Bryce Applegate, a rising young driver from Simpsonville, Kentucky, showed promising speed during the ARCA Menards Series preseason test at Daytona International Speedway, placing 34th on the speed charts. Approaching his 20th birthday, Applegate is preparing to make his ARCA debut with Mullins Racing at Daytona on February 14, aiming to build on his experience in late model stock cars and the CARS Tour.
Applegate’s Early Racing Journey and Background
Though Applegate comes from a family without a racing background, his passion for motorsports began in early childhood. He started out in indoor go-karts at five years old, before moving to dirt flat karts and eventually competing in Bandolero and Legends car series for several years.
“My family was never in racing,”
Applegate explained.
“We only watched it, and I was the first to drive a go-kart. I raced an indoor go-kart when I was five and six years old. I went into dirt flat karts a year or two after. Then I did two years driving a Bandolero for Josh Williams [the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series driver].”
His success continued as he captured his second Bandolero win at Charlotte Motor Speedway, followed by five to six years in Legends cars under Josh Williams’ guidance. After this, he progressed through late model racing and eventually the CARS Tour, gaining vital experience at each step.
“I won my second Bandolero race at Charlotte Motor Speedway. Then I moved into Legends cars for five-six years with Williams. Then I did some late model racing for him, then some CARS Tour racing,”
Applegate added.
In 2025, Applegate rivaled a demanding schedule by balancing full-time college studies at UNC Charlotte with a selective racing calendar, competing in one CARS Tour race and six events at Caraway Speedway. He earned two victories at Caraway, never finishing outside the top three, all while driving a racecar built in 2000.
Back in Victory Lane at Caraway Speedway. Thanks @MotorsportsJw for bringing this vintage beast back to life. pic.twitter.com/KfcfwWeDOz
Connecting with Mullins Racing for Daytona
The connection to Mullins Racing came through Billy Venturini, owner of Venturini Motorsports and now general manager of Nitro Motorsports, who arranged for Applegate’s test at Daytona. According to team owner Willie Mullins, Applegate made an immediate impression during testing, demonstrating strong communication skills and a good rapport with his spotter.
“He was very proficient, and he listened to his spotter Kevin Belmont,”
Mullins said.
“He [Kevin] was pleased with Bryce. So we were very excited to hear that Bryce was able to put a deal together to come race with us at Daytona.”
Applegate described the unique physical sensations of racing at Daytona compared to short tracks.
“To me, it was the G-force you feel inside the racecar, because at a short track, you don’t feel any G-force,”
he said about his test run.
More importantly, Applegate felt welcomed within the Mullins Racing team, which helped him gain confidence ahead of his debut.
“I felt like I was a part of the Mullins family,”
he said.
“I taught Brad Perez how to drive Legend cars, and it came full circle. He taught me how to drive ARCA cars at Daytona.
I was embraced into the Mullins family. They were kind to us and taught us, so it was a good group and I’m really a more introverted person. I don’t like to be outspoken or outgoing, and they accepted me. When I got into that car, I got to be myself with them.”
The Racecar and Team Setup for Daytona
Applegate will be driving a Ford from the Mullins stable, the same car he piloted during his test session. This racecar has a strong history, originally built by Mark McFarland and debuting at Daytona in 2018 with Sheldon Creed behind the wheel, finishing third to help Mullins achieve his career-best second place in the owner standings. The car has also been driven by notable drivers like Brandon McReynolds, David Gravel, and Brayton Laster, who last ran it at Daytona in 2023.
Mullins also fields a Chevrolet racecar, the vehicle he used to win pole position in 2024. That Chevrolet is also remembered for a 2022 Talladega incident when Laster went airborne; however, the primary focus for Applegate remains his Ford, which showcased speed and consistency during testing.
“Our main focus is on Bryce and making sure we give him the best equipment to go forward,”
Mullins said.
“That’s why we have him in the Chevrolet, because it was fast at the test again. It’s always been a good solid car. Then we surrounded him with a bunch of great people along with Tony Furr as his crew chief.”
Tony Furr, an experienced crew chief, will work alongside Applegate to optimize race strategy and car setup, with Alex Quarterley supporting the team as an additional crew chief.
