NASCAR Truck Series: Tricon Garage Finalizes 2027 Driver Lineup
TALLADEGA, Ala. — Leading NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series team Tricon Garage has finalized their 2027 full-time driver lineup with the additions of Dawson Sutton and Sammy Smith.
The organization did not delay their future plans after their contract extensions from earlier in the week. The return of Gio Ruggiero and current Chase leader Kaden Honeycutt establishes their intent to keep the current core of their team intact.
Now, they mix in the additions of Smith and Sutton to conclude their four driver lineup for the newly renamed NASCAR FedEx Truck Series in 2027.
The New Additions
After four seasons in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Sammy Smith is going to run his rookie campaign in the Truck Series.
The move solidifies his return to the Toyota pipeline and his continued relationship with longtime partners Pilot Flying J and Allstate Peterbilt.
He will drive the No. 15 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro and take over from the outgoing Tanner Gray. He will depart the team after what will be 96 starts with the team since their inception in 2023 and a potential total of 167 series starts overall.
Then, Dawson Sutton is departing his family’s team after Rackley WAR announced their intentions to cease operations following the conclusion of the Love’s RV Stop 225 at Talladega.
“The past two year with Rackley W.A.R. has been a great experience… I don’t have a whole lot to comment on there and this is the final dance so we’re going to try and go out and win,” Sutton said.
With the departure and following shut-down, Sutton will bring over Rackley Roofing and drive their No. 5 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro entry, which had been used as a second all-star entry this season.
Additional crew chief, potential sponsors, and personnel will be named at a later date.
Tricon Garage’s General Manager Kevin Ray has high expectations for the new duo ahead of their 2027 season together.
“They have the racecraft”,”We do expected these guys to go and perform,” Ray commented. “all four of our full-time guys to be going for the championship at Homestead next season.”
The Old Guard
Kaden Honeycutt, the current Truck Series points leader, will return to the seat of the No. 11 Safelite Toyota Tundra TRD Pro.
The Aledo, Texas native has put together a career year in 2026 earning victories at Watkins Glen International, Richmond Raceway, Kansas Speedway and Phoenix Raceway along with 14 top-fives and 17 top-10s as he pursues his first career championship.
Then, Gio Ruggiero will return for his third season behind the wheel of the No. 17 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro.
The 20-year-old earned his first career Chase berth in 2026 and has recorded four top-five and 11 top-10 finishes this season. He sits seventh in the point standings with three races remaining.
“Watching Kaden over the course of the season everyone inside our program has been happy with his development over the year,” Ray beemed. “He has done a very good job on coming into the program and leaning on that experience.”
Ray also confirmed their ambitions for their fifth full-time truck.
The No. 1 truck will return as their rotational all-star truck which will be announced soon. “A couple of new and returning guys,” will be expected for the seat depending on the track and time of year.
What is known from Tanner Gray’s confirmed exit from the team, is his status within the organization for 2027. Currently, the team does not have any open races for him in the all-star truck next season.
At the moment it is unknown what Gray’s personal plans our for 2027.
Ray was asked about his status and declined to comment further on the subject. “We’ll let Tanner say about it himself at a later date.”
MORE:
Discover more from The Racing Experts
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
Ryan Kemna View All
Ryan Kemna is a photojournalist for The Racing Experts, LLC. He has been with TRE since 2025.
Currently residing in the Minneapolis, MN, area, Kemna brings his passion for motorsports, photography, and a good story to readers.