Gio Ruggiero (No. 17) leading the pack during the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 14, 2025. (Photo: Donald Jenney | The Podium Finish)
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — In just his first career NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race, Gio Ruggiero flexed his muscles all night long in the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway.
The 20-year-old rookie led 11 laps en route to a second-place finish, moving up one position after Parker Kligerman was disqualified post-race, handing the win to Tricon Garage teammate Corey Heim.
“It feels good. (I) Was looking for more there,” said Ruggiero. “But it’s Daytona and everybody is trying to win. I had a blast tonight.”
Ruggiero was able to survive the crazy final 10 laps of the Fresh From Florida 250 that saw a multi-truck wreck bring out a caution on the final lap, ending the race before the leaders made it back to the start/finish line.
“Stuff happens quick here. I was leading that pack for a couple laps, and I think five or six to go is when I lost the lead there,” he said. “I knew it was coming, and I knew they were going to have lines forming up and that it was going to get crazy.”
After starting in 34th following problems during qualifying, Ruggiero worked through the field quickly, finishing Stage 1 in 10th place.
Gio Ruggiero (No. 17) crossing the start/finish line as the Fresh From Florida 250 comes to an end. (Photo: Donald Jenney | The Podium Finish)
Ruggiero will be driving full-time in the No. 17 truck for Tricon Garage after running for Venturini Motorsports in both the ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East during the 2024 season.
For Ruggiero, it was the first ever superspeedway-style race in his racing career. Despite the learning curve, he adjusted quickly and learned a lot for next week’s race at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
“This is my first time on a superspeedway in anything, so it was a lot of stuff for me to take in tonight,” Ruggiero said. “Drafting in the pack, side drafting and leading the pack as well, so I definitely learned a lot for Atlanta.”
Gio Ruggiero out front during the Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway. (Photo: Donald Jenney | The Podium Finish)
Teammate and race winner Heim gave the rookie some praise following the race after the two worked together throughout the 100-lap event.
“I feel like the (No.) 17 (Ruggiero) did a great job there at the end to kind of put ourselves in position (for the win),” said Heim. “Huge props to all of my teammates at Tricon Garage, the organization itself. Everyone did a great job.”
The second place run for Ruggiero plus the 10th place finish in Stage 1 gets his rookie season started on the right note, adding momentum heading into Race No. 2 at Atlanta.
“I’m just glad we could hang on and have a strong finish and a good truck there for the end,” said Ruggiero.
