While it was only a test for the ARCA Menards Series competition, with no points, no money, and no implications on the championship, Nitro Motorsports arguably made a statement at Daytona International Speedway.
It’s fast. Its drivers topped the speed charts during the two-day session on Jan. 9-10. Gus Dean posted the fastest lap, followed by Gavan Boschele in second, Jake Finch in third, and full-time drivers Thomas Annunziata, Isabella Robusto, and Jake Bollman in fourth through sixth, respectively.
As Nitro begins its second full-time season, and first as the flagship for Toyota Racing, it isn’t just growing. It expects to contend for victories at every racetrack. Its racecars have the speed, its team members have the knowledge to succeed, and its drivers have the talent to win.
“It’s something that we’re comfortable doing, and we’re ready to do and excited to do,” Nitro team owner Nick Tucker told Frontstretch during the test at Daytona. “We’ve assembled a great group of people, crew chiefs, and certain support staff, and everyone involved is pulling the rope in the same direction, so we’re ready for it.”
After fielding one full-time entry in 2025, Nitro has expanded, through its acquisition of Venturini Motorsports, to five full-time entries with a sixth car in at least two races.
Bollman will drive the No. 20, Robusto will return to pilot the No. 55, and Annunziata will drive the No. 70. The Nos. 15 and 25 will run full time and the No. 90 will be part time.
The No. 90 will have Wesley Slimp behind the wheel in the season opener at Daytona. That car will then be at Phoenix Raceway, as Nitro will have a full house with two full-time ARCA Menards Series West drivers.
Add in Dean, Finch, Slimp, Jade Avedisian, Sam Corry, Leland Honeyman and all Nitro drivers will be contending for victories.
“We’re going to go every week with the same mentality and we’re going to win the race,” Tucker continued. “With any of our cars, we’re planning to go there to win and that’s our mentality.
“Anybody we’re racing against is us versus them. My philosophy is very centralized on worrying about us and our program and not worrying about others by bringing our best foot forward. Hard work trumps all and that’s just really what we’re focused on. We’re not worried about anybody else; we’re just worried about ourselves.”
Nitro drivers should be considered the championship favorites, and their entries could very well win the owners’ championship too.
Bollman was announced as the pilot of the No. 20 this week. Bollman joins the organization after making 11 starts in ARCA West, accruing one victory. He will have Doug George as his crew chief for the 2026 season. George most recently worked for ThorSport Racing in 2024.
“The No. 20 group should be strong,” Tucker said. “It’s an experienced group that Doug is leading with guys that he has worked with for the last year or so in the Truck Series so they are cohesive already.”
Robusto drove the No. 55 full time for Venturini last year. In 37 ARCA platform starts, she has 17 top fives, 25 top 10s, and a fourth-place points finish in the main series last year en route to Rookie of the Year honors.
This year, she’ll again have Mobil 1 on her Toyota with some Yahoo insignia, too. Robusto is reunited with Glenn Parker, who crew chief-ed drivers champion Andres Perez in ’24 and Lavar Scott last year.
“They’re a strong group,” Tucker added. “They worked together several years ago in late models. Glenn had a strong year last year leading Lavar Scott and we’re excited about that pairing becoming consistent. Run top five every week, then top three every week and finish all the races.”
Annunziata truly caught everyone’s attention when he won the inaugural ARCA race at Lime Rock Park last year. Furthermore, he has a talented No. 70 team.
Shannon Rursch was the architect of many Venturini wins, including Jesse Love’s dominating 2023 championship.
“They have the potential to take the series by storm,” Tucker said. “We’ve reunited the group that was Jesse’s main combo of Shannon with car chief Larry Balsitis. Right, so we’re really excited about that combo getting back together. And Thomas, he’s got a tremendous amount of talent so he’s got a fantastic shot at the title this year.”
When Annunziata is on track, JBL will adorn his Toyota. Avedisian will have Mobil 1 and Yahoo on her racecars. Honeyman brings his own funding, too, though that may have cost him his full-time ride.
The No. 25, which will be primarily driven by Boschele, will have Shane Wilson atop the pit box.
“Shane has a tremendous amount of experience in the sport and brings a ton of positives to our race team,” Tucker added. “Just with how much high-level stuff he has done – 2006 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series championship with Kevin Harvick – and many wins with Brendan Gaughan through the years. We’re excited for what he, Doug and Glenn have brought to the table to complement what Shannon and Danny are doing.”
Boschele will compete in 15 of the 20 main series events. He will not be racing at Daytona, Phoenix, Berlin Raceway, Elko Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.
Tucker also views Boschele as the team’s dirt ringer. After Nitro employed Brent Crews at the two dirt track races in 2025, triumphing at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, Boschele will be the team’s dirt ringer this year.
“Gavan is a multi-time winner on dirt midgets, multi-time sprint car winner, he’s won the Tulsa Shootout so he is a big-time dirt ace,” Tucker noted.
While Nitro will not field a full-time ARCA Menards Series East entry, it will field Boschele and Slimp in the standalone race at Rockingham Speedway.
In addition to its national division program, Nitro will field Julian DaCosta and Mia Lovell full time in ARCA West. Lovell will drive the No. 15 and DaCosta will drive the No. 25.
Venturini team owner Billy Venturini is now the General Manager at Nitro, spearheading its West program.
“Billy will be kind of running the West deal because, I think, there are three or four conflicts where I won’t be able to be at ‘em, so he will be the point man there,” Tucker explained. “Obviously, he has a tremendous amount of experience and he loves the West series.
“I love the West series. My family, being from the West Coast, my uncle Ernie Cope won races in Winston West his rookie year and my cousin Derrike won Rookie of the Year, second in points and many wins in Winston West. Now known as ARCA West, it is very important to me, just watching my uncle and cousin run it as my childhood heroes.”
New drivers, new faces in the race shop, and top dog status for a manufacturer mean there are expectations to succeed immediately.
“We’re super excited,” Tucker said about his outlook for 2026. “Obviously, platforming ourselves here at the test going first through sixth with all our cars shows where our heads are at, what we’re expecting to do for the year, and how we’re approaching things, which is full out with everything. I don’t know if it is a statement, but no nerves. I’ve been at the racetrack since I was four years old, so it’s all I know how to do, it’s all I’ve ever done and we’re excited for the opportunity.”
“Looking forward to fans looking out, viewing our journey as we progress. Our expectations are that we go out, win races this year and I’d be disappointed if we don’t go one-two-three in the driver’s championship. That’s our goal and that’s what we’re going to work to do.”
Mark Kristl joined Frontstretch at the beginning of the 2019 NASCAR season. He is the site's ARCA Menards Series editor. Kristl is also an Eagle Scout and a proud University of Dayton alum.
Ok this all sounds great but why is Taylor Reimer not either part time or full time with Nitro as well ? She is the dark horse here and will put someone in victory lane or being consistent as she showed that last year finishing races
Isn’t she already under contract to run part of the season with PRG?
Yes she
Is but needs more dates