Field Size Challenges and Qualifying Outlook
The Daytona ARCA race will feature a large field with up to 50 cars entered, meaning 10 drivers are expected to fail to qualify. Mullins’ No. 3 car finished 25th in the 2025 owner point standings, but Applegate’s No. 34 vehicle uses Vaughn Racing’s owner points, which ranked 38th last year, benefitting his likelihood to make the race.
If weather or other factors cancel qualifying—as happened the previous year—Applegate would secure a spot on owner points.
“It was just a matter of assurance,”
Mullins said of the decision to use the No. 34 owner points.
Team partnerships aided this arrangement. Fellow team owner Alex Clubb helped secure the collaboration with Vaughn Racing, ensuring the best possible chance for Applegate to start the event.
Race Strategy and Applegate’s Confident Approach
Willie Mullins highlighted the critical objective of simply making the race first, knowing the high competition level.
“Right now, I want to have a clean race first,”
Mullins said.
“The biggest hurdle is first making the field. With this being one of the larger fields since 2006, 10 cars will go home. And with our struggling speed at the January test, we’re hoping we found the speed to get us back to where we need to be.”
Mullins outlined a flexible plan based on qualifying position: aiming for a strong start if inside the top 12, or adapting race tactics if qualifying further back.
“My plan for the race is two-fold. If we qualify in the top 12, there’s a good chance we’ll go race. If we qualify 20th on back, we may come up with a different plan for race strategy. We’ll see how that plays out. At Daytona, we’re hopeful to make it to lap 60. Once we get to lap 60, we’ll see where we’re at.”
Despite the pressure of qualifying, Applegate remains undaunted, confident in both his skills and the car’s performance.
“In the test, my car was one of the strongest in the field,”
Applegate said.
“I know they can build a good car. I know I’m a good driver. I’ve just to watch, listen, watch some races and talk to my spotter and see what I can do.”
Applegate will be guided by spotter Nick Del Campo, who also supports NASCAR Cup Series driver Noah Gragson, helping him navigate race dynamics and drafting partnerships.
Expectations and Learning Goals for Daytona
Applegate balances optimism with realism as he contemplates his potential in this challenging race. He believes a victory is possible but remains aware that survival and gaining experience are paramount.
“My expectation foremost is to win the race,”
Applegate said.
“I can win the race. The realistic expectation, though, is let’s see where we are at lap 40. Let’s see if I’m still in the race, can compete, what the car is like and what it’s doing. By lap 60, be in the top 20, start marching to the front and, hopefully, be in a position to win it with one to go.”
He is also prepared to learn the complexities of drafting and teamwork required to excel on superspeedways.
“Some uncertainty for the race on how much energy it will take to make a pass,”
Applegate said.
“During the race, how many friends will you need to have, what to do to make and keep that friend to not make an enemy so you have someone to work with. How many cars will it take to make a good push, how hard can I push the car in front of me — I’m going to test that out in the first half of the race.”
Future Plans and Team Outlook Beyond Daytona
While Applegate has tentative plans for additional races during the 2026 season, no formal agreements are in place yet. Meanwhile, Willie Mullins is developing a car for the ARCA Menards Series East season opener at Hickory Motor Speedway but remains undecided on who will drive it.
Decisions about entering the ARCA event at Talladega will hinge on the condition of their cars after Daytona, as durability in such demanding races is critical.
Mullins, still seeking his first ARCA victory, is optimistic about his team’s prospects given the strong support and quality equipment they’ve assembled.
“As a part-time team, we’ve been able to put together a good group of people who are going to work on two good solid cars this weekend,”
Mullins remarked.
This collaborative and dedicated approach presents a solid foundation as Bryce Applegate embarks on his ARCA Bryce Applegate debut at Daytona International Speedway, marking a pivotal step in his racing career. His youthful enthusiasm, combined with Mullins Racing’s experienced operation and strategic preparation, positions them as competitive contenders in this marquee ARCA event.
Back in Victory Lane at Caraway Speedway. Thanks @MotorsportsJw for bringing this vintage beast back to life. pic.twitter.com/KfcfwWeDOz
— Bryce Applegate (@BApplegate45) August 26, 2025
NEWS: Bryce Applegate will make his ARCA Menards Series debut for @mullins_racing in the No. 34 Chevrolet SS at Daytona International Speedway on February 14. #ARCA pic.twitter.com/S2aRgm7dYW
— Declan Wayman (@declan_wayman) February 6, 2026
