After months of dedicated preparation, Alli Owens is set to make her highly anticipated comeback in the ARCA Menards Series during Saturday’s General Tire 200 at Daytona International Speedway in Florida. This race represents her first ARCA start at Daytona since 2010 and marks her return to the series for the first time since that August at Chicagoland Speedway in Illinois, closing a chapter after more than ten years away from this level of competition.
Driving for Venturini Motorsports, a top-tier team in the series, Owens aims to rekindle her competitive spirit and chase renewed success on the 2.5-mile superspeedway, igniting excitement among racing fans and supporters.
A Mother’s Journey from Racing to Family and Back
Since stepping away from full-time ARCA racing, Owens has occasionally raced in NASCAR’s national divisions but shifted her focus primarily to motherhood, dedicating herself to raising her three children. Despite this transition, the passion for racing has remained a constant force in her life. The Daytona Beach native, shaped by grassroots American racing culture and a blue-collar work ethic, is now returning to competition with a purpose that goes beyond speed and standings.
This comeback embodies a message of resilience and representation for working mothers, second chances, and dreamers who often feel overlooked in motorsports. For Owens, her return signals that perseverance and dedication can triumph in the face of life’s challenges.
Getting Ready to Race: Testing and Team Preparations
Owens recently participated in preseason testing at Daytona, demonstrating that her skills remain sharp despite 16 years away from ARCA-level competition and driving a different style of car. During the two-day session, which included 82 drivers, Owens’ car showed promising speed as she posted solid solo lap times and ended with top-10 laps in the draft, ranking 19th overall.
Her team, Kimmel Racing, led by Bill and Will Kimmel, meticulously prepared the No. 68 Ford to ensure it could compete for a top-10 finish—a goal Owens last achieved in 2010 at Salem Speedway in Indiana. This rigorous effort shows the commitment of both driver and team as she steps back into the spotlight.
This opportunity isn’t just about me,
Owens explained.
It’s about showing that your story doesn’t end just because life takes you in a different direction. I’m proud to represent working moms, second chances and anyone who refuses to give up on their dreams. Now I get to go out there and race.
?Alli Owens, Driver
Getting back in the car during testing was emotional, but once the helmet went on, it was all business,
she added.
The speed was there, and that builds confidence. The team has worked hard to give me something I can race with, and I’m ready to make the most of it.
?Alli Owens, Driver
Focused on Competing and Setting an Example
Owens approaches the General Tire 200 with clear goals—not merely to race, but to contend for a strong finish amid the intense competition of one of ARCA’s premier events. Her performance at testing reinforced her belief in the team’s speed and strategy.
Daytona is about putting yourself in the right position and being there when it counts,
Owens said.
We showed at the test that we have speed and I believe in this team. If we stay disciplined, work the draft the right way and avoid the chaos, there’s no reason we can’t be battling inside the top-10 when it matters.
?Alli Owens, Driver
The race carries personal weight as Owens’ three children—two teenage daughters and a young son—will watch their mother compete as the only mother in the ARCA Menards Series lineup. For her, this changes the nature of the challenge, intertwining racing achievements with family values and lessons.
They’ve seen the hard days, Owens reflected. “They’ve seen the sacrifices and the work it took just to get back here. To have them at Daytona, watching me do something I love, means more than any finish ever could.
I’m their mom first — that will always come before anything — but when I buckle in, I’m still a racer. And I want them to see both.
?Alli Owens, Driver
Support From Partners Fuels the Comeback
Owens’ return is made possible through significant backing from sponsors, most notably Bighorn Outdoors, which specializes in premium pizza ovens, grills, and outdoor kitchen products, serving as her primary marketing partner for the race. Additional partners supporting her effort include ECCL 3:1-15 Inc., Executive Building Services, IBEW Local 756, Living Legends of Auto Racing, Raising Hearts Building Futures Foundation, Scotty Boy Landscaping & Maintenance, Smart Sheds Industries, and Waldo’s Billiards and Sports Pub.
None of this happens without the people who believe in you,
Owens acknowledged.
Bighorn Outdoors and all of our partners stepped up in a big way to make Daytona possible.
?Alli Owens, Driver
Their support means more than just logos on a car — it’s belief in what we’re building, both on the track and beyond it. I’m proud to represent them on one of the biggest stages of the season.
?Alli Owens, Driver
Looking Ahead Beyond Daytona
The General Tire 200 is currently planned as a one-off race for Owens and Kimmel Racing in 2026, but efforts are underway to secure additional funding for her to expand her schedule. This would enable her to maintain both her competitive drive and the message she represents, inspiring others in the process.
In final practice on Thursday before the race, Owens posted the 30th fastest time overall, positioning her to build momentum heading into qualifying and the event itself.
The General Tire 200 will cover 80 laps and 200 miles, kicking off the 20-race 2026 ARCA Menards Series season. The action begins with practice on Thursday, February 12, followed by pole qualifying on Friday, February 13, and the race expected to start shortly after noon ET on Saturday, February 14. For the second consecutive year, FOX will provide live television coverage, while Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 offer radio broadcasts. Live timing and scoring will be available via ARCARacing.com.
