If you’re scouring the TV guides or looking for ticket prices for an arca race this weekend, I’ve got some news that might be a bit of a letdown. Honestly, there isn't a race. You won't see cars banging doors for points or a trophy on January 17th or 18th.
It's weird, right? We’re deep into January, the "Road to Daytona" is in full swing, and the hype is building. But the actual season opener—the 63rd Annual Daytona ARCA 200—isn't until Saturday, February 14, 2026.
Basically, we are in the "eye of the storm" period. The massive two-day pre-race practice at Daytona International Speedway just wrapped up last weekend (January 9-10), leaving the garages quiet for a few days while teams head back to North Carolina or the Midwest to tear down their cars and hunt for that last bit of speed.
What happened to the arca race this weekend?
Most fans get confused because this is usually the time when the ARCA Menards Series dominates the headlines with testing news. Last weekend was the real deal for data nerds. We saw 82 drivers and 49 cars hit the high banks of Daytona. That’s the highest participation number since 2012.
👉 See also: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
Gus Dean, driving the No. 25 for Nitro Motorsports, topped the charts with a blistering lap of 48.744 seconds. That's 184.638 mph. If you think that sounds fast, remember they’re doing it in a draft, nose-to-tail, inches apart.
Why does this matter for the arca race this weekend? Because even though there's no live broadcast today, the results from that test are exactly what will determine who shows up with confidence next month. Nitro Motorsports absolutely owned the weekend. They took the top six spots on Friday. If you’re looking for a favorite for the actual race in February, you start with Gus Dean and Gavan Boschele.
The "Road to Daytona" is actually a real thing
A lot of people think "Road to Daytona" is just a marketing slogan. It’s not. It’s a specific program designed to get grassroots champions into big-boy equipment.
✨ Don't miss: Cowboys Score: Why Dallas Just Can't Finish the Job When it Matters
This year, we saw 16-year-old Isaac Kitzmiller, the 2025 ARCA Menards Series East champion, getting his first taste of the 2.5-mile tri-oval. Think about that for a second. A kid who can barely drive to the grocery store alone is hitting 180 mph at Daytona.
Then you’ve got guys like Robbie Kennealy, the West Series Rookie of the Year, and Brad May, the legend from New Smyrna Speedway. They were all out there last week, which is why things are quiet now. The "work" is done for the moment. The "racing" starts in about four weeks.
Surprising details from the garage
One of the coolest stories that surfaced during the recent testing involves a car that’s older than some of the drivers. Garrett Mitchell—you probably know him as Cleetus McFarland on YouTube—was back in the No. 30 Kenetix Ford.
🔗 Read more: Jake Paul Mike Tyson Tattoo: What Most People Get Wrong
This car has serious history. It was originally built by Chip Ganassi Racing in 1999. Sterling Marlin actually drove it in the 2002 Daytona 500. You know, the race where he got out and pulled on his fender under the red flag? Yeah, that car. It’s still turning laps in 2026. Mitchell ended up 7th quickest during the Friday sessions, proving that old steel can still fly if you prep it right.
Looking ahead: When can you actually watch?
Since you’re looking for an arca race this weekend, you should probably mark your calendar for the actual start times so you don't miss the real green flag.
- February 12: Practice begins at Daytona.
- February 13: Pole Qualifying (this is where the tension peaks).
- February 14 (Noon ET): The Daytona ARCA 200.
The race will air on FOX. It’s a doubleheader with the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, serving as the ultimate appetizer for the Daytona 500.
Actionable Next Steps
Since there isn't a live arca race this weekend, here is how you can actually stay ahead of the curve:
- Check the Entry List: Keep an eye on the official ARCA site. Names like Presley Sorah just announced a deal with Fast Track Racing, and more "one-off" entries for Daytona will trickle in this week.
- Rewatch the Test Highlights: Go to the ARCA YouTube channel or FloRacing. Watching the Nitro Motorsports cars draft gives you a huge hint at how the February 14th race will play out.
- Monitor the Weather: It sounds silly this far out, but Daytona in February is notoriously fickle. Teams are already looking at aero packages based on projected temps.
- Follow the YouTube Drivers: If you’re a fan of Cleetus McFarland or Mitch Stapleton (Stapleton42), they usually drop their "behind the scenes" testing vlogs about a week after the event. Those should be hitting your feed right about now.
The 2026 season is going to be a long one—20 races at 19 different tracks—but the wait for that first green flag always feels like an eternity. Hang tight. The real action is just around the corner.