The ARCA Menards Series Road to Daytona is set to introduce a new group of grassroots champions and standout rookies in January 2026, as they take their first laps at Daytona International Speedway during the series’ annual pre-race practice. This highly anticipated session, where fresh talent and seasoned drivers gather, underscores the continued significance of the ARCA Menards Series Road to Daytona in shaping the future of American stock car racing.
Emerging Talents Prepare for Daytona Showcase
On January 9 and 10, drivers drawn from the ARCA Menards Series East and West divisions, the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, NASCAR Weekly Series, ASA CRA Super Series, ASA Midwest Tour, and ASA Southern Super Series will converge at Daytona International Speedway. Their vehicles will be provided by Fast Track High Performance Racing Team, led by 1995 series national champion Andy Hillenburg. Major industry partners such as Ilmor, Hoosier Tire, Sunoco, Eibach Springs, and JRI Shocks are supporting this pre-race initiative.
Spotlight on 2026 Road to Daytona Participants
The 2026 roster boasts seven promising drivers, each acclaimed in their respective racing circuits:
1. Isaac Kitzmiller: At just 16 years old and hailing from Maysville, West Virginia, Kitzmiller clinched the 2025 ARCA Menards Series East championship. As the son of ARCA driver Jason Kitzmiller, Isaac achieved three top-five and eight top-ten finishes in all eight starts, most notably a fourth place at both Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and Dover Motor Speedway.
2. Robbie Kennealy: Aged 19 and from Madera, California, Kennealy earned the 2025 ARCA Menards Series West Bounty Rookie of the Year title. His season was highlighted by an emotional maiden victory at All American Speedway, capturing the win from pole position nearly a year after the loss of his father, Gary. Kennealy finished the season third in series points, recording ten top-ten results in 12 starts.
3. Craig Lutz: Lutz, 31, from Miller Place, New York, finished third in the 2025 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour standings. A veteran with six NWMT wins—including triumphs at North Wilkesboro Speedway and Richmond International Raceway in 2025—Lutz consistently performed, notching nine top-five and 12 top-ten finishes in 16 starts.
4. Kody King: The 18-year-old from Cedar Lake, Iowa, captured the 2025 ASA Midwest Tour Rookie of the Year honor. King ended up fifth in the season standings with a single top-five finish. Previously, he was late model champion at Hawkeye Downs Speedway in 2022 and placed fifth in the CARS Tour Pro Late Model standings the same year.
5. Brad May: From Orlando, Florida, May, 48, is a respected competitor with numerous Super Late Model titles at New Smyrna Speedway. As the 2025 NASCAR Weekly Series Florida State champion, he recorded seven feature victories in just nine races, which propelled him to the track championship.
6. Albert Francis: At 24, and representing Painesville, Ohio, Francis is not only the son of renowned engine builder Dale Francis but also a competitive racer, having ranked sixth in the ASA CRA Super Series. A season highlight was his ASA JEGS All-Star Tour win at Winchester Speedway on the eve of the Winchester 400.
7. Hudson Bulger: Eighteen-year-old Bulger from Perry, Georgia, represents the ASA Southern Super Series. He was the 2024 rookie of the year at New Smyrna Speedway before making his mark in touring series competition during 2025.
ARCA Road to Daytona’s Alumni and Legacy
This developmental program has served as launching pad for many now-successful drivers. Noteworthy past participants include Ty Majeski, who became the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion after his involvement in 2014; Travis Braden, a former ARCA Menards Series winner and now a key mechanic for Hendrick Motorsports’ No. 48 Chevrolet, who joined in 2013; Layne Riggs, a 2022 Truck Series championship contender; 2020 Daytona ARCA 200 victor Greg Van Alst; and 2024 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Justin Bonsignore. Their accomplishments underscore the transformative influence of the ARCA Menards Series Road to Daytona on racing careers.
Schedule for the 2026 Daytona Opening Events
The new ARCA Menards Series season gets underway at Daytona International Speedway, with practice slated for Thursday, February 12. Pole qualifying follows on Friday, February 13, and the 63rd Annual Daytona ARCA 200 will take place at noon ET on Saturday, February 14. The event will be broadcast live on FOX and MRN Radio Network affiliates. Fans eager to track session details can access live timing and scoring at ARCARacing.com.
What This Means for the Future of Stock Car Racing
The 2026 class of the ARCA Menards Series Road to Daytona emphasizes the ongoing strength and depth of North America’s grassroots racing ranks. With talented drivers like Isaac Kitzmiller, Robbie Kennealy, Kody King, Albert Francis, and Hudson Bulger, along with veterans like Brad May and Craig Lutz, the program’s legacy seems assured. As these rising stars prepare to compete in high-stakes events at a storied venue, the eyes of the racing world will be on Daytona, ready to witness the next generation take their place in stock car history.
