: The Black Cat Auto Club Mystery Thats NASCARs Latest Animal Encounter, Reel Racing: The Evolution of Motorsports Films Across Disciplines, NASCAR Announces New Rules Package for Short Tracks, Road Courses, Dropping the Hammer: NASCARs Days of Future Past. How Larson took the long way round to NASCAR Cup glory, Why Bubba Wallaces Talladega win is such a big moment for NASCAR, Why Wallaces win is huge for NASCAR How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022, Logano didnt brake check anyone in Fontana NASCAR Cup restart chaos, Logano denies blame in restart chaos Chandler Michael Smith Sr. (born June 26, 2002) is an American professional stock car racing driver. The other two are set to qualify via their results in the Bluegreen Vacations Duels, which are set to be broadcast live on Fox Sports 1 beginning at 7:00 p.m. Fought a really tough truck. One caveat: NASCARs Trucks regular-season points leader has not won the season championship in each of the past four years. "Then, when (Bell) got to me, I saw (Ryan) Blaney was behind me. The run to the championship opens Friday at Indianapolis Raceway Park. He's not a huge name in NASCAR just yet, but Chandler Smith is working his way through the ranks. Smith held off reigning Truck Series champion Ben Rhodes and Chandler Smith in a two-lap overtime sprint Friday night to win at Phoenix Raceway and at last win the series title. A bad week or the dark horse from F1 testing? Tanner Gray was later scored as fifth after Zane Smith was disqualified in post-race inspection. 38 Ford, are all locked into the 65th annual running of the Great American Race, but the non-chartered entries, of which there are six, are not, as the field is capped at 40 cars. We will be strategic as what races we select to enter. All picks and predictions are suggestions only. One of English soccers biggest rivalries resumes at Anfield with the tables turned, Lance Stroll is set to drive for Aston Martin at the Bahrain Grand Prix this week after missing preseason testing due to a wrist injury. One caveat: NASCARs Trucks regular-season points leader has not won the season championship in each of the past four years. Zane Smith ended up eighth and the top-finishing non-chartered team, which locks him into Sundays Daytona 500 field. Can the 58-year-old Bodine really go out this way? LONG POND, Pa. (AP) Zane Smith clinched the regular season NASCAR Truck Series championship and Chandler Smith took the checkered flag Saturday at Pocono Raceway. If it werent for those pesky pit strategy calls during the middle of the event, the team would have likely swept the stage wins as well. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. LONG POND, Pa. (AP) Zane Smith clinched the regular season NASCAR Truck Series championship and Chandler Smith took the checkered flag Saturday at Pocono Raceway. Ive been here before. Nemechek was caught up in a crash with one lap to go and finished 26th. Who Will Shine in the 2023 ARCA West Season? With 25 laps to go, Logano maintained a small advantage over Harvick, followed by Blaney and Buescher. Todd Bodine slammed the wall early in his 800th career NASCAR start and the final scheduled one of his career. Nine cars hit pit road on Lap 22 to make their green-flag pit stop. While Im 100 percent focused now on the Truck Series playoffs and racing to win a championship for our partners, Im excited for what the future holds next season as I get the opportunity to also compete at the next level and continue to grow as a race car driver.. "We certainly have momentum on or side winning two of the last three," Majeski said. Rhodes, Majeski's ThorSport Racing teammate, made the cut Saturday by just one point over Stewart Friesen. Michael Dunlop announces Isle of Man TT 2023 plans, UK MPs express "grave concerns" over FIA and F1 role in "sportswashing", UK MPs express "grave concerns" over FIA and F1 role in "sportswashing" Chandler Smith is just 20 years old and has never made it to the starting grid of a Cup Series race. We will announce those races later once the 2023 schedules are announced. Chandler Smith 4.750. Replay: Todd Bodine goes around in Vegas. Sportscastings John Moriello does a mailbag column each Friday. The run to the championship opens Friday at Indianapolis Raceway Park. However, Busch rallied back to battle his former employee and had a run for the lead spot on the bottom. This is part of