NASCAR Truck Series race at Daytona was series' most-watched race since 2016

The Feb. 13 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway featured plenty of big names, and TV viewership reflected it. 

Per Fox Sports, the Fresh From Florida 250 averaged 1.387 million viewers on FS1, a 37 percent increase from 2025, and peaked at 1.604 million viewers in the race's closing laps. It was the most-watched Truck Series race since 2016. 

Big names led to big viewership

Any race at Daytona is usually going to draw a bigger audience, especially a season opener. But the race also featured plenty of big names, including NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, social media star Cleetus McFarland, X-Games gold medalist Travis Pastrana and 2023 Daytona 500 champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr., among others. 

The big viewership numbers are a major positive for the Truck Series as it opens a new season. Weather permitting, the second race of the 2026 Truck Series season will take place at EchoPark Speedway on Saturday, with coverage on FS1.