After four years competing with smaller teams in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Nick Leitz from Chesapeake, Virginia, is set to take a major step forward in his racing career. He will make his TRICON Garage debut behind the wheel of top-tier equipment during the season-opening NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway on February 13, 2026.
Leitz will drive the No. 5 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro, fielded by TRICON Garage and sponsored by SEM Products, marking his first opportunity to compete on a superspeedway track at this level.
Background and Previous NASCAR Experience for Leitz
The 29-year-old driver will be making his ninth start in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, though this will be his debut on a track like Daytona International Speedway. His best finishes so far in the series include two 19th-place results at Nashville Superspeedway and Phoenix Raceway in 2023.
In 2025, Nick Leitz primarily focused on the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, competing in 12 races for SS-GreenLight Racing driving the No. 07 Chevrolet. His top performance that year was an 11th-place finish at Talladega Superspeedway. He also raced in the season finale for RSS Racing in the No. 28 truck, earning a top-20 finish in that event.
TRICON Garage’s Expanded Presence at Daytona
TRICON Garage will enter five trucks in the Daytona season-opener, including full-time drivers Kaden Honeycutt in the No. 11, Tanner Gray in the No. 15, and Gio Ruggiero in the No. 17. Additionally, a rotational vehicle will run in the No. 1 truck with a driver still to be announced. Leitz’s No. 5 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro was the fifth full-time TRICON entry in 2025, driven by Toni Breidinger during her rookie campaign.
Currently, this truck sits 28th in Owner Points, meaning Leitz must deliver a strong qualifying performance to secure a spot in the race at Daytona.
Details on the Fresh From Florida 250 and Broadcast Information
The Fresh From Florida 250 will serve as the opening race of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series 2026 season, held on Friday, February 13, starting at 7:30 PM ET from Daytona International Speedway. Fans can watch the event live on FOX Sports 1 and listen in on the NASCAR Racing Network or SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90.
Potential Impact of Leitz’s Debut and Future Outlook
Nick Leitz’s entry into TRICON Garage’s well-equipped team at Daytona signals a significant moment in his racing journey, moving from underfunded teams to a competitive ride with better resources. His performance on this superspeedway, a challenging track type he has not raced on in the series before, could open doors for further opportunities in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
As TRICON Garage fields multiple entries with talented drivers like Kaden Honeycutt, Tanner Gray, and Gio Ruggiero alongside Leitz, the team aims to make a strong impression in the 2026 season, starting with this high-profile event at Daytona.
“There’s a new kid in town. @NickLeitz_ will make his TRICON debut, piloting the @semproducts No. 5 at Daytona! pic.twitter.com/1mGzXDPXBo” — TRICON Garage
There’s a new kid in town. @NickLeitz_ will make his TRICON debut, piloting the @semproducts No. 5 at Daytona! pic.twitter.com/1mGzXDPXBo
— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) February 9, 2026
