By: Andy DeLay, Staff Writer Date: January 11, 2026

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The air at Daytona International Speedway always feels a little heavier when the name Earnhardt is on the entry list. But this past weekend, the weight of history wasn’t just in the name—it was painted on the sheet metal.

I had the privilege of shadowing Bobby Earnhardt throughout the two-day ARCA Menards Series pre-season test, and while the speed charts tell one story, the garage area told another. On Saturday morning, as the garage doors rolled up, Bobby Dale pulled the cover off a machine that made everyone stop in their tracks.

It wasn’t the familiar black No. 3 Goodwrench scheme we usually see replicated. Instead, Bobby Dale and his Rise Motorsports team unveiled a stunning throwback to the Corvette C5-R his grandfather piloted during the 2001 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Bobby Dale’s livery looked fast, standing still.

“It’s about showing the versatility of what my grandfather did,” Bobby Dale told me as he strapped in. “Everyone knows the Cup cars. But he loved this track in a sports car, too. We wanted to bring that Corvette spirit to the high banks.”

Seeing that car draft in a pack of ARCA machines was a time warp, a blur of yellow cutting through the Florida air. But the test wasn’t just a nostalgia trip; it was a harsh reminder of how biting Daytona can be.

The mood shifted drastically on Day 1 when Amber Balcaen’s test came to a violent halt. A right-front tire let go without warning, sending Balcaen hard into the outside wall. It was a breathless moment—the kind that reminds you these are 3,400-pound missiles. Thankfully, Balcaen walked away, but the car was done for the weekend, a jagged reminder that the transition to the new season has teeth.

Despite the carnage, there was plenty of speed. Isabella Robusto, coming off a stellar Rookie of the Year campaign in 2025, looked unflappable. She clocked a 48.887 on Friday, placing her firmly in the top five alongside veterans like Gus Dean. She’s not just “learning” anymore; she’s hunting.

Fan-favorite Cleetus McFarland was also in the mix. He kept his nose clean and logged laps, continuing to prove he’s serious about his stock car development.

As the haulers packed up Sunday evening, the leaderboard showed speed, but the garage showed the scars of battle. If this test was any indication, the season opener on February 14th isn’t going to be a polite Valentine’s Day date. It’s going to be a brawl.

We’ll see you at the beach.

Image Sourced via Bobby Dale Earnhardt’s Socials