NASCAR
Who Were the First-Time Craftsman Truck Series Winners in 2026?
The Craftsman Truck Series’ list of winners grew by three names in 2026, now totaling 130 drivers over 32 years. Three new faces in victory lane is the smallest amount in any NASCAR National Series this year. Perhaps no group is more poised for future success, however, than these three Truckers. Combining for seven wins across the entire season, here are the latest Truck Series talents to capture a checkered flag. Each ending 2026 in very unique situations, 2027 could see new ceilings for all three of these youthful, exuberant stars.
Kaden Honeycutt
The eighth start for this pairing together proved to be the first magical moment, taking the checkers at Watkins Glen. With this win, Honeycutt also took over the points lead for the first time. Watkins Glen weekend alone could be seen as a 2026 high point for the Texas driver. Honeycutt took four wins in three days between ARCA, Trucks, and both CARS Tour races at Ace (N.C.) Speedway.
Toyota No. 11 would find victory lane once more in the regular season, closing out a dominant day at Richmond. Ranked second to start The Chase, many already called it a two-truck title fight between Honeycutt and Layne Riggs. These two would be the players in the battle up front at Kansas. Late damage sidelined Riggs and gave Honeycutt a third checkered flag. This costly error for Riggs also put Honeycutt atop the standings again at a very pivotal point in The Chase.
Phoenix a few weeks later was the same song, different verse between the two title favorites. Riggs’ 34 was fast early, only to give way to Honeycutt’s 11 late. With a fourth win on the year, Honeycutt headed into the final three races with a 39-point lead.
Talladega and Martinsville were both survival races for the No. 11, finishing fifth and 14th respectively. Going into the Homestead finale, Honeycutt held top spot in the championship by 20 points over Riggs. Thanks to a very early tire issue on the No. 34, Honeycutt all but clinched the title in Stage 1. This allowed team No. 11 to race carefree the rest of the night. They eventually found the front on the last restart. Gaining the lead here, Honeycutt never looked back. The 23-year-old then set sail for a fifth win of the season and a maiden NASCAR title.
Poised for even higher highs in 2027, Kaden Honeycutt will now be the Truck Series’ targeted man. TRICON Garage’s No. 11 team led by three-time championship crew chief Scott Zipadelli will be chasing their fourth title together. Coming off back-to-back winning seasons, they now eye an unprecedented three-peat performance. For three years now, the No. 11’s been nearly unbeatable week in and week out in the Truck Series. There’s little reason to expect any change there in the new year, as Honeycutt’s confidence will only be higher.
Kaden Honeycutt’s No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra on the grid at Talladega Superspeedway before the Love’s RV Stop 225 on Friday, October 23, 2026. Photo by Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Jake Garcia
A past Playoff participant, Jake Garcia narrowly missed the 10-driver cut for this year’s Truck Series Chase. Despite not making the title dance, Bristol’s opening Chase race would be Garcia’s coming out party. A very volatile night for all championship contenders at Thunder Valley paved the way forward for Garcia’s No. 98 Ford. Garcia took the checkers for his maiden win in his 94th career start. This also marked ThorSport Racing’s first Truck Series victory since 2024.
Not long after his career high point at Bristol, Garcia was announced to join Front Row Motorsports. 2027 will see the Truck Series regular take over the No. 38 Ford. Chandler Smith won with this team three times in 2026, finishing third in points. Pairing up with regular season champion Layne Riggs, FRM should see another stout lineup in the new year. Past the glass ceiling of a first trip to victory lane, Garcia should be a regular contender here.
Jake Garcia’s No. 98 Quanta Ford F-150 on the grid at Talladega Superspeedway before the Love’s RV Stop 225 on Friday, October 23, 2026. Photo by Peter Stratta/TSJSports
Sammy Smith
Less than a month ago at Talladega, Sammy Smith quietly saw a career-defining weekend. The highlights started off with the Iowa native announcing 2027 plans. He will move from the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series to Truck Series competition with TRICON Garage. Making a start later that day in the Spire Motorsports No. 7, Smith took his first-ever Truck win. Victory lane welcomed Smith in only his 11th career start against a star-studded field. Smith took command on the last lap thanks to a push from teammate Austin Green. Saturday saw Smith keep his winning ways alive, doubling up his trophies by taking another clutch O’Reilly Chase victory.
Now joining the two-time championship-winning Truck Series team, Smith should not be overlooked as a 2027 Chase threat. Owning five years of O’Reilly racing history, this experience trumps many rivals who Smith will face next season. Having three Talladega triumphs between Trucks and O’Reilly, Toyota No. 15 should be deft in February’s draft at Daytona.
Sammy Smith’s No. 7 Spectrum Chevrolet Silverado on the grid at Talladega Superspeedway before winning the Love’s RV Stop 225 on Friday, October 23, 2026. Photo by Peter Stratta/TSJSports
The Craftsman Truck Series’ three new winners from 2026 represented three different teams, three manufacturers, and three unique paths to victory lane. All of them are coming back to the rebranded FedEx Freight Truck Series in 2027. Each will look to find more success, chasing more glory and checkered flags. All three of these drivers could easily stamp their names in record books again next season. The new year brings with it a clean sheet for all teams. Stay tuned for similar look back stories from the 2026 O’Reilly and Cup Series campaigns. Both of their 2026 lineups saw new winners aplenty too.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credits to Jonathan Bachman and Sean Gardner/Getty Images
