Ryan Blaney withdraws from Daytona veterans race, Robert Noaker steps in
NXTbets Pro | Published On: November 11, 2026
Blaney withdrawal
Ryan Blaney will miss the inaugural Ford Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic at Daytona International Speedway after a fall Monday night forced him out of the event and the related Veterans Day activities. Robert Noaker steps into the opening, giving the Ford-backed exhibition a different look ahead of Wednesday night.
Blaney said on social media that he needed medical attention after the fall and added that he was doing okay. The withdrawal follows a busy stretch for the NASCAR Cup Series driver, who won the season finale last Sunday at Homestead-Miami Speedway. That victory was his fourth win of the season and gave him back-to-back season-finale wins. Even with the latest setback, the story around Blaney remains centered on his recent success and the fact that he will sit out a showcase built around Veterans Day.
The event is tied to Veterans Day activities, which makes Blaney’s absence a change for the lineup. Noaker now moves into that role. The switch keeps the exhibition intact while shifting attention to the replacement driver.
Noaker profile
Noaker brings a strong background to the event. The 22-year-old driver from Pennsylvania is a Ford Racing Driver Development Team member. He won the inaugural IMSA Mustang Challenge North America championship in 2024, then backed it up by sweeping every points-paying race, pole position and fastest lap in 2025 to claim a second straight title.
This season, Noaker raced full-time in Mustang GT4 competition for McCumbee McAleer Racing. He finished top three in the GS standings and added podium finishes at Laguna Seca, Watkins Glen and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park.
At Daytona, Noaker will team with Ben Hobson in one of two Mustang Dark Horse Rs representing the U.S. Marine Corps in the Wednesday night exhibition. The event is scheduled to air on USA Network from 8-10 p.m. ET. For Ford, the move keeps one of its development drivers in the spotlight.
Daytona exhibition
The Daytona exhibition now takes shape around a late change and Noaker’s addition. Blaney’s withdrawal changes the headline name, but the event remains tied to Veterans Day activities and its Ford connection. The venue provides the setting for an exhibition built around replacement, momentum and timing.
For Blaney, the focus shifts after the fall and from missing both the race and the accompanying Veterans Day activities. His recent success still stands out. Missing this exhibition does not change that, but it does take him out of an event that connects competition with Veterans Day recognition.
For Noaker, the opportunity is immediate and specific. He gets a seat in a Ford exhibition alongside Hobson and inside a program that points to both competition and service. The event offers a snapshot of Noaker’s championship success and recent results, along with a new assignment that arrives because Blaney can no longer take part.
