ARCA: Robusto leads laps at Daytona, Reimer misses out on top-10 for late technical issue
- RACERS
- 44 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The opening round of the ARCA Menards Series at Daytona certainly showcased what drivers like Isabella Robusto, Taylor Reimer and Alli Owens can do on track, but the end results were eventually marred by technical failures.
The opening round of the ARCA Menards Series at the iconic Daytona 200 could have been a remarkable opportunity for for the female drivers on the grid at the superspeedway curtain-raiser, and while it certainly showcased what drivers like Isabella Robusto, Taylor Reimer - as well as Alli Owens, making her return to racing - can do on track, the end results clearly were not representative of their speed as misfortune struck all female drivers.
With part-time contenders joining full-season campaign drivers, Daytona traditionally offers a genuine shot at breakthrough performances, and 2026 was no exception, even if cruel mechanical luck ultimately denied a headline result.
After establishing herself as one of the standout rookies of 2025, frequently knocking on the door of victory, Isabella Robusto returns for a full 2026 campaign with clear ambitions. She made an immediate statement in qualifying, placing the #55 Toyota for Nitro Motorsports second on the grid, lining up alongside teammate Gus Dean on the front row. It was a strong start to her weekend and a signal from a driver widely regarded as one of the championship favorites.
Taylor Reimer also has what it takes to be one of the highlights of the ARCA season. Reimer already showed glimpses of her talent last year in part time appearances that always saw her finish in the top ten, and once again ran with the leaders at Daytona, despite having faced a tougher qualifying session as she was caught out by her qualifying group draw and had to settle for P24 on the grid in the #77 machine for her superspeedway debut.
Alli Owens, the 37-year-old mother returning to ARCA competitions for the first time since 2010, rolled off from P30; while already a noteworthy comeback story before the green flag even waved, Owens was also definitely not making up the numbers but would show proper speed throughout the race.
Logan Misuraca, who had run strongly at Daytona in the past, on the other hand endured early disappointment by failing to qualify for the race on Friday - also falling victim to the unlucky qualifying group format.
At the green flag, Gus Dean launched cleanly from pole, with Robusto tucked tightly into his slipstream. The Nitro Motorsports duo immediately began working together, breaking slightly clear of the field as the pack quickly formed into a single-file train.
Behind them, Taylor Reimer wasted no time advancing, climbing to P22 within the opening laps, while Owens methodically worked her way up to P25.
Just five laps in, the first caution flew when Timothy Tyrrell spun from sixth place on the back straight. The early neutralization reset the field.
On the lap 9 restart, Robusto lined up on the inside and, with a decisive push from Daniel Dye, surged into the race lead. It marked a historic milestone as she would go on to record the most laps led by a female driver in an ARCA race since 1989.
Meanwhile, Reimer capitalized on the restart as well, advancing to P17, while Owens continued her steady charge, firmly inside the top 25.
Robusto managed the lead with composure, though Daniel Dye remained glued to her rear bumper, repeatedly pushing the #55 Toyota in the draft and occasionally unsettling the car’s balance. Still, she remained in control, heading a tightly packed lead group that began inching away from the midfield.
Reimer’s progress was also relentless. By lap 17, just before the second caution for Wesley Slimp’s spin after a tire failure, she had already reached P14.
Under the caution, Robusto continued to lead ahead of Dye, Ruggiero and Mitchell before opting for a strategic pit stop with her Nitro Motorsports teammates. With fresh tires and fuel, Robusto temporarily rejoined just outside the top ten.
Reimer, staying out during the sequence, vaulted into the top ten. Owens also benefitted from the strategy shuffle as well, climbing as high as P16 during the pit cycle.
Racing resumed on lap 24 with Vargas leading, but Robusto immediately began carving her way forward through the draft, quickly rejoining the top ten and linking up once again with teammate Gus Dean.
A tense moment followed when Robusto was squeezed three-wide in traffic. The #55 Toyota swerved, but she made a superb save, diving to the low line and keeping her race intact. Reimer, running just a few cars behind, also worked her way toward the front.
Owens delivered one of the drives of the race during this phase, climbing from P14 up to seventh on pure pace, in an extraordinary performance on her return outing.
Robusto, however, began fighting a loose condition. Forced to lift to maintain control once again in another close call, she slipped back to P13 and temporarily lost the draft of the leading pack, becoming the head of the second group.
Near the halfway mark, Caleb Costner’s stoppage brought out the third caution, triggering another round of pit stops with 39 laps remaining.
It was under this caution that Robusto’s promising race went sideways; during the pit stop, her car remained stationary for an extended period before being pushed behind the wall. Reports indicated severe vibrations and a likely driveshaft issue.
Her race, one in which she had led prominently and looked a clear contender, was over before the final stage even began. It was another cruel Daytona setback for a driver who had done everything right up to that point.
At mid-race, following the pit cycle, Taylor Reimer was running P10 and Owens P11, both firmly in the mix for a top ten finish on pace. Back to green on lap 46, Reimer demonstrated remarkable racecraft for a superspeedway rookie; running the outside line with confidence, she maintained position in the lead draft before tucking into the low lane to slot in P9. Owens hovered just outside the top ten, her car stable and competitive.
Another caution however flew on lap 53 after Presley Sorah spun, setting up a tense final 20-lap dash.
On the restart, Reimer kept her distinctive purple machine clean and patient, making moves while staying attached to the lead group. Owens also surged again, climbing into ninth and matching the leaders’ pace.
Then disaster struck. Without warning, Owens suffered an engine failure; attempting to stay high and out of the way, oil however spread across the racing surface, she lost control at speed and slammed heavily into the outside wall. The impact was heavy, prompting a red flag with roughly ten laps remaining.
It was a heartbreaking end to what had been an inspirational comeback drive for Owens.
Following the restart with eight laps to go, Reimer found herself in P11, still very much in contention for a season-opening top ten. A brief green-flag run ended when Annunziata was turned around, leading to another caution. Under yellow and with just four laps remaining, Reimer’s car suddenly lost power due to an alternator issue. She rolled to a halt while in striking distance of a superb finish. Pushed to pit road, her race was heartbreakingly over.
The 2026 ARCA opener at Daytona showcased the strength and competitiveness of its female entries. Isabella Robusto led laps, controlled the field, and looked capable of winning before mechanical failure intervened. Alli Owens enjoyed a remarkable comeback performance, running inside the top ten before an engine failure ended her race in dramatic fashion.
Taylor Reimer executed a mature, intelligent superspeedway debut, spending nearly the entire race in the top ten - only to be denied by a late issue.
All three left Daytona without the results their performances deserved. Yet if the season opener proved anything, it is that victory is not a question of if but when.