Ricky Stenhouse Jr. sits down for an exclusive interview with NASCAR Roundtable’s Tyler Jones, ahead of Sunday’s Daytona 500
As NASCAR's biggest spectacle approaches, Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is laser-focused on adding another legendary chapter to his career by capturing a second Daytona 500 victory.
The 2023 winner of the prestigious Harley Earl Trophy, Stenhouse enters the 2026 edition of the Great American Race with renewed determination and optimism. In an exclusive interview with NASCAR Roundtable, the driver of the No. 47 Chevrolet for Hyak Motorsports shared insights into his mindset, team dynamics, and expectations for the season ahead.
Stenhouse has called the No. 47 car home since 2020, but 2026 marks his second full year under the Hyak Motorsports banner. The team, previously known as JTG Daugherty Racing, underwent a significant transition when primary owners Tad and Jodi Geschickter sold it to entrepreneur Gordon Smith, who became the principal owner and rebranded the operation prior to the 2025 campaign.
Despite the leadership change, Stenhouse emphasizes that the core racing program has remained remarkably stable. "They’ve done a really good job at keeping things pretty consistent," he noted. "The competition side in the shop hasn’t changed at all."
This continuity has allowed the team to build momentum without major disruptions, even as one of the few single-car entries in a sport increasingly dominated by multi-car powerhouses.
Heading into Daytona, Stenhouse expresses strong confidence in his equipment. "Our team at Hyak Motorsports always gives me a great racecar," he said.
"Getting down there, getting things rolling—a huge feather in your cap when you can start the season with a Daytona 500 win." He views the superspeedway as a unique equalizer in NASCAR, where raw horsepower and big budgets matter less than at traditional ovals.
"The speed in the cars is less relevant," Stenhouse explained. "The handling of the cars is important, but less important than when you go to a place like Charlotte." Drafting, pack racing, and strategic positioning often decide the outcome at Daytona, giving smaller teams like Hyak a legitimate shot at glory against the likes of Hendrick, Gibbs, and Penske.
Competing as a single-car team comes with inherent challenges—fewer resources for testing, simulation data, and shared information compared to larger organizations. Yet Stenhouse embraces the underdog role wholeheartedly.
"It is really satisfying and rewarding when we can go out and compete and run really well," he said. He pointed out that the garage respects the progress Hyak has made.
"Your competitors and the guys inside the garage understand what we’re doing at Hyak Motorsports. They see what improvements we’re making week-in and week-out and year-to-year."
Recent sponsorship announcements, including multi-race deals with brands like Chef Boyardee and Ōnin Staffing, underscore the team's growing stability and appeal, providing vital support for the No. 47 program.
Beyond Daytona, Stenhouse is enthusiastic about several rule changes and new events shaping the 2026 season. NASCAR's decision to boost horsepower to 750 at road courses and ovals under 1.5 miles promises more exciting racing at tracks where drivers have long called for better performance. Stenhouse highlighted his excitement for this adjustment, believing it will enhance competition and driver feel.
He’s also looking forward to the inaugural San Diego Street Course race over Father’s Day Weekend, June 19–21, 2026, at Naval Base Coronado. This unique military-base street circuit—marking NASCAR's return to Southern California with a challenging 16-turn, 3.4-mile layout—adds a fresh twist to the schedule and celebrates the U.S. Navy's 250th anniversary.
For the full 2026 campaign, Stenhouse sets realistic yet ambitious goals for Hyak Motorsports. Consistency remains key for a single-car outfit aiming to contend regularly.
"If we could get another win at some point in the season, that would be huge for our team," he stated. "If we could just contend for a while to make the postseason, that would be huge."
Building on his superspeedway prowess—highlighted by the 2023 Daytona triumph—Stenhouse aims to translate that success into broader results while continuing to elevate a team that's punching above its weight.
With the green flag set to drop on NASCAR's crown jewel event, all eyes will be on Stenhouse as he chases history once more.
In a sport defined by speed, strategy, and resilience, his blend of experience, team loyalty, and hunger positions him as a serious threat to repeat as Daytona 500 champion.