Full Breakdown
Kaden Honeycutt Tops NASCAR Truck Series Practice at Daytona
2/13/2026, 12:58:19 PM
Fast Start for Honeycutt in the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota
Kaden Honeycutt made a strong debut as the driver of the No. 11 TRICON Garage Toyota Tundra TRD Pro by recording the fastest lap during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice session at Daytona International Speedway. On Thursday afternoon, Honeycutt clocked a time of 48.439 seconds, narrowly edging out Taylor Gray, who drove the No. 1 TRICON Garage truck, by just 0.009 seconds. Grant Enfinger, Michael McDowell, and Cole Butcher completed the top five in the session, which featured 37 trucks.
Honeycutt's performance is particularly notable as he takes over the No. 11 truck, which was previously driven by Corey Heim, the 2025 Truck Series champion who achieved a record 12 wins last season. This transition marks a significant moment for TRICON Garage as they aim to maintain their competitive edge in the series.
Challenges Faced by Other Competitors
The practice session was not without its challenges. A total of 44 trucks were entered, but only 36 managed to take to the track due to issues in the inspection bay. Notable drivers who did not complete a lap included Daniel Hemric, Toni Breidinger, and Bryan Dauzat. Carson Hocevar, driving the No. 77 Best Buy/IKEA Chevrolet Silverado, faced mechanical issues that hindered his performance, resulting in a 24th-fastest lap time before his troubles.
Upcoming Events and Broadcast Information
Qualifying for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Fresh From Florida 250 is scheduled for Friday, February 13, at 3 PM ET, with coverage on FS1. The race itself will follow later that evening, starting at 7:30 PM ET, also broadcast on FS1, NRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Criticism & Opposition
While Honeycutt's performance has been praised, the practice session's limitations have raised concerns among teams and drivers about the fairness of competition. The inability of several trucks to participate could impact their chances in the upcoming race, leading to discussions about the inspection process and its implications for teams.
Verbatim Quotes
- “While practice at superspeedways aren't usually indicative of much, it was a great way for Honeycutt to begin his tenure as the driver of the No.” — Toby Christie, Editor-in-Chief of Racing America
- “Due to issues in the inspection bay, only 36 of the 44 trucks entered into the event were able to make it onto the racetrack to turn a lap during the 50-minute practice.” — Racing America Report
- “Qualifying for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway is set for Friday, February 13, and will be televised on FS1 with coverage set to begin at 3 PM ET.” — Racing America Report
This practice session at Daytona sets the stage for an exciting race weekend, with Kaden Honeycutt emerging as a key figure to watch in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
