. Stewart brings with him experience from previous championship runs within the organization and has contributed to notable Truck Series wins alongside driver Corey Heim. Tricon Garage confirmed:
“David Stewart, engineer, will serve as interim crew chief in his absence.”
– Tricon Garage statement.
This leadership shift means Stewart will now call the shots during a pivotal season opener, aiming to maintain the squad’s competitive edge as they start their campaign to defend last year’s championship title.
No. 11 Gets a New Driver as Honeycutt Joins Full-Time
The changes at Tricon Garage extend beyond the crew chief position. The team previously announced that Kaden Honeycutt will become the new full-time driver of the No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro. Honeycutt joins following a 2025 season during which he competed with Niece Motorsports, Young’s Motorsports, and Halmar Friesen Racing, gaining valuable experience across multiple organizations. His arrival signals both a fresh start and a strategic move for the championship-defending group.
Preparation and Unique Challenges at Daytona
The debut race at Daytona International Speedway is set against the backdrop of unique superspeedway conditions, offering teams an unusual number of opportunities for pre-race adjustments. Unlike other events on the NASCAR schedule, the Daytona opener includes a practice session on Thursday, February 12, at 5 p.m. ET, broadcast live on FS1. The session offers critical track time ahead of qualifying on Friday, February 13, at 3 p.m. ET, also televised on FS1, culminating with the season’s first race later that night at 7:30 p.m. ET.
As defending champions, the Tricon Garage team faces both the challenge of integrating new leadership and a new driver, along with the pressure to replicate past success. Their efforts during the extended week at Daytona will be closely watched by fans and competitors alike.
Looking Forward: Impact of Leadership and Roster Changes
The absence of Scott Zipadelli at the season’s first event marks a significant behind-the-scenes change for Tricon Garage, but with David Stewart’s experience and Kaden Honeycutt’s fresh perspective, the team is equipped to navigate these early challenges. Success or setbacks at Daytona will likely influence team dynamics for the season ahead, especially as they seek to establish momentum and consistency with this restructured lineup. The motorsports community will be paying close attention to how these changes impact the No. 11’s pursuit of another championship in the high-stakes world of the Craftsman Truck Series.
— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) February 11, 2026
