Toyota Driver Thomas Annunziata Wins First ARCA Championship

On September 28, 2026, in Kansas City, Kansas, 21‑year‑old New Jersey native Thomas Annunziata captured his first ARCA Menards Series title by finishing fifth at Kansas Speedway. Driving the No. 70 Toyota Camry for Nitro Motorsports, Annunziata made his full‑time ARCA debut in 2026 and finished the 20‑race season with one victory at Lime Rock Park, 11 top‑five finishes, 18 top‑ten finishes, and an average finish of seventh. The championship marks Nitro Motorsports’ first title in ARCA and is Toyota’s second ARCA title in four years and third in the last six, joining Jesse Love (2023) and Ty Gibbs (2021).

“We’re thrilled to have been a part of Thomas Annunziata and Nitro Motorsports’ first championship in the ARCA Menards Series,” said Paul Doleshal, general manager, sponsorships and motorsports, Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). “This year’s ARCA Menards Series championship was very competitive amongst the Nitro Motorsports teammates, and for Thomas to come out on top shows not only his distinct talents, but also his determination to reach his goals. We look forward to celebrating this terrific moment with Thomas in his young and prospering career.”

Annunziata also debuted in the NASCAR Truck Series at Lime Rock Park, piloting the No. 1 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro for TRICON Garage and starting from the fourth position. Toyota teams won 11 of the 20 races that season, including a four‑in‑a‑row streak from Michigan International Speedway to Elko Speedway; Annunziata’s Lime Rock Park win was the third of that streak. He is the ninth Toyota‑partner driver to capture an ARCA Menards Series championship, following Patrick Sheltra (2010), Justin Lofton (2009), Frank Kimmel (2013), Austin Theriault (2017), Sheldon Creed (2018), Christian Eckes (2019), Ty Gibbs (2021) and Jesse Love (2023).

Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for nearly 70 years and is committed to advancing sustainable, next‑generation mobility through its Toyota and Lexus brands and more than 1,800 dealerships. Toyota directly employs nearly 64,000 people in North America, contributing to the design, engineering, and assembly of over 50 million cars and trucks at its 14 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota’s plant in North Carolina began assembling automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.