Kaulig Racing delivered an impressive performance during the recent truck series event at Daytona International Speedway, marking their first top-10 finish with the Ram 1500. The team’s strong showing demonstrated careful strategy and skillful execution throughout the race, showcasing their potential for the season ahead.
Drivers Reflect on Key Moments and Challenges During the Race
Brenden Queen expressed pride in the team’s accomplishment at Daytona, highlighting the collaborative effort behind their top finish.
“What a fun way to kick off the season. I’m super proud to get Kaulig Racing and Ram their first top-10 finish in the truck series. I feel like tonight was a strong outing for this program as a whole. I can’t take all the credit for this — my crew chief Eddie Pardue did a great job, and my spotter Derek Kneeland took the joystick and drove it on that final restart. I couldn’t ask for much more out of this Kaulig Racing team,”
Queen said.
Daniel Dye focused on consistency and safety during the race, aiming to simply reach the finish line after a four-year gap without completing a race at Daytona.
“Generally, I just played it safe all night. Was hoping to just make it to the checkered flag. It’s been four years since I’ve done that at this racetrack, so just tried to play it safe, and that’s what we did. Our Mopar Ram 1500 had good speed, and it came back without a scratch on it. So, not exactly where we would have liked to finish, but we did finish.”
Pit Crew and Spotter Contributions Stand Out Among Team Efforts
Mini Tyrrell shared his mixed emotions about the race, reflecting on smart driving and an unfortunate incident near the end.
“Yeah, that was nuts, man. I just thought we were going to have a better finish — we played the race really smart start to finish. Shout out to my spotter, Brandon, for keeping me clean throughout the whole race. And just, unfortunately, we had somebody go around right in front of me and it was either kill the nose or nick the wall. So I picked the wall and came down.”
He also praised the pit crew’s efficiency which contributed to maintaining a competitive position.
“Pit crew boys did a great job all night just getting me in, getting me out. It’s awesome, man. I would have loved a touch better of a finish. I think if we wouldn’t have got caught up in that, man, I think we’d have been right there in the top 10, pretty competitive. But, yeah, man, I’m just so proud of my guys. I learned a ton throughout this day and this weekend and look forward to coming back here tomorrow with the ARCA car and trying it all again.”
Justin Haley Celebrates Encouraging Debut and Looks Ahead
Justin Haley regarded the event as a successful first outing with the No. 16 Celsius Ram 1500, noting strong moments during the race despite running out of fuel on the final restart.
“Successful first trip to the track with our No. 16 Celsius Ram 1500! We led laps, executed well but just ran out of fuel there on the restart. I’m excited for what’s to come this season with Kaulig Racing and Ram.”
Tony Stewart Shares Experience Racing with Aggressive Young Competitors
Tony Stewart reflected on the dynamic and competitive nature of the race, emphasizing the importance of patience and adaptability when running with a determined group of drivers.
“It was definitely fun, definitely running with a group of guys that are aggressive. I mean, those kids, if there was a hole, they took it. You got to be patient at the right times. Since we were so free at the beginning, we needed to protect ourselves. But you know, you start getting it closer to where you like it. You get up there and you want to start jousting with those guys. So, I’ve learned kind of never, never say never. So, I mean, 10 years ago, I said I was never coming back to a NASCAR race, and here we are. But I had a good time. I really enjoyed this. The folks at Kaulig Racing and Ram couldn’t have made it more fun for me and done a better job just getting here and then running well.”
Kaulig Racing’s Daytona Performance Sets Tone for Upcoming Season
Kaulig Racing’s solid finish at Daytona with the Ram 1500 highlights the team’s growing competitiveness in the truck series. The combination of strong driver performances, effective spotter work, and reliable pit crew support underpins a promising foundation for the rest of the season. These efforts not only show progress at a challenging racetrack but also elevate expectations for further achievements in upcoming races. As Kaulig Racing continues to refine its strategies and build team synergy, the momentum gained at Daytona will likely serve as a catalyst for improved results throughout the year.
