The much-anticipated 2026 NASCAR Truck Series qualifying order has been announced for the season-opening Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway, set for Friday, February 13. Drivers and teams head into the weekend with their eyes on both a coveted grid spot and momentum for a strong start to the new NASCAR Truck Series calendar.
Located in Daytona Beach, Florida, the Daytona International Speedway is a legendary venue that first opened its gates in 1959 and features a notable 2.5-mile tri-oval course. Each year, the track sets the stage for some of the most exhilarating moments in motorsports, especially as the excitement builds for the season’s opening events.
Details on the 2026 Fresh From Florida 250 Weekend
This year’s Fresh From Florida 250 will see 44 drivers competing for only 36 available positions in the main event. The contest is structured over 100 laps and will begin at 7:30 pm ET. As per tradition in the NASCAR Truck Series, practice sessions are held on Thursday, February 12, followed by the main qualifying session on Friday. This qualifying session is crucial—31 starting spots are determined by on-track speed, while the remaining five are allocated based on team owner points from previous performances.
The previous edition of the Fresh From Florida 250, formerly called the NextEra Energy 250, saw Corey Heim and the Tricon Garage team claim victory with a time of two hours, nine minutes, and seven seconds. Notably, Heim will not be taking part in this year’s event, ensuring that the 2026 race will see a new winner added to the history books.
Full Qualifying Order Announced for Daytona Opener
According to Bob Pockrass, a motorsports journalist with FOX Sports, the official order has been set for the all-important qualifying round. Hilli Motorsports’ owner and driver Timmy Hill will be the first to take to the track, setting the initial pace for all other contenders. The final qualifying run will be completed by Niece Motorsports’ driver, Andres Perez de Lara, who will attempt to secure a strong starting position towards the close of the session.
With the qualifying process determining much of the strategic framework for the race, teams from organizations such as Niece Motorsports and Hilli Motorsports will be closely monitoring every second posted on the track.
What Lies Ahead for Drivers and Fans
Fans can catch all the live action of the Fresh From Florida 250 on FS1 and MRN as competitors gear up for one of the most exciting races of the season. As the field is set at Daytona International Speedway, drivers and teams hope to kick off the 2026 NASCAR Truck Series with a memorable performance on this historic Florida track.
Looking ahead, the new qualifying order and star-studded driver lineup—including prominent entries such as Timmy Hill and Andres Perez de Lara—will spark intrigue throughout the opening weekend and set the tone for the rest of the series. With intense competition expected through both qualifying and the main event, this season opener will likely influence team strategies and storylines for the weeks to come in NASCAR’s ever-evolving truck racing landscape.
I put owner points in red in this truck qualifying order. There are 31 spots on speed and then five on owner points (including possible past champion provisional) and four possible RAM provisionals: pic.twitter.com/LxLbvBprk1
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 13, 2026
