Robert Noaker, a member of the Ford Racing Driver Development Team and a two-time IMSA Mustang Challenge North America champion, will replace Ryan Blaney in tomorrow’s inaugural Ford Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic at Daytona International Speedway.
Blaney announced earlier today he would have to miss the event after suffering a fall Monday night.
Noaker, 22, is a native of Duncannon, PA, and won the inaugural Mustang Challenge championship in 2024 and then dominated the following season as he was statistically perfect, winning every points-paying race, pole position and fastest lap in 2025.
Noaker spent this season piloting the Mustang GT4 full-time for McCumbee McAleer Racing in 2026 and emerged as a frontrunner in the GS class. He captured multiple podium finishes—including WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca, Watkins Glen International and Canadian Tire Motorsport Park (Mosport)—to finish top-three in the competitive GS championship standings.
Noaker will join Formula Drift driver Ben Hobson in one of two Ford Mustang Dark Horse Rs that will carry the colors of the United States Marines.
The Ford Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic will be televised on USA Network from 8-10 p.m. ET and take place on the road course.
The driver lineup and military affiliation follows below:
Army: Brad Keselowski and Joey Hand
Navy: Ryan Preece and Logan Sargeant
Air Force: Austin Cindric and Frankie Muniz
Marines: Ben Hobson and Robert Noaker
Coast Guard: Joey Logano and Ty Majeski
Space Force: Noah Gragson and Layne Riggs