the game.. Ty Majeski, Rhodes, and Friesen finish the top five. I guess we are making up for a relatively clean Daytona. However, the Bob Jenkins-owned team plan to enter three cars for the 200-lap race around the four-turn, 2.5-mile (4.023-kilometer) high-banked Daytona Beach, Florida oval. Zane Smith restarted with the advantage over Chandler Smith on the final restart and with two laps to go, had him cleared on the backstretch. On Lap 31, the rest of the field pit with Logano the first off and moved into the lead. The other two spots would be decided through the twin duels on Thursday. A two-time Truck Series champion, Bodine ran a limited schedule the past few seasons. Las Vegas . https://t.co/9KhKU1Sokz pic.twitter.com/8UNIUXHZIv. "Racing is the best medicine" for NASCAR's Max Gutierrez, NASCAR issues new Cup rules package for road courses, short tracks, NASCAR announces new rules package NASCAR issues new Cup rules package for road courses, short tracks, How NASCAR is gearing up for its "biggest change" in 2022, How NASCAR is preparing for 2022 car 67 23XI Racing Toyota, and Jimmie Johnsons No. ET on Sunday, February 19. Can someone explain what the violation was? LONG POND, Pa. (AP) Zane Smith clinched the regular season NASCAR Truck Series championship and Chandler Smith took the checkered flag Saturday at Pocono Raceway. 38 Ford team continues opening the 2022 season with another impressive run. AVONDALE, Ariz. (AP) It took overtime in his third attempt for Zane Smith to finally win a NASCAR championship. He made 241 career Cup starts, 333 in the second-tier Xfinity Series, and Saturday marked his 226th in the Truck Series. John Hunter Nemechek 1.500. 2023 Minute Media - All Rights Reserved. Smith has one race of Cup Series experience to his name, having replacing Chris Buescher behind the wheel of the No. I said, 'That's my buddy. He made his NASCAR debut in a Busch Series race (now Xfinity) and finished 27th on Sept. 21, 1986, at Martinsville Speedway. They say Zane Smith was DQd due to a lug nut violation. The execution of this race is everything because you know most likely there won't be a caution so you've got to do a good job on pit road, cycle yourself to the front," Logano said. If we had practice, wed be able to identify a problem and fix it before qualifying.. 13 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 for Kaulig Racing. "Heck, maybe I'll have to make 801," he said. It has since been revealed that Smith is set to share the chartered No. Chandler Smith won his second race of the season driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports and is one of only two drivers in the playoff field with multiple wins this season. A two-time Truck Series champion, Bodine ran a limited schedule the past few seasons. Smith . Unfortunately, his second-place finish would not stand. LONG POND, Pa. -- Zane Smith clinched the regular-season NASCAR Truck Series championship and Chandler Smith took the checkered flag Saturday at Pocono Raceway. Dalton Hopkins began writing for Frontstretch in April 2021. Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. 40. The finale will be on Nov. 4 in Avondale, Arizona. Majeski, Crafton, Rhodes and Eckes all drive for ThorSport Racing. Thanks to a few late-race cautions involving many front-running trucks, Bodine had found himself pack on the lead lap by the end of the race and was able to rally to a 22nd-place finish. "I can't really say who the favorite is and who isn't, but I really like my chances going to Phoenix.". 18+, UK residents only, T&Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly. By the end of the night, all three had led a total of 96 out of 134 laps in the 200-mile event. Are PSG better off without Neymar in big games? How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style, Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season, Six key themes to follow in 2022 Despite a rough night, Carson Hocevar runs seventh with Austin Wayne Self and Matt Crafton completing the top nine. He led 49 of 60 laps on the 2-mile tri-oval track. This is part of the game.. "I just didn't know it was gonna be that tough.". The run to the championship opens Friday at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Its definitely not how we wanted this to go, he said. With drivers like Chandler Smith and Travis Pastrana having no superspeedway experience in a Next Gen car, that