Grassroots ARCA Champions Prepare to Tackle the High Banks of Daytona
For a short-track racer, the high banks of Daytona International Speedway represent something more than just asphalt and concrete. They represent the summit. It is the place where legends are made, where engines scream a little louder, and where careers can change in the blink of an eye.
This January, a select group of grassroots champions and standout rookies will get their first taste of that pressure. The ARCA Menards Series “Road to Daytona” program is set to return during the annual pre-race practice on January 9-10.
This initiative allows drivers from various local and regional series from the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour to the Weekly Series to strap into a heavy stock car and turn laps at the World Center of Racing. It is a massive step up from the bullrings they are used to, and for many, it is the realization of a lifelong dream.
A Golden Opportunity with Hillenburg
The program isn’t just about showing up; it’s about learning from the best. The cars for this test are prepared by the Fast Track High Performance Racing Team, led by 1995 ARCA Menards Series national champion Andy Hillenburg.
Hillenburg knows what it takes to navigate the draft at Daytona, and his team, backed by support from Ilmor, Hoosier Tire, Sunoco, Eibach Springs, and JRI Shocks, provides a safe, competitive environment for these drivers to learn the ropes.
Getting seat time at Daytona is rare. For these drivers, navigating the aerodynamics and the sheer speed of the 2.5-mile tri-oval is a crucial test before they can hope to compete in the season opener in February.
Emotional Triumphs and Rising Stars
The roster for the 2026 program is a fascinating blend of teenage phenoms and seasoned veterans, each bringing a unique story to the garage area. Perhaps the most poignant tale belongs to Robbie Kennealy. At just 19 years old, the Madera, California native captured the ARCA Menards Series West Bounty Rookie of the Year title in 2025.
But it was his victory at All American Speedway that defined his season. Winning from the pole, Kennealy took the checkered flag just a year after the passing of his father, Gary. It was an emotional release and a validation of his talent.
Now, he brings that resilience to the biggest stage in stock car racing. Then there is Isaac Kitzmiller. At only 16, he has already conquered the ARCA Menards Series East, taking the 2025 championship. The son of driver Jason Kitzmiller, Isaac, isn’t riding on his name alone.
He earned his way here with three top-fives and eight top-10s in just eight starts. For a driver not yet old enough to vote, piloting a stock car around Daytona is a massive responsibility, but his track record suggests he is ready for the moment.
Veterans of the Short Tracks
Not every participant is a teenager looking for their big break; some are established winners looking to expand their horizons. Craig Lutz, a 31-year-old from Miller Place, New York, has spent years wrestling high-horsepower Modifieds.
He finished third in the 2025 NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour standings and has been a perennial contender at New Smyrna Speedway during Speedweeks. Moving from a Modified to an ARCA car is a significant adjustment, but Lutz’s car control is undeniable. Similarly, 48-year-old Brad May proves that speed has no age limit.
A multiple-time Super Late Model champion at New Smyrna and the NASCAR Weekly Series Florida State champion, May knows Florida racing inside and out. After scoring seven wins in nine starts to take his 2025 track title, he finally gets his shot at the big track just down the road from his stomping grounds.
The Next Generation of Speed
The roster is rounded out by talent from the Midwest and the South. Kody King, the 18-year-old ASA Midwest Tour Rookie of the Year, brings a background in late models from Iowa. Albert Francis, a 24-year-old from Ohio, carries a deep mechanical understanding of the sport as the son of engine builder Dale Francis.
His win at the Winchester 400 weekend proved he can handle high speeds and high stakes. Meanwhile, Hudson Bulger, fresh off a Rookie of the Year campaign at New Smyrna, represents the ASA Southern Super Series.
Following a Legacy of Success
These drivers are walking a path paved by some of the sport’s current stars. The “Road to Daytona” alumni list reads like a who’s-who of modern stock car racing. Ty Majeski, the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, participated in 2014.
Layne Riggs, a Truck Series contender, took part in 2022. Even Greg Van Alst used this experience to eventually propel himself to an emotional Daytona ARCA 200 victory in 2023. For the class of 2026, the test sessions on January 9-10 are just the beginning. The real show gets underway a month later.
The ARCA Menards Series season officially kicks off at Daytona with practice on Thursday, February 12. Pole Qualifying follows on Friday, February 13, setting the field for the 63rd Annual Daytona ARCA 200 at noon on Saturday, February 14. When the green flag drops on Valentine’s Day, these drivers hope to be more than just participants. They hope to be contenders.
