Daytona Speedweeks 2026: Truck race at Daytona leads into the Daytona 500

Daytona Speedweeks shifts into high gear Friday night as the NASCAR Truck Series opens its 2026 season under the lights, setting the tone for a packed weekend that culminates with the Daytona 500 on Sunday afternoon. With a superspeedway field that was strong enough to force teams to sweat the cut line, the daytona truck race has become more than an undercard—it’s the first real test of drafting discipline, late-race decision-making, and pit-road precision in the new year.

The weekend’s rhythm is straightforward: the truck race at Daytona on Friday, the major Saturday event, and then the Great American Race on Sunday. The storyline, as always at Daytona, is that the margins are tiny and the consequences are huge.

Weekend schedule at a glance (ET)

NASCAR Truck Series Daytona: a crowded field and a fast front row

The NASCAR Truck Series daytona opener drew an oversized entry list, with 44 trucks listed for a 36-truck starting field. That depth matters because it raises the competitive floor: even teams that “just want to make the show” can bring speed, and the final few spots can come down to fractions in qualifying.

At the front, Ty Majeski won the pole with a lap of 50.881 seconds, putting him in prime position to control the early lanes and choose drafting partners before the pack fully sorts itself out. Michael McDowell qualified alongside Majeski on the front row, with Tanner Gray and Carson Hocevar close behind on row two—four names that suggest a mix of proven craft and aggressive upside.

Daytona doesn’t always reward the fastest single lap, but starting up front can still matter: it reduces the need to take risks early, lowers the chances of getting caught in someone else’s mess, and gives a driver more control over when to commit to a lane.

Truck race Daytona 2026: Tony Stewart’s return adds a new twist

One of the weekend’s most watched subplots is Tony Stewart returning to NASCAR competition in the Truck Series at Daytona for the first time since 2016. Stewart is leaning into a venue that fits his skill set: drafting tracks minimize the “learning curve” of unfamiliar vehicles compared with precision road courses or tire-management ovals, and Stewart’s history at Daytona gives his comeback instant credibility.

His appearance is also tied to a manufacturer push, with Ram’s involvement bringing additional attention and a “special entry” feel to the race. In a season opener where everyone is looking for early momentum, a veteran with deep superspeedway instincts can disrupt the usual script—especially if he lands in the right draft and avoids trouble until the final 20 laps.

How the Daytona truck race is typically won

The daytona truck race rarely plays out like a conventional oval event. With the field compressed by aerodynamic draft, the “best” truck is often the one that stays clean, keeps its nose on, and avoids losing the lead pack after pit cycles.

Three pressure points usually decide the outcome:

• Restarts: Lane choice and pushing partners can make or break the next 10 laps.

• Pit cycles: A slow stop or a mistimed merge can drop a contender outside the main draft.

• Final lap positioning: Leaders can be vulnerable if they’re isolated; second and third can control the slingshot.

That dynamic also shapes the kind of drivers who shine here: ones who communicate well with spotters, accept that patience is a weapon, and still have the nerve to block and counter-block when it counts.

Daytona 500 context: Byron’s backup car and a historic chase

Sunday’s Daytona 500 arrives with its own headline: William Byron will use a backup car after damage in qualifying, meaning he’ll start deep in the field—39th—while trying to do something no one has accomplished in the modern era: win the race three straight times. The backup-car switch doesn’t eliminate his chances at Daytona, where the draft can erase track position quickly, but it does raise the risk level. Starting that far back increases exposure to mid-pack turbulence, which can turn a promising day into a damaged car in seconds.

Taken together, the weekend’s arc is classic Daytona: the trucks provide the first full-pack chaos of the season, Saturday adds another high-speed rehearsal, and Sunday crowns a winner who often needed both speed and survival instincts. If Friday’s Truck Series opener is any indication, truck race daytona 2026 is set to deliver the same thing fans chase every February—clean moves, bold pushes, and a finish that can flip in the final half-mile.