Toyota development driver delivers standout drive to P3 in the No. 70 Nitro Motorsports JBL Toyota Camry

PHOENIX, AZ — March 5, 2026 — Rising American race car driver Thomas Annunziata delivered an impressive bounce-back performance at Phoenix Raceway, securing his first podium finish of the 2026 ARCA Menards Series season with a third-place result in the No. 70 Nitro Motorsports Toyota Racing JBL Camry.

The result marked an important early-season milestone for Annunziata and the Nitro Motorsports team, as the young Toyota development driver rebounded from an unfortunate incident in the season-opening race at Daytona.

“Phoenix was a great opportunity for us to bounce back after Daytona,” said Annunziata. “The entire Nitro Motorsports team did an incredible job preparing the car, and I’m really proud of the effort everyone put in to give us a shot at the podium.”

Annunziata showed strong pace from the start of the weekend. During qualifying earlier in the day, he secured P5 on the grid, placing the No. 70 JBL Toyota on the third row. His lap was just 0.205 seconds off pole position, highlighting his impressive one-lap speed and continued reputation as a strong qualifier.

The main event unfolded Thursday evening as the ARCA Menards Series thundered through the Sonoran Desert sunset at Phoenix Raceway. The race featured multiple caution periods due to on-track incidents, but Annunziata consistently maintained pace with the front-running group.

Through a series of clean, calculated battles with several competitors, he advanced into third position, positioning himself firmly in podium contention.

Late in the race, Annunziata began closing rapidly on the driver in second place, nearly reaching the bumper of the car ahead as he looked to mount a final push toward the front.

However, a wreck further back in the field triggered a caution flag on the final lap, freezing the field and preventing Annunziata from making one last charge for the lead.

The result secured a well-earned P3 finish and marked a strong early-season statement from the young driver and his Nitro Motorsports team.

“I’m incredibly grateful to the Nitro Motorsports crew for their preparation and hard work, and to our partners who continue to support what we’re building,” Annunziata added. “Having the backing of Toyota and JBL means a lot, and we’re excited about the momentum we’re building this season.”

Annunziata enters the 2026 season as one of the emerging names in American stock car racing. In addition to his on-track performance, he has built a rapidly growing digital audience of more than 250,000 followers across social platforms, generating over 2.2 million monthly video views.

He is also represented by Wilhelmina Models, highlighting his crossover appeal across sport, fashion, and lifestyle culture.

With momentum now on his side, Annunziata and the Nitro Motorsports team will look to build on their Phoenix performance when the ARCA Menards Series returns to action at Kansas Speedway on April 18, 2026.

“We’re just getting started,” Annunziata said. “This podium gives our entire team confidence, and we’re focused on continuing to push forward and fight for wins this season.”

About Thomas Annunziata

Thomas Annunziata is a rising American race car driver competing in the ARCA Menards Series as part of the Toyota driver development program. Known for his speed, discipline, and connection with fans, Annunziata has built a rapidly expanding digital audience of more than 250,000 followers and over 2.2 million monthly video views across social platforms. He is represented by Wilhelmina Models, reflecting his growing cultural relevance beyond the racetrack.

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