Tricon Garage signs Gio Ruggiero to full-time NASCAR Truck Series deal for 2025

After a successful few years in the late model ranks, 18-year-old Gio Ruggiero is moving on up to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Ruggiero has never made a start in the Truck Series but had success in ARCA this season.

Between his ARCA national races as well as the East and West series races, Gio Ruggiero had a great year. He won at Five Flags Speedway to start the East Series season. He finished P3 on the year behind Connor Zilisch and William Sawalich.

Last year, Ruggiero had the biggest win of his career when he took the checkered flag at the 2023 Winchester 400. Now he’s taking over the No. 17 truck for Tricon Garage.

The next chapter of the No. 17 starts now.

Welcome to TRICON, @Gio_Ruggiero1 🙌 pic.twitter.com/NMEUlfiR8l

— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) December 2, 2024

I really like this signing for Tricon. Toyota definitely sees Ruggiero as a future star. That is if he develops over the next few years. He is 18 years old now and will have a lot of time to turn into a respectable NASCAR driver.

Gio Ruggiero will join Tricon teammate Toni Breidinger as two of the Rookie of the Year candidates. Of course, they will be teamed up with the dominant Corey Heim.

This is a huge opportunity for Ruggiero.

“I am super thankful to have the opportunity to run full-time with TRICON in 2025,” said Ruggiero in a team press release. “I look forward to getting to work with all of the guys on the 17 team and contending for wins this season.”

Gio Ruggiero could surprise in 2025

While Connor Zilisch and William Sawalich stole most of the headlines and ARCA wins this season, Gio Ruggiero was almost always right there. He couldn’t get the best of them besides one time this year, but he showed that he is, as a prospect, just a notch below those two.

Of course, Sawalich and Zilisch are going to the Xfinity Series in 2025. For Ruggiero, things are going a little slower to start his NASCAR national series career.

Tricon Garage has now solidified its full-time driver lineup. Heim, Breidinger, Ruggiero, and Tanner Gray will all race the entirety of the 2025 season. Of course, the No. 1 truck will be reserved as a part-time “all-star” truck of sorts.

Gio Ruggiero is going to go truck racing next season. He will have lofty expectations from his late model career, but he can meet those expectations. Ruggiero will have top equipment to get the results he is looking for. How do you expect him to perform next season?