Australian NASCAR Truck Series Round 1 — Daytona Race Report

The opening round of the season at Daytona International Speedway delivered high-intensity pack racing, late-race strategy, and a strong statement performance from ONENINE Racing as drivers Chris Bleakley and Kelvin Clark fought through the draft to open their campaign.

Bleakley Charges Forward

Starting deep in the field from P21, Bleakley wasted no time carving through the pack. Staying patient in the early laps while avoiding the typical Daytona chaos, he methodically worked his way into contention. By the end of Stage 1, he had climbed to P16, positioning himself perfectly for a run at the front.

Stage 2 saw his charge truly come alive. With sharp drafting moves and well-timed runs, Bleakley surged into the lead pack and crossed the stage line in an impressive P2. In the final stint, survival and positioning became the priority as the field grew increasingly aggressive. Keeping his truck clean and capitalizing on late opportunities, he secured a strong P6 finish — a result that sets a confident tone for the season ahead.

Clark’s Recovery Drive

Clark faced a much tougher starting point, rolling off from P39. Undeterred, he settled into a rhythm and focused on steady progression. By the end of Stage 1, he had gained significant ground to P23, showcasing smart racecraft and draft awareness.

Stage 2 proved more challenging as the mid-pack battles intensified, and he slipped slightly to P30. Refusing to back down, Clark regrouped for the final stage and continued to push forward through the closing laps. His persistence paid off with a P25 finish, a solid recovery result after starting near the rear.

Team Takeaway

Round 1 demonstrated both pace and resilience from ONENINE Racing. Bleakley’s near-front performance highlights the team’s competitiveness in the draft, while Clark’s climb through the field underscores their depth and consistency. With points on the board and momentum building, the team leaves Daytona well-positioned for the rounds ahead.

Championship Standings

Chris Bleakley 4th 40 Points
Kelvin Clark 2oth 13 Points

Next Stop

Round 2 takes us to Echo Park Speedway in Atlanta. Another Superspeedway style track. the #22 of Chris Bleakley won’t be in attendance as he will be enjoying a nice holiday. The #777 of Kelvin Clark will be racing as always, as well as potentially 2 additional trucks with the #97 Brayden Sagassar and #096 Lachlan Purvis pending licensing approvals.