Greg Van Alst is taking his racing ambitions to new heights at Daytona International Speedway this week, as he prepares for both the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series races. This expanded schedule reflects his strategic focus on maximizing seat time, refining skills, and building momentum in hopes of turning hard work into breakthrough results during the high-stakes events at the World Center of Racing.
Balancing Dual Commitments for On-Track Success
Less than a month ago, Van Alst was focused solely on getting his NASCAR Truck Series team ready for the challenging Fresh From Florida 250. However, in the weeks leading up to the event, he added a run in the ARCA Menards Series to bolster his Daytona campaign. This decision was driven by the belief that logging more laps and gathering more experience on the superspeedway would provide a tangible advantage in his pursuit of success.
For Van Alst, the approach is not about merely filling his schedule. Instead, it’s about ensuring the skills and lessons learned in one series translate into improved outcomes in the other. While responsibility and expectation remain high for his performance with the No. 35 Toyota Tundra in the NASCAR Truck Series, Van Alst approaches the challenge with steady confidence and optimism, recalling the same focused poise that carried him to an emotional ARCA Menards Series victory at Daytona in 2023.
Van Alst’s Perspective: Sharpening Skills through Experience
Van Alst sees additional track time as an opportunity for growth rather than just a busier calendar.
“I don’t look at it as being busier,”
said Greg Van Alst.
“I look at it as getting better. The more time I can spend in the seat, especially at a place like Daytona, the more I can fine-tune the little things that make a difference. Every lap matters, and if it helps us on the Truck side, it’s worth it.”
– Greg Van Alst, Driver
Arriving in Daytona equipped with the No. 35 Toyota Tundra that last raced at Talladega Superspeedway, Van Alst has poured considerable effort into elevating the team’s performance. The offseason was spent applying insights from last season, meticulously refining the truck to face one of the toughest fields assembled in recent years at Daytona.
Chasing Opportunity and Facing Intense Competition
To claim his spot on the starting grid for the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series event, Van Alst will need to qualify in the top thirty-one—a challenge he welcomes with perspective earned through years of competition.
“I’m proud of the gains we made on our Truck Series program at the end of the 2025 season,”
explained Van Alst.
“We learned a lot in a very short amount of time, and we have applied what we learned during the offseason in hopes of it paying off starting at Daytona.”
He added his team isn’t just hoping to participate:
“We’re going to be around this year, it may not be every week, but when we’re at the track, we want to showcase that our small team can continue to get better and inch our way through the field and hopefully turn some heads.”
“Daytona is the perfect place to keep our momentum rolling from Phoenix Raceway last October.”
– Greg Van Alst, Driver
Preparing for Back-to-Back Races: Truck Series and ARCA Menards Series
After the dust settles Friday night in the NASCAR race, Van Alst is set for a quick mental reset before returning to action in Saturday’s General Tire 200. He will pilot the No. 19 Chevrolet for Maples Motorsports during the ARCA Menards Series showdown, underscoring his commitment to staying sharp and competitive across both major events.
“No matter what happens Friday, I’m grateful to have another opportunity on Saturday,”
Van Alst said.
“Being able to climb back in an ARCA car at Daytona is special. It keeps me sharp, and honestly, it reminds me why we do this in the first place.”
– Greg Van Alst, Driver
Teamwork and Partners: Fueling the Dream at Daytona
Achieving the goal of racing at Daytona is a team effort, made possible by an array of vital partners supporting the No. 35 Greg Van Alst Motorsports crew. Key names such as Top Choice Fence, East Coast Diesel and Marine, Island Way Pools, Verns Concrete, Finest Travel Agency, Indy Muscle and Joint, Lifeline Fire and Safety Systems, Mike’s Mobile Mechanic Services, NotLoc Racing Productions, SandBar Seafood and BBQ Joint, and S.R.D. Industries Inc. have played crucial roles in enabling this weekend’s double-duty bid.
“You don’t get to Daytona by yourself,”
added Van Alst.
“This opportunity to compete in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series is a direct result of the incredible partners who believe in what we’re building.”
“Their support gives us the ability to chase big dreams on one of the biggest stages in motorsports, and we’re proud to represent each and every one of them this weekend.”
– Greg Van Alst, Driver
Looking Ahead: Daytona and Beyond
The Fresh From Florida 250, which marks the first of 25 races on the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series schedule, takes place Friday, Feb. 13, with qualifying beginning at 3:00 p.m. and the green flag waving after 7:30 p.m. Coverage will be available live on FOX Sports 1, the NASCAR Racing Network, and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. Regardless of outcomes, Van Alst’s Daytona experience, backed by determined preparation and vital support, sets the tone for the season’s possibilities and solidifies his commitment to making every lap count on the sport’s largest stage.
