The 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series officially kicked off with a wild and crash field race under the lights at Daytona. The yellow flag flew 12 times, a record for the truck series at the track. In the end, 22-year-old Nick Sanchez cruised to victory in overtime while trucks crashed and flipped behind him. The 22-year-old former ARCA series champion recorded his first win in the Craftsman Truck Series.

Twelve wound up being the magic number on the night. Nick Sanchez was involved in a 12-truck crash on lap six of the Fresh from Florida 250. He kept going and put himself in a great position late in the race. During overtime, 12 trucks were involved in the crash on the final lap that led to the caution being thrown securing Sanchez his first career win in just his second truck series season. The Florida native grew up going to races at the Homestead-Miami Speedway and must have been very excited to record his first win in his home state.

Meanwhile, Taylor Gray and Daniel Dye were not as lucky as Sanchez and the others who made it through the final wreck. Dye and Gray collided and Gray’s truck flipped upside down and rolled over several other trucks before resting back on its wheels. Thankfully, no one was seriously injured in the truck series big one at Daytona, despite the fact the track has seen some of the worst crashes in NASCAR history.

Sanchez locked himself into the truck series playoffs.

Fresh from Florida 250 Top 10 Finishers

1. Nick Sanchez
2. Corey Heim
3. Rajah Caruth
4. Bret Holmes
5. Spencer Boyd
6. Stefan Parsons
7. Matt Crafton
8. Timmy Hill
9. Bryan Dauzat
10. Christian Eckes

ARCA 200

Daytona hosted a double header Friday night as officials moved Saturday’s scheduled ARCA 200 due to threats of inclement weather in Central Florida. Crashes and overtime filled the ARCA race that started just before 12 AM Eastern time, just like the truck race. Gus Dean survived the battle of attrition to win the ARCA series opener a little before 2 AM Florida time. The South Carolina native took over the lead from his teammate on the overtime restart and never relinquished it to secure the victory.

ARCA 200 Top 10 Finishers

1. Gus Dean
2. Thomas Annunziata
3. Greg Van Alst
4. Christian Rose
5. Tim Richmond
6. Jason Kitzmiller
7. Gil Linster
8. Alex Clubb
9. Amber Balcaen
10. Andy Jankowiak

Daytona Weekend Continues

The NASCAR Xfinity Series takes center stage Saturday night, if the weather cooperates. The United Rentals 300 is scheduled to start at 5 PM Eastern on FS1. The 2024 NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series season kicks off Sunday with the Daytona 500. Joey Logano and Michael McDowell lead the drivers to the green flag. Coverage begins at 2:30 PM on Fox. Weather may play a factor in one or both races. NASCAR will race any delayed race on Monday as it’s a holiday for Presidents Day.

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