Last February, Kitzmiller qualified 24th in his No. 97 Carter Machinery – A.L.L. Construction Chevrolet but survived the early race chaos to produce a career-defining ARCA Menards Series effort, charging to a career-best third-place finish.That podium was one of 14 top-10 finishes the seasoned veteran recorded in his first full-time ARCA campaign, culminating in an impressive third-place result in the championship standings.Adding 20 races to his résumé across a diverse mix of race tracks tested his confidence at times, but the patience and perseverance of his team paid dividends. Kitzmiller closed the season strong, earning eight top-10 finishes in the final 11 races of the year.

Now, with experience and belief firmly on his side, Kitzmiller returns to the World Center of Racing more confident than ever — determined to build on last year’s momentum and perhaps secure a defining victory at a track known for making dreams reality.

“I feel like we learned so much last year, especially in races like Daytona,” said Kitzmiller. “To come from 24th and finish third showed what this team is capable of when we stay patient and execute. We’ve put in the work over the offseason, and I feel more prepared and more confident heading back there this time. Daytona is a place where anything can happen, but if we put ourselves in position at the end, I truly believe we can contend for the win.”

Of course, with 10-time ARCA Menards Series champion Frank Kimmel calling the shots atop the pit box and NASCAR Cup Series championship-winning spotter Tim Fedewa serving as his eyes in the sky, Kitzmiller will have a wealth of experience guiding him when the green flag waves on February 14.

“I’m really fortunate to have someone like Frank calling the shots and Tim up on the spotter’s stand,” said Kitzmiller. “Frank’s experience in this series speaks for itself, and Tim has been in the biggest moments in NASCAR. Having that kind of leadership around me gives our whole team confidence.​ At a place like Daytona, communication is everything. Knowing they’re in my corner makes a huge difference."

This weekend, though, presents a significant opportunity for Kitzmiller. In addition to his responsibilities in the ARCA Menards Series garage, the Petersburg, West Virginia native will attempt to make his NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series debut with the support and guidance of CR7 Motorsports. Kitzmiller is one of 44 entries vying to secure a starting spot in the Truck Series season-opener on Friday, February 13 — meaning not every driver will make the 36-truck field. The additional seat time at Daytona International Speedway could prove invaluable. With laps in both the ARCA and Truck Series vehicles, Kitzmiller has a unique opportunity to further refine his draft timing, race management and situational awareness at one of the sport’s most demanding superspeedways. Should he successfully qualify inside the top-31 positions for the Truck Series event, the experience would not only enhance his race craft but also provide an early-season confidence boost as he balances a full ARCA campaign with aspirations of expanding his NASCAR résumé throughout the 2026 season.

“This is a huge opportunity for me,” said Kitzmiller, who will also pilot the No. 97 Chevrolet in Truck Series competition. “Just having the chance to compete in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series at Daytona is something I don’t take lightly. I’m grateful to my team and everyone at CR7 Motorsports for believing in me and giving me this shot. “At the same time, I feel ready for it. We built a lot of confidence over the past year, and I believe I’m more prepared for this moment than I would’ve been before last season.

“Any extra laps at Daytona are valuable, but the focus is on doing our job, putting the truck in the show Friday night and carrying that momentum into Saturday’s ARCA race.” Knowing a strong finish will help launch his championship campaign on the

right foot, Kitzmiller plans to exercise patience — but when push comes to shove, he knows he must be ready to execute.

“You can’t win this race on the first lap, but you can certainly lose it,” said Kitzmiller. “Daytona is all about putting yourself in position and being there at the end. We’ve talked a lot about staying patient, staying smart and not forcing the issue too early.

“But when the time comes, you have to be ready to make the move. That’s what separates a good day from a great one. Last year was a great one, and I’d like nothing more than to put ourselves back in that position again.”

For the second straight year, Kitzmiller and Co. welcome Carter Machinery, promoting the Caterpillar® (Cat®) brand as the primary partner aboard his No. 97 Chevrolet. Carter Machinery’s humble start began in 1928, serving Virginia and southeastern West Virginia. As our customers’ needs changed over the years, we evolved by continually adding new products, services, and locations, with exponential growth occurring after our 2020 acquisition of Alban Tractor Company. Today, our footprint spans the Mid-Atlantic, with over 30 locations throughout Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, and the District of Columbia. We sell, rent, and support the full line of Cat® equipment, engines, and electric power generation systems, backed by the best parts availability, most diverse rental fleet, and an expert service team working together to enable our customers’ highest level of success. Our ongoing investment in people, infrastructure, technology, and tooling continues to position us as one of Caterpillar’s leading dealers in North America and throughout the world.

“We’re stoked to welcome Carter Machinery back on board for Daytona,” mentioned Kitzmiller. “They are a true testament to the power of business-to-business relationships, excelling from the footprint of job sites to the race track.

“Their commitment to performance and reliability mirrors what we strive for as a race team, and having them alongside us at a place like Daytona means a lot. We’re proud to represent their brand on such a big stage and look forward to delivering a strong run for everyone at Carter.”

In addition to Carter Machinery, A.L.L. Construction Inc., Grant County Mulch, A&J Excavating, Cobra Mining, Champion Power Equipment and Volt Battery Technology will all serve as associate marketing partners for his 48th career ARCA Menards Series start.Since 2020, Kitzmiller has earned two top-five and 22 top-10 finishes in 47 ARCA Menards Series starts, including a career-best third-place effort at Daytona International Speedway in February 2025. has made 47 ARCA Menards Series starts, earning two top-five and 22 top-10 finishes, including a career-best third-place finish at Daytona International Speedway in February 2025.

But before Kitzmiller shifts his full attention to his seventh ARCA Menards Series start at Daytona, he’ll first climb behind the wheel of his No. 97 A.L.L. Construction Chevrolet Silverado on Friday night — an opportunity to make the most of every lap at the World Center of Racing before Saturday’s championship pursuit begins.

The Fresh From Florida 250 (100 laps | 250 miles) is the first of 25 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN® Truck Series races on the 2026 schedule. Practice begins on Thurs., Feb. 12, from 5:00 p.m. to 5:50 p.m. Qualifying is set for race day, Friday, Feb. 13, starting at 3:00 p.m. The field will take the green flag shortly after 7:30 p.m. with live coverage on FOX Sports 1, the NASCAR Racing Network (Radio) and SiriusXM NASCAR Channel 90. 

The General Tire 200 (80 laps | 200 miles) is the first of 20 races on the 2026 ARCA Menards Series schedule. Practice begins Thursday, February 12, from 4:00 p.m. to 4:55 p.m. ET. General Tire group pole qualifying is set for Friday, February 13, at 1:30 p.m. ET. The race is scheduled to take the green flag the following afternoon, shortly after 12:00 p.m. ET. The start of the 74th season of ARCA competition will be televised live on FOX for the second consecutive year, with the Motor Racing Network (MRN) and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 providing radio coverage. ARCARacing.com will stream live timing and scoring throughout the day’s festivities.