was especially burdensome for the newbies. EyesonXfinity:Has John Hunter Nemecheks Trophy Hunting Paid Off? Coverage for the Fr8Auctions 200 Saturday, March 19 at 2:30 p.m. Its definitely not how we wanted this to go, he said. Hes not a huge name in NASCAR just yet, but Chandler Smith is working his way through the ranks. Chandler Smith won his second race of the season driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports and is one of only two drivers in the playoff field with multiple wins this season. Even Cup Series rookies Ty Gibbs and Noah Gragson logged a combined 33 Cup Series starts a year ago. Logano grabbed control of the race following his green-flag pit stop on Lap 31 of 60 and held off a last-lap charge by Christopher Bell to claim the win by 0.018 seconds. Im glad were on to the playoffs and ready to get this season started.. 17 Ford at RFK Racing at World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway when Buescher was sidelined due to COVID-19 protocols. This is part of the game.". "I feel like we've been one of the four strongest trucks throughout the back half of this season," Majeski said. Crafton will race for a fourth series championship. Three or more missing (or not tightened to the wheel) lug nuts is a DQ per 2019 rule update. Chandler Smith, attempting to make his Cup Series debut with Kaulig Racing, failed to make the field. In addition to his No. At the halfway mark, Blaney remained out front followed by Wallace and Logano but more than half the field still had to make a pit stop. Chandler Smith darted quickly to the bottom and took the lead from the FRM driver while entering turn 3, and that was all she wrote. "Just a great job by the Shell-Pennzoil team. The 19-year-old crossed over using the momentum he had gathered by using the same top lane his truck owner had attempted to use. It was a battle of Smiths to the checkered, with Chandler Smith winning it for KBM as team owner Busch finished third. This is not where you want to be.' Fought a really tough truck. After winning seven ARCA Menards Series races in 2019-20, Smith landed a full-time truck series ride with Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2021 and won twice, including the Championship 4 in Phoenix though he wasnt in title contention. I've got to stick with him.' Zane Smith was the Truck Series runner-up in each of the past two seasons and hoped his success -- he has three wins -- over the first 16 races can better position him to win his first championship. . It was a return almost a decade in the making. I knew I only had to get a couple of points, to clinch, Smith said. He finished last in 36th place at Pocono. Copyright The Intelligencer | https://www.theintelligencer.net | 1500 Main Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 | 304-233-0100. Can the Lions fix their defense? 16 Chevrolet Camaro for Kaulig Racing and part-time in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving the No. Im glad were on to the playoffs and ready to get this season started.. Not many expected Bodine to be competing for the win in his first race of the year, but Friday night was meant to be a great opportunity for the veteran to shake off the rust accumulated over the course of almost nine years. By Lap 15, Bowman, who bailed out of the lead draft early-on, had fallen about a half-lap behind the field, electing to stay out of trouble and preserve his starting position in Sundays 500. 62 for Halmar Friesen Racing a team owned and driven by Friesen on his quest to make 800 career NASCAR starts. Todd Bodine slammed the wall early in his 800th career NASCAR start and the final scheduled one of his career. 16 Chevy in the 2023 Xfinity Series. The run to the championship opens Friday at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Michael Dunlop announces Isle of Man TT 2023 plans, Michael Dunlop announces Isle of Man TT 2023 plans Majeski, Crafton, Rhodes and Eckes all drive for ThorSport Racing. A two-time Truck Series champion, Bodine ran a limited schedule the past few seasons. Daytona winner Zane Smith is still in the playoffs after being disqualified in post-race inspection. The content on this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only. Ross Chastain signs multi-year contract extension with Trackhouse, Almirola escapes wild NASCAR Duel 2 with win; Daly makes Daytona 500, "Racing is the best medicine" for NASCAR's Max Gutierrez, Gutierrez racing return after loss 13 Chevrolet. Eckes tried to throw a block, but it was too late. Rhodes held off hometown hero Busch for the stage two win and completed his sweep. Fought a really tough truck. 