RECAP/PHOTOS: 2026 ARCA Menards Series General Tire 200 At Daytona International Speedway

by Hunter Thomas February 16, 2026 0 comments

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Gio Ruggiero earned his first-career ARCA Menards Series win on Saturday in the General Tire 200 at Daytona International Speedway.

Ruggiero, who is a regular competitor in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, nearly lost a chance to compete for the win in the closing laps. The race was sent into Overtime after an uneven bump draft from Ruggiero sent Jake Finch sideways and into Gus Dean on the backstretch. The three drivers were battling for the lead at the time of the accident. Ruggiero continued to battle for the win, while Finch had to settle for 20th, and Dean finished 29th.

Ruggiero had command of the race on the final lap. As he entered the backstretch as the leader, Tim Richmond spun, but the race stayed green. Entering the tri-oval for the final time, Daniel Dye stayed behind Ruggiero, and Jake Bolloman attempted to lead a line on the high side but didn’t have the speed. Gio took the checkered flag, marking the first for him and the first for Joe Gibbs Racing in the series at Daytona.

Bolloman held on to finished second, followed by Kole Raz, Dye and Glen Reen. Completing the top-10 was Jack Wood, Jason Kitzmiller, Ryan Vargas, Bobby Earnhardt and Andy Jankowiak.

The ARCA Menards Series will visit Phoenix Raceway on Thursday, March 5 for the General Tire 150. The race will be a combination event with the ARCA Menards Series West. Live coverage will broadcast on FS1 at 6 p.m. ET.

Below are images TheFourthTurn.com’s Mitchell White captured throughout the race in Florida.