Kaulig Racing achieved a major milestone at Daytona International Speedway, securing their first-ever top-10 finish in the NASCAR Truck Series as the season kicked off in Florida. The team, featuring Brenden “Butterbean” Queen and other talented drivers, delivered a passionate and energetic performance, showcasing competitive spirit and teamwork.
Strong Debut Brings Team Acclaim
Brenden “Butterbean” Queen led the Kaulig Racing crew to a historic result in the Truck Series at Daytona, aided by his crew chief Eddie Pardue and spotter Derek Kneeland. The number 16 Celsius Ram 1500 ran near the front for much of the evening, overcoming dramatic late-race restarts and close calls on the track. The team’s efforts were evident as drivers worked together, navigated challenges, and displayed strategy and patience, especially during restarts and high-pressure moments on the renowned Daytona oval.
“What a fun way to kick off the season. I’m super proud to get Kaulig Racing and Ram their first top-10 finish in the truck series. I feel like tonight was a strong outing for this program as a whole. I can’t take all the credit for this — my crew chief Eddie Pardue did a great job, and my spotter Derek Kneeland took the joystick and drove it on that final restart. I couldn’t ask for much more out of this Kaulig Racing team.”
– Brenden Queen, Driver
Race Strategies and Notable Performances
Daniel Dye approached the event cautiously, prioritizing a clean finish over risky moves. Dye managed to cross the checkered flag without incident, something he had not achieved at Daytona in several years, thanks to a conservative race plan and a quick Mopar Ram 1500. Although not securing a top-tier finish, Dye accomplished his goal of a safe and complete race, which added to the overall stability demonstrated by the Kaulig Racing drivers throughout the event.
Mini Tyrrell showed strong decision-making as he navigated the unpredictable closing laps. Despite encountering trouble when another truck spun directly in his path, Tyrrell credits his spotter Brandon and his pit crew for helping him avoid a catastrophic wreck, even though the incident left him just short of his own top-10 goals.
“Yeah, that was nuts, man. I just thought we were going to have a better finish —we played the race really smart start to finish. Shout out to my spotter, Brandon, for keeping me clean throughout the whole race. And just, unfortunately, we had somebody go around right in front of me and it was either kill the nose or nick the wall. So I picked the wall and came down.”
– Mini Tyrrell, Driver
“Pit crew boys did a great job all night just getting me in, getting me out. It’s awesome, man. I would have loved a touch better of a finish. I think if we wouldn’t have got caught up in that, man, I think we’d have been right there in the top 10, pretty competitive. But, yeah, man, I’m just so proud of my guys. I learned a ton throughout this day and this weekend and look forward to coming back here tomorrow with the ARCA car and trying it all again.”
– Mini Tyrrell, Driver
Justin Haley and Tony Stewart Join the Effort
Justin Haley, also piloting a Kaulig Racing entry, showcased the truck’s potential by leading several laps and executing consistent pit stops. Unfortunately, his chances at a strong finish dwindled after running short on fuel during a crucial late restart. However, Haley remains confident about the season ahead for the Kaulig Racing team and their Ram partnership.
“Successful first trip to the track with our No. 16 Celsius Ram 1500! We led laps, executed well but just ran out of fuel there on the restart. I’m excited for what’s to come this season with Kaulig Racing and Ram.”
– Justin Haley, Driver
Adding a layer of experience to the lineup, Tony Stewart made his return to NASCAR competition, appreciating the aggressive yet tactical nature of the drivers around him. Despite initially claiming he would never race NASCAR again, Stewart enjoyed the event and commended the Kaulig Racing and Ram teams for making his experience memorable.
“It was definitely fun, definitely running with a group of guys that are aggressive. I mean, those kids, if there was a hole, they took it. You got to be patient at the right times. Since we were so free at the beginning, we needed to protect ourselves. But you know, you start getting it closer to where you like it. You get up there and you want to start jousting with those guys. So, I’ve learned kind of never, never say never. So, I mean, 10 years ago, I said I was never coming back to a NASCAR race, and here we are. But I had a good time. I really enjoyed this. The folks at Kaulig Racing and Ram couldn’t have made it more fun for me and done a better job just getting here and then running well.”
– Tony Stewart, Driver
Looking Ahead After Daytona Success
This landmark Kaulig Racing Truck Series finish at Daytona signals a new chapter for the organization as it establishes itself in one of NASCAR’s most competitive divisions. The collaboration among team members, including notable contributions from Eddie Pardue and Derek Kneeland, delivered a result that energizes their season ambitions and boosts confidence for future outings. As the team prepares for the next round and drivers reflect on lessons learned, Kaulig Racing aims to build on this top-10 achievement and continue making progress on the national stage, with anticipation high for what lies ahead both in the Truck Series and allied ARCA events.