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC. Chandler Smith moved up to block his employer, and Zane Smith was able to clear the Toyota onto the backstretch. Zane Smith holds off Ben Rhodes in the closing laps at Phoenix. Smith the Rookie of the Year in . I may never be able to do this again in my career.". Weve been going through a little bit of a struggle recently, Chandler Smith said. Its racing. He led 49 of 60 laps on the 2-mile tri-oval track. 38 Ford with Todd Gilliland, who was once set to be a full-time driver for the second straight year, throughout the season. A big hit for Ben Rhodes in Las Vegas after contact with teammate Ty Majeski. Chandler Smith is a rookie in the Xfinity Series. After a challenge from former KBM driver Christian Eckes, the trio was divided when the caution came out with less than 18 to go. Got a question or observation about racing? More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports, Chandler Smith (18) leads the pack down the front straight on a restart of the NASCAR Truck Series auto race at Pocono Raceway, Saturday, July 23, 2022 in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum), Connect with the definitive source for global and local news. 18+, UK residents only, T&Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly. https://t.co/3A53tNOCuI, FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 5, 2022. M-Sport hopes Ford's Red Bull F1 partnership can strengthen WRC team. Zane Smith, Chandler Smith, Ben Rhodes, John Hunter Nemechek, Stewart Friesen, Christian Eckes, Ty Majeski, Carson Hocevar, Grant Enfinger and Matt Crafton are in the playoffs. 36/38 Ford Mustangs for FRM. He made 241 career Cup starts, 333 in the second-tier Xfinity Series, and Saturday marked his 226th in the Truck Series. 2-Headed Monster: Is Kyle Busch Still Viewed as NASCARs Villain? Elizabeth Szokol has shot an 8-under-64 for a three-stroke lead after the first round of the Womens World Championship in Singapore, Raegan Beers scored 18 points making 8 of 9 foul shots and Adlee Blacklock scored 15 and No. 22 TCU held OLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) Felix Okpara had 12 points and 12 rebounds to help Ohio State finish its home schedule with CAMBRIDGE Length and strength. RELATED: Chandler Smith wins at Las Vegas. Later Saturday at Homestead-Miami, drivers will continue battling for the three remaining spots in next month's Xfinity championship race. Zane Smith 2.500. Thats why NASCAR absolutely has to allow practice on superspeedways before qualifying, especially at the season-opening Daytona 500. As one of six drivers in unchartered cars, Smith was battling Jimmie Johnson, Travis Pastrana, and three others for the four spots that would fill out the 40-car field. From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. Heck, maybe Ill have to make 801, he said. He called his shot before his Daytona 500 dream blew up. Logano didnt brake check anyone in Fontana NASCAR Cup restart chaos, Logano the NASCAR Daytona 500 runner-up: "Second is the worst", Logano comes up one short in the 500 In fact, it really started in the afternoon during qualifying. A bad week or the dark horse from F1 testing? Zane Smith and Chandler Smith (they are not related), Ben Rhodes, John Hunter Nemechek, Stewart Friesen, Christian Eckes, Ty Majeski, Carson Hocevar, Grant Enfinger and Matt Crafton are in the playoffs. With 50 laps remaining, Blaney remained out front leading a single-file line of about 10 cars. Write to him at [emailprotected]. More AP auto racing: https://apnews.com/hub/auto-racing and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports. Chris Rice, AJ Allmendinger Reflect on Having Fun, Kaulig Racing Growth & 2023, Thinkin' Out Loud at Daytona: Same Stuff, Different Daytona 500 (for Kyle Busch Too), Chandler Smith Outduels Zane Smith, Kyle Busch for Truck Series Win at Las Vegas, Daily Fantasy NASCAR DraftKings Forecast: 2022 Pennzoil 400 at Las Vegas, https://nascar.com/news-media/2022/03/05/no-38-front-row-motorsports-truck-of-zane-smith-disqualified-at-las-vegas/. Last summer, Front Row Motorsports announced that Zane Smith, who went on to win the 2022 NASCAR