Cleetus McFarland Out After Six Laps in NASCAR Truck Series Race at Daytona

(Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Cleetus McFarland Out After Six Laps in NASCAR Truck Series Race at Daytona

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Jonathan Howard | Last updated Feb 13, 2026 8:06 PM ET

Tough break for Cleetus McFarland. He took a big hit into the inside wall. His night in the NASCAR Truck Series race is over. One little wiggle, one moment of loose, and that was all it took.

Cleetus McFarland says that he is feeling fine. He got out of the truck under his own power. His Niece Motorsports No. 4 is now heading to the garage.

McFarland qualified very well. He was on the inside lane towards the front when the wreck happened. Big hit, Glad to see he's doing alright.

Cleetus McFarland qualifies at Daytona. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Cleetus McFarland brings out the first caution and cuts the lawn. A hard hit. pic.twitter.com/IOXRBuIUm5
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 14, 2026

With how little experience Cleetus McFarland has at Daytona and especially in the Truck Series, racing where he was might have been ambitious. Perhaps dropping to the rear and getting a feel for things would have been best. Then again, that same incident happens about two or three times a race, if not more. So who's to say?

Early on in this race, Michael McDowell and Carson Hocevar are controlling things pretty well. They have led laps and are pushing to have a solid finish in the stage. Butterbean Queen is holding a steady wheel in the top-10. There is a lot of talent and big names in this race, and everyone is trying to be on their best behavior early on.

A lot of these young drivers have never raced against the level of talent in this race. Tony Stewart, the Spire duo mentioned earlier, John Hunter Nemechek, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Corey LaJoie, Justin Haley - there are very talented racers in this Truck Series race. No one wants to be the one to wreck and ruin the day of one of the big names.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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