Chandler Smith Steals a Thrilling Four-Wide Victory at Daytona

In a star-studded field that included five full-time Cup drivers, alongside NASCAR Hall of Famer Tony Stewart, extreme sports superstar Travis Pastrana, and YouTube sensation Cleetus McFarland, it was the Truck Series regulars who showcased their talents on a Friday night.

After failing to qualify for Sunday’s Daytona 500, Chandler Smith came to the checkered flag in the truck series in a thrilling four-wide finish to deliver the third Daytona win for the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports F-150 in the past five years.

Glendale’s Michael McDowell was one of two Daytona 500 champions in the Truck field. McDowell led a race-high 20 laps but had to settle for a 24th place finish. McDowell starts 10th in Sunday’s Daytona 500.

Gio Ruggiero finished second just 0.044 seconds behind, while Christian Eckes claimed third, and Majeski and Nemechek were nearly even at the line for fourth and fifth. The race featured a record 32 lead changes among 12 drivers and six cautions totaling 31 laps.

The NASCAR season opener continues Saturday with the ARCA Menards Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. Sunday marks the 68th running of the Daytona 500 with Kyle Busch on the pole.

NASCAR storms back to Arizona with a historic doubleheader with INDYCAR at Phoenix Raceway. Catch all the action from the ARCA Menards Series, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, NTT INDYCAR Seres, and NASCAR Cup Series over four days March 5-8. Get your tickets now at phoenixraceway.com.