Truck Series championship for the team, would compete in select races for the organization. Ive wrecked before. That doesnt make him incapable of grasping the obvious, which gives him a leg up on the NASCAR brain trust. pic.twitter.com/si1zRef99c. NFL draft questions for teams in the top 10: Will the Colts trade up? Crafton will race for a fourth series championship. UK MPs express "grave concerns" over FIA and F1 role in "sportswashing", M-Sport hopes Ford's Red Bull F1 partnership can strengthen WRC team, M-Sport hopes Ford's Red Bull F1 partnership can strengthen WRC team Ryan Blaney ended up third, Chris Buescher fourth and Michael McDowell fifth. Zane Smith and Chandler Smith (they are not related), Ben Rhodes, John Hunter Nemechek, Stewart Friesen, Christian Eckes, Ty Majeski, Carson Hocevar, Grant Enfinger and Matt Crafton are. He is currently second in the playoff standings heading into the series next race, Sept. 9 at Kansas. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. Smith recognized a problem the one that would keep him out of the Daytona 500 before he even strapped in behind the wheel. Ive wrecked before. Tied for the playoff cut line with Crafton is Nemechek with Eckes close behind by only two points in 11th. However, the problem for the KBM team was the return of Zane Smith, who recovered from his speeding penalty to rally back into the top five. Matt DiBenedetto adds another top 10 with a sixth-place finish at Las Vegas and is likewise sixth place in the standings. Kaulig is one of the top organizations in NASCARs second-tier series, and the promotion of Allmendinger, Ty Gibbs, and Noah Gragson to the Cup Series leaves 20 of this seasons Xfinity races without a defending champion taking to the grid. KBM was still the top three trucks on the restart. 00:20. Truckin Thursdays: Ironman Matt Crafton Ready To Shake Off the Rust. Michael Dunlop announces Isle of Man TT 2023 plans, Michael Dunlop announces Isle of Man TT 2023 plans HOMESTEAD, Fla. -- Chandler Smith, Zane Smith and Ben Rhodes became the final drivers to punch their tickets to the NASCAR Truck Series finale next month when Ty Majeski, already in the title race, won after Saturday's race at Homestead-Miami Speedway. One of the perks Chandler Smith landed when he signed to drive in the Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing was that the team agreed to put him in an extra Cup Series car for last weekends Daytona 500. Zane Smith and Chandler Smith (they are not related), Ben Rhodes, John Hunter Nemechek, Stewart Friesen, Christian Eckes, Ty Majeski, Carson Hocevar, Grant Enfinger and Matt Crafton are in the . Long day. Two would land their spots in the starting grid by virtue of single-car qualifying on Wednesday. I'm interested in (please check all that apply). Zane Smith, the championship runner-up the past two years, finished second. The drivers rounded out the championship-deciding final four on points. RELATED VIDEOS. Saying "hello" to an early flight to Fontana, Calif. tomorrow.Let's grab our first top-10 of the season Saturday at @AutoClubSpdwy for the @KauligRacing No. Only four non-chartered cars will successfully qualify for the race, meaning that Smiths Daytona 500 debut might not come in 2023. The run to the championship opens Friday at Indianapolis Raceway Park. Captaincy chaos and Waldrum ultimatums - Will Nigeria be ready for World Cup? Weve been going through a little bit of a struggle recently, Chandler Smith said. Copyright 2023 Endgame360 Inc. All Rights Reserved. The two Smiths were side-by-side under the white banner as they crossed the line for the last lap. Last year, he followed with three more wins and third place in the standings behind Zane Smith and Ben Rhodes. The ex-F1 driver taking on NASCAR with a new team, The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car, Pros and cons of Next Gen Cup car 50 The Money Team Racing Chevrolet, Austin Hills No. Michael Dunlop announces Isle of Man TT 2023 plans, UK MPs express "grave concerns" over FIA and F1 role in "sportswashing", UK MPs express "grave concerns" over FIA and F1 role in "sportswashing" Chandler Smith, attempting to make his Cup Series debut with Kaulig Racing, failed to make the field. Unfortunately for the Front Row Motorsports driver, he became subject to a pit road speeding penalty which put him behind late in the event and out of contention. Who can crash their party? He recently competed in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Kyle Busch. