On Friday, February 13, Ty Majeski clinched the pole position for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway. Competing against 44 trucks in qualifying, Majeski posted a fastest lap time of 50.882 seconds, averaging 176.883 mph in the No. 88 Ford for ThorSport Racing, earning him the prestigious Pole Award at the 2.5-mile high-banked trioval.
This pole marks Majeski’s third at Daytona, setting a competitive tone as he begins the season. Close behind him is NASCAR Cup Series regular Micheal McDowell, who secured the outside front-row spot with a lap time of 50.938 seconds at 176.682 mph in the No. 7 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports, marking his first front-row start at Daytona in any NASCAR series.
Notable Drivers Join the Starting Grid
The field of 37 trucks for the season-opening race features prominent names beyond the pole sitters, including Hall of Fame driver and three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Tony Stewart. YouTube personality Garret Mitchell, also known as Cleetus McFarland, and X Games competitor Travis Pastrana will also compete, adding diversity and excitement to the event.
The newly crowned ThorSport Racing driver Ty Majeski takes over the No. 88 Ford after last season’s champion Matt Crafton vacated the seat. Mitchell will make his first NASCAR Truck Series start, lining up 12th in the No. 4 Chevrolet for Niece Motorsports. Stewart will begin 15th driving the No. 25 Dodge Ram for Kaulig Racing, while Pastrana will start 16th in the No. 42 Chevrolet for Niece Motorsports.
Experienced NASCAR Cup Drivers Enhance Competition
The race also features seasoned NASCAR Cup Series competitors, including Carson Hocevar, who will start fourth in the No. 77 Chevrolet for Spire Motorsports. John Hunter Nemechek is set to begin 18th in the No. 62 Toyota for Halmar Friesen Racing, while Ricky Stenhouse Jr. will take the 31st starting position in the No. 45 Chevrolet for Niece Motorsports.
Stewart Friesen makes a return after suffering multiple injuries in a DIRT Modified race last June that cut his season short. He successfully rehabilitated and will race the No. 52 Toyota for Halmar Friesen Racing, starting 24th for the event.
Dodge Ram Teams Face Provisional Challenges to Secure Spots
Among the Dodge Ram teams, four out of five qualified directly on time. NASCAR announced that if any of the new Dodge Ram entrants failed to qualify on speed, they could use a provisional to enter the race, increasing the field size up to 40 trucks. Only the Kaulig Racing team of Mini Tyrell required this provisional, starting 37th with a lap of 51.810 seconds at 173.712 mph in the No. 14 Dodge Ram.
Broadcast Information for the Daytona Truck Series Race
The 100-lap NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race from Daytona International Speedway is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. ET and will be available for fans to watch on FS1-TV. Additionally, live coverage will be accessible through MRN Radio and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio, ensuring fans can follow the action both on television and via radio broadcasts.
