The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series kicked off the 2026 season on Friday night with the Fresh From Florida 250 from Daytona International Speedway. The race marked the return of Dodge for the first time since 2012.
This race also marked the return of Tony Stewart, who made his first NASCAR start since 2016 and the first truck race since 2005. Other notable drivers to compete in this race were Cleetus McFarland, Ricky Stenhouse Jr, Carson Hocevar, and Travis Pastrana.
The race saw a total of six cautions for 31 laps. Cleetus McFarland was the first driver out of the race after Tyler Ankrum made contact from behind. Later in the race, Tony Stewart was hit by Jake Garcia after Garcia lost control of the truck. Stewart finished in 36th place.
The next two cautions were for flat tires, both by Carson Hocevar, and the final race happened on lap 97, involving five trucks, including Taylor Gray, Spencer Boyd, Mini Tyrrell, Travis Pastrana, and Dawson Sutton, sending the race to overtime.
Justin Haley and Michael McDowell both led 20 laps, which tied the most laps led in the race. In overtime, Michael McDowell and Kayden Honeycutt led the field to the restart. On the final lap, eight trucks were competing for the win.
John Hunter Nemechek took the lead heading into turn four. Giovanni Ruggiero and Christian Eckes were both on the outside coming to the checkered flag when Chandler Smith dove to the bottom to pass all three of them for his first win of the season by .044 seconds. Giovanni Ruggiero, Christian Eckes, Ty Majeski, and John Hunter Nemechek rounded out the top five.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Brendon Queen, Kaden Honeycutt, Tyler Ankrum, and Stewart Friesen completed the top ten. For Chandler Smith, it was his eighth-career Truck Series win.
The Craftsman Truck Series heads to EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway) next Saturday, February 21, 2026, at 1:30 pm on FS1.
