Thomas Annunziata, eager to rebound after a challenging race at Daytona International Speedway, is turning his attention to Phoenix Raceway for the next ARCA Menards Series event. The promising young racer, whose ARCA Daytona performance showed both skill and adversity, aims to put lessons learned at the superspeedway to work in his upcoming race.
Challenging Start to the Season at Daytona
Following a strong showing—finishing fourth—in the ARCA Menards Series preseason test, Annunziata entered Daytona’s season opener on February 14 with considerable optimism. He marked his second career start at the iconic 2.5-mile track, having already achieved a runner-up finish in his series debut. Yet, the race did not unfold as planned.
Despite a less-than-ideal qualifying session that saw him start 31st, Annunziata fought his way into the top ten midway through the contest. However, his progress was cut short with just eight laps remaining when contact from Jason Kitzmiller sent him spinning, resulting in a race-ending crash on lap 73. The incident garnered broadcast attention, with the ARCA Menards Series noting the late-race drama as
“Trouble! Thomas Annunziata goes around with eight laps to go at @DAYTONA 📺 Catch the #GeneralTire200 finish on FOX! pic.twitter.com/8OoUvpplL6”
—ARCA Menards Series.
Annunziata’s car sustained significant damage, and despite his team’s efforts, he finished the race in 26th place, marked as a DNF.
Reflections on the Daytona Incident
Addressing the aftermath, Annunziata expressed his gratitude to his team and recapped the challenges faced during the event.
“The guys at the shop did a great job,”
he told Frontstretch.
“The whole team did a good job. Our Nitro No. 70 JBL Toyota was fast, especially in different lanes making runs. We got a bad draw for qualifying. We did not go out with the quickest cars, so we qualified 31st. Had our work cut out for us in the race. Drove up to the front with our teammates and was in a good spot to have a chance there at the end for the win. Unfortunately, it ended early getting wrecked, but still rallied to a 26th-place finish, which was important for points.”
—Thomas Annunziata, Driver.
The crash itself left a physical and psychological mark on the young driver.
“Honestly, it was cool spinning out at 180 mph,”
he added.
“That fast is crazy. It was harder than I thought. It did not look that hard in the video but I ended up with some whiplash as a result. It was a hard hit for sure, but that’s Daytona.”
—Thomas Annunziata, Driver.
Nitro Motorsports, Annunziata’s team, brought five drivers to Daytona, all showing promising speed during preseason testing. Unfortunately, misfortune struck multiple team members during the race, undercutting high expectations.
“We all had fast cars and got wrecked there at the end. None of that was our doing, that’s for sure.”
—Thomas Annunziata, Driver.
Recovery, Resilience, and Preparation for Phoenix
After the emotional and physical strain from Daytona, Annunziata found a welcome pause in the racing calendar. During the nineteen days between races, he prioritized time with loved ones and focused on training and preparation.
“Training, obviously, studying, doing some iRacing, working out. We’ve been having some family issues at home at the moment, so being there for them for a little bit, then came back to North Carolina, which was important for me. Family is everything.”
—Thomas Annunziata, Driver.
Despite battling a cold and a hoarse voice, Annunziata’s determination to prepare remained firm. Turning his focus to Phoenix, he reflected on his previous experiences racing both in ARCA and in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at the Arizona circuit.
He articulated key differences between the series’ vehicles, particularly around handling and performance.
“There’s less aero and downforce in the O’Reilly car and there’s less horsepower, so they are a lot more difficult to drive. It’s hard to compare otherwise. Our ARCA equipment is better than what we had in the O’Reilly Series and that series was more difficult competition-wise. It’s much more difficult to drive in the O’Reilly Series.”
—Thomas Annunziata, Driver.
Looking Ahead to a Familiar Track
Having raced at Phoenix Raceway before, Annunziata embraces the advantage of prior track experience, especially in a season that features many unfamiliar venues.
“100%, I’d much rather have been to the track before, and there are not many of those this season,”
he continued.
“I think that’s what makes a driver a good driver is their ability to adapt to the challenge.”
—Thomas Annunziata, Driver.
In the ARCA Menards Series West season finale at Phoenix last year, he finished third, and with a crowded 40-car field set for the next race, competition will be intense. To prepare, he’s invested significant time in simulation work to refine his skills and strategies.
“We spent a lot of time in the sim trying to get a lot better,”
he said.
“I thought I did a good job at Phoenix last year in the ARCA car. We didn’t quite have the pace of the Joe Gibbs or PRG car out front. We should still have a shot. With the superspeedway chaos, this will be the first big test to see if our work over the winter has paid off. I’ll be there for the taking if the win is there. I know I can put myself in a position to run up front.”
—Thomas Annunziata, Driver.
He views the Phoenix event as a pivotal reset for his season.
“It’s a reset. To me, I see this as race No. 1 and see what we got. It’s going to come down to where we are. I’m excited for this race to start, as I think the season really starts here. After Phoenix, Kansas Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, we will know where we are at for sure.”
—Thomas Annunziata, Driver.
What the Phoenix Race Means for Annunziata’s Season
Following a frustrating outcome at Daytona, Thomas Annunziata’s focus is fixed on Phoenix as an opportunity to demonstrate strength, adaptability, and growth. With the ARCA Daytona performance offering crucial experience and insight, Annunziata is determined to make the most of familiar ground at Phoenix Raceway, leaning on both past performances and off-track preparation. The outcome in Phoenix, along with subsequent races at Kansas Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway, will provide an early indicator of Annunziata’s trajectory in the 2026 ARCA Menards Series season.
Trouble! Thomas Annunziata goes around with eight laps to go at @DAYTONA
📺 Catch the #GeneralTire200 finish on FOX! pic.twitter.com/8OoUvpplL6
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) February 14, 2026
