Rise and shine: The 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season is upon us. With a new-look driver field, fresh tracks on the schedule and a different postseason format, the 2026 campaign should be an exciting one from start to finish.
So how does the field shake out heading into the season opener on Feb. 13 at Daytona International Speedway (7:30 p.m. ET, FS1, NASCAR Racing Network Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)? Great question — NASCAR.com’s John Crane ranks the top 10 drivers ahead of the new season.
Advertisement
RELATED: 2026 Craftsman Truck Series schedule
Layne Riggs poses for a photo.
1. Layne Riggs, No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Analysis: After Riggs just missed out on a chance at the 2025 title (he finished fifth in the final standings), year No. 3 in the Truck Series will look to be the season when the 23-year-old North Carolina native takes off. Riggs enters the season as the returning full-time driver with the most 2025 wins (three), and with a fresh extension in tow, there’s an opportunity for redemption … and perhaps a championship crown.
Ty Majeski poses for a photo.
2. Ty Majeski, No. 88 ThorSport Racing Ford
Analysis: As the 2025 title runner-up, Majeski, too, is looking for a redemption of sorts, and not solely because he couldn’t defend his crown. After all, the 2024 Truck Series champion went winless in 2025, and while his 9.8 average finish was a career best, his 199 laps led were a career low compared to his three other full-time campaigns. Majeski’s consistency, paired with the new postseason format, should bring plenty of intrigue, but even still, a trip or two to Victory Lane would certainly be preferable, especially doing so during his inaugural campaign in ThorSport’s flagship No. 88.
Christian Eckes poses for a photo.
3. Christian Eckes, No. 91 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
Analysis: Following a full-time stint with Kaulig Racing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2025, Eckes returns to the full-time ranks of McAnally-Hilgemann Racing, where, from 2023-24, Eckes frequented Victory Lane. Consider this: Eckes’ nine Truck wins since 2021 rank second in the circuit during that span (Corey Heim, 23). In other words, Eckes’ immediate P3 placement in this ranking installment is warranted, and he should certainly return to championship contention in 2026.
Kaden Honeycutt smiles.
4. Kaden Honeycutt, No. 11 Tricon Garage Toyota
Analysis: Competing for three different teams and two different manufacturers in 2025 culminated with the 22-year-old Honeycutt finishing third in the championship standings. His most success came in the No. 52 Halmar Friesen Racing Toyota, which Honeycutt raced over the final eight contests of the campaign in place of injured Stewart Friesen. Enter 2026, where Honeycutt will have peace of mind in racing for only one team … and perhaps the team with the most pedigree. Honeycutt takes over the same machine Corey Heim wheeled to 12 victories — not to mention the 2025 title — and the upside is gigantic for the Texan.
Chandler Smith smiles.
5. Chandler Smith, No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford
Analysis: In what was his first full-time Truck Series season since 2022, Smith’s 2025 had plenty of highs and lows, starting the year off by finishing no worse than 17th over the first 10 races with two victories in that span (Bristol, North Wilkesboro). The final 15 races of the campaign didn’t bring the same success, but even still, an eighth-place finish in the final standings provides a sturdy building block going into Year 2 with the team.
Tyler Ankrum looks on.
6. Tyler Ankrum, No. 18 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
Analysis: Ankrum achieved two milestones in 2025. He first snapped a 130-race winless drought via his Rockingham Speedway victory in April. Second, he utilized that victory to a playoff berth and eventual Championship 4 appearance, finishing fourth in the final standings. Continuing momentum from a steady finish in 2025 — finishing no worse than 20th over the final 11 races — will be critical. Finding Victory Lane again will, too.
Justin Haley looks on.
7. Justin Haley, No. 16 Kaulig Racing Ram
Analysis: Ram officially enters the NASCAR racing fold once again, and Haley will be tasked to help give the manufacturer a steady foot week in and week out as it gets re-accustomed to the full-season grind. Haley is the perfect flagship driver for the operation; he comes over from the Cup Series and has won in all three national circuits. The cherry on top? Though Haley’s last full-time Truck season came in 2018, he won three races and finished third in the final standings that year. Ram could find its footing quickly.
Gio Ruggiero looks on.
8. Giovanni Ruggiero, No. 17 Tricon Garage Toyota
Analysis: Though he missed out on the 2025 postseason, Ruggiero’s inaugural season proved fruitful, winning at Talladega Superspeedway in October and claiming Sunoco Rookie of the Year honors. The 19-year-old enters 2026 with plenty of optimism, and by returning to the No. 17 Tricon Garage Toyota, the familiarity is there, too. Combine that with his capability at different track venues (Ruggiero tallied top 10s at superspeedways, intermediates, short tracks and road courses) and the sky could be the limit.
Daniel Hemric poses for a photo.
9. Daniel Hemric, No. 19 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing Chevrolet
Analysis: There were plenty of ups and downs for Hemric in his return to full-time Truck Series racing for the first time since 2016. He won at Martinsville Speedway for his first career Truck Series triumph and made the postseason. But on the other hand, he bowed out in the Round of 8 and finished the final three races of the season with results of 34th (Talladega), 31st (Martinsville) and 33rd (Phoenix). In other words, there are things to improve upon for Hemric in his second year with the organization.
Grant Enfinger poses for a photo.
10. Grant Enfinger, No. 9 CR7 Motorsports Chevrolet
Analysis: Enfinger has been a mark of consistency in Trucks over the years, with finishes of seventh or higher in the final standings in seven of the last eight seasons. Last year, however, was his first winless season since 2021. While the top-five and top-10 totals were still stout (seven top fives and 14 top 10s), his 12.2 average finish was also the lowest since 2021 (12.4). Round it all up, you have a driver who will likely still be in the hunt, but questions still remain.
