Ty Majeski secured the pole position in NASCAR Truck Series qualifying for the season opener at Daytona International Speedway, clocking a fast lap that put the No. 88 Ford for ThorSport Racing at the front of the field. Majeski’s performance highlights an exciting start for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series as drivers and teams gear up for the race under the lights at Daytona.
Majeski Leads the Field with Dominant Qualifying Run
During Friday’s single-truck qualifying sessions at Daytona, 44 entrants competed for a coveted spot in the main event. Ty Majeski turned heads with an impressive lap time of 50.882 seconds, hitting a speed of 176.883 mph, which earned him his third pole at the 2.5-mile, high-banked track. The No. 88 Ford, now piloted by Majeski after ThorSport Racing made the switch from long-time driver and NCTS Champion Matt Crafton, set a powerful example for the team’s fresh start.
Starting just alongside Majeski will be NASCAR Cup Series veteran Micheal McDowell, who earned his first Daytona International Speedway front-row start in any NASCAR series. McDowell posted a lap of 50.938 seconds at 176.682 mph in the No. 7 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, adding to the high anticipation for the opening race.
Spotlight on High-Profile Entrants and Notable Starters
This year’s field features several big names making their appearance or debut in the NASCAR Truck Series. Three-time Cup Series champion and Hall of Fame driver Tony Stewart will take the green flag from the 15th spot, driving the No. 25 Kaulig Racing Dodge Ram. YouTube personality Garret Mitchell, widely known as Cleetus McFarland, will begin his first NCTS race from the 12th position in the No. 4 Chevrolet for Niece Motorsports. Additionally, X Games legend Travis Pastrana will line up 16th in the No. 42 Chevrolet, also representing Niece Motorsports.
The 37-truck field was finalized after qualifying, underscoring the event’s heightened competition with so many skilled entrants seeking to make the cut.
Current Cup Series Regulars Bring Star Power to Truck Event
The race will see several current NASCAR Cup Series regulars adding depth and excitement to the line-up. Carson Hocevar, who will start fourth in the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, aims to make an early impact. John Hunter Nemechek is set to start 18th in the No. 62 Toyota fielded by Halmar Friesen Racing, and Ricky Stenhouse takes the 31st position driving the No. 45 Chevrolet for Niece Motorsports.
Marking a notable comeback, Stewart Friesen returns to action behind the wheel of the No. 52 Toyota for Halmar Friesen Racing. After missing much of last season due to injuries in a DIRT Modified incident, Friesen’s return signals his resilience and determination, as he starts 24th on the grid.
Dodge Ram Teams and Provisional Eligibility
This year saw the competitive return of Dodge Ram trucks, with NASCAR allowing provisionals if any of the new entries missed the qualifying cut. Had more teams required this option, the starting grid could have expanded to 40 trucks. Ultimately, only one Kaulig Racing team needed to avail this provisional: reality show winner Mini Tyrell, who will start 37th in the No. 14 Dodge Ram after posting a lap of 173.712 mph in 51.810 seconds.
Looking Ahead to the Season Opener Under the Lights
Fans can watch the highly anticipated 100-lap NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona live via FS1-TV, MRN Radio, and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio at 7 p.m. ET. With Ty Majeski on pole, a field full of familiar names like Tony Stewart, Micheal McDowell, Travis Pastrana, Stewart Friesen, Garret Mitchell, and several Cup Series regulars, the stage is set for a dramatic start to the new NASCAR Truck Series qualifying season.
