Best of the Rest: Daytona Weekend

Best of the Rest is back for 2026! This time around, we will look at the best underdog performers from ARCA. Trucks, O’Reilly, and of course the Cup Series. In an ironic twist for ARCA, the loss of two longtime teams has opened the doors for new competitors and teams to emerge. ARCA seems to be heading back to the beloved series it was not that long ago. 

This year to focus on those who deserve the spotlight more, we will be looking at two drivers from each series.

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We begin the season at Daytona, where all four series (ARCA is owned by NASCAR) kicked off their 2026 seasons in Daytona’s usual dramatic fashion. New names at the front, annual Daytona carnage, and the return of Dodge (and the RAM) brand in the Craftsman Truck Series made for a memorable kickoff weekend.

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General Tire 200

Winner: Giovanni Ruggiero

#55-Isabella Robusto

One of the young an upcoming talents via the Toyota Development program, Robusto had a banner day in Daytona. During the off season, Robusto’s #55 Toyota team transitioned from the now closed Venturini Motorsports to Nitro Motorsports, who bought the former Venturini team in full.

While the result was not the desired one due to mechanical issues, Robusto started her familiar #55 on the front row (2nd), led 10 laps, and was in a position for her first career win before the issues relegated her to a 37th-place finish.

#76 Kole Raz

Another somewhat familiar name at the front of the event late was Kole Raz. Returning to his #76 AM Racing Ford, Raz had a solid performance in Daytona. Starting 32nd deep in the field, Raz moved to the front quickly, and brought his Ford home in 3rd.

Raz has six career ARCA Menards Series starts, with five coming in 2025. While 2026 Daytona was Raz’s best career finish, the AM Racing prospect also has a pair of 6th=place runs last season at Daytona and Phoenix.

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Fresh from Florida 250

Winner: Chandler Smith

#91 Christian Eckes

After spending 2025 with Kaulig Racing in what was the Xfinity Series, Eckes returned home to McAnally-Hilgemann Racing in the truck series for 2026. Eckes, tapped to drive MHR’s #91 Chevrolet, made his presence felt as the duo reunited in Daytona. Starting his Chevy in 11th, Eckes quickly found his way up front, and was a contender to win before finishing 3rd in his return.

Interesting note, due the pack/draft style racing Daytona is known for, most drivers are up and down the scoreboard throughout the event. For Eckes, he officially made 271 green flag passes in the event before settling in 3rd.

#12 Brenden “Butterbean” Queen

Considered one of the top rookie contenders heading into 2026, the 2025 ARCA Menards Series champion was also tasked with brining RAM back into the picture in the truck series. A member of the multi-truck effort fielded by Kaulig Racing to bring Dodge back to NASCAR, Queen will drive the #12 RAM full-time this season.

Easily the best performing of the RAM flock, Queen qualified his #12 entry 22nd making the race on speed. The rookie contender took advantage of his new ride, and spent a good portion of the race in the top ten before finishing 7th. Queen was also the highest finishing of the Kaulig RAM team, with Daniel Dye next in 17th.

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United Rentals 300

Winner: Austin Hill

#32 Jordan Anderson

Always a strong contender in trucks and the NOAP Series on superspeedways, team owner Jordan Anderson had yet another strong run to kickoff 2026. Jordan Anderson Racing’s #32 Chevrolet is a part-time effort, accompanying the regular two-car effort in select events.

Daytona started strong for Anderson, who started his Camaro 17th, had a strong day. Following his qualifying effort, the #32 led the pack for 4 laps before finishing a strong 4th. This was Anderson’s first top five finish since Daytona in 2024, mainly due to only making 3 starts in 2025.

#02 Ryan Ellis
For 2026, Ellis moved from his DGM racing entry, to take over the seat of Young’s Motorsports’ #02 Chevrolet full-time. Both Ellis and Young’s have a reputation of pulling a rabbit out of a hat sometimes, and having an impressive run for a lower-budget team…this was certainly the case at Daytona.

Brining sponsor Tablo TV on board with him, Ellis piloted the #02 Chevrolet to a 6th-place finish after starting 32nd..an impressive debut for the first year driver/team pairing. This 6th-place run comes on the back of a previous best 8th at Charlotte in 2025.

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Daytona 500

Winner: Tyler Reddick

#47 Ricky Stenhouse, Jr.

For Stenhouse, who is in his second year with the re-branded HYAK Motorsports team, the first year together left quite a bit to be desired as the team struggled to gain footing. One of the few single-car operations in existence, Stenhouse and his #47 team had an impressive showing in the 500.

Traditionally one of the stronger superspeedway racers in the series, the HYAK Motorsports driver showed why the team belongs yet again. Starting his red Chevrolet in 16th, Stenhouse led 4 laps in the event, and came home second amongst a chaotic finish. This was Stenhouse’s best run since finishing 6th at Atlanta in 2025.

#38 Zane Smith

Smith returned for Front Row Motorsports and their #38 Ford in 2025 after spending time at Spire Motorsports in 2024. With a renewed contract in hand, Smith was able to capitalize on what the FRM #38 team and himself had begun to build in late 2025, showing speed weekly.

The Daytona 500 was nothing short of an impressive run for Smith, who was one of the few frontwards facing cars left at race’s end, due to an pileup. Starting the #38 Mustang Dark Horse deep in 30th-place, Smith found his way to the front, led 9 laps mid-race, and survived the late melee to finish 6th. Smith’s previous best run in 2025 was a 9th in the fall race at Talladega.