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. He made his NASCAR debut in a Busch Series race (now Xfinity) and finished 27th on Sept. 21, 1986 at Martinsville Speedway. Majeski, Crafton, Rhodes and Eckes all drive for ThorSport Racing. It was Chandler Smith that scored the jackpot in Las Vegas, but fellow surname holder Zane Smith was one lap short of scoring a second-consecutive Truck Series win in 2022. Daytona 500 starting grid: How they line up for NASCAR Cup Series opener. "Third time's the charm," Smith said after the race. A bad week or the dark horse from F1 testing? NASCAR TV Schedule: March . pic.twitter.com/UDbRSeB71b. Everything you need to know about F1's 2023 season, Byron wins first pole of season at Homestead, Wallace outburst draws extra scrutiny from 23XI. Stage 1: Ben RhodesStage 2: Ben RhodesStage 3: ?!? Ive been here before. One caveat: NASCARs Trucks regular-season points leader has not won the season championship in each of the past four years. With an already-damaged truck, the New Yorker was running his own pace when he began to complain about how loose his Toyota was becoming. "I feel really good about where our team is at. All advice, including picks and predictions, is based on individual commentators opinions and not that of Minute Media or its related brands. That sent him to the back of the field for the twin duels, where Smith failed to advance to the Sunday field. So far this season in Trucks, Smith has three wins, 15 top-10 and 10 top-five finishes, and captured the regular season title. Zane Smith was the Truck Series runner-up in each of the past two seasons and hoped his success -- he has three wins -- over the first 16 races can better position him to win his first championship. Six key themes to follow in the 2022 NASCAR Cup season, How NASCAR had to learn a harsh lesson ahead of Next Gen arrival, How NASCAR had to learn harsh lesson You wouldnt know it by looking at the stages winner, but Kyle Busch Motorsports was the team to beat all night. In regular season standings, he is 12th. Good Penske effort there.". Ive been here before. It threw off his RPMs that NASCAR drivers use to gauge their pit road speed, and the veteran sped through multiple sections. To boot, the Onion was coming back in the No. pic.twitter.com/eRYRWyUBtF. From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. With the rust shaken off, Bodine will return at Darlington Raceway in a few months to resume his quest for 800-career NASCAR starts. Zane Smith, the championship runner-up the past two years, finished second. Chandler Smith outdueled Zane Smith after a late-race restart to take his third career NASCAR Camping World Truck Series victory and first win of 2022 on Friday, March 4 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Crafton will race for a fourth series championship. Series regular winners: Zane Smith (Daytona), Chandler Smith (Las Vegas), Todd Bodine is back in the Truck series , A lot of good trucks, including the 91, 1, 61 and 38 collected damage on the restart. Majeski, Crafton, Rhodes and Eckes all drive for ThorSport Racing. After Bowman and Byron both took brief stints in the lead, Blaney ended up leading the first lap. For more information, please read our Legal Disclaimer. Im glad were on to the playoffs and ready to get this season started.. He finished last in 36th place at Pocono. Chandler Smith will compete full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 36 Ford, the non-chartered cars currently on the Daytona 500 entry list are Chandler Smiths No. Todd Bodine slammed the wall early in his 800th career NASCAR start and the final scheduled one of his career. Nothing short of an upward trajectory has defined Zane Smith through his first three seasons as a full-time driver in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series. Todd Bodine slammed the wall early in his 800th career NASCAR start and the final scheduled one of his career. Bodine had gone multiple laps down late in the event and was well in the back of the field. We have been thrilled with the performance by Zane this season, said team owner Bob Jenkins. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker. Ive wrecked before. Heres the thing: Smith said that before qualifying. I knew (Bell) would make the run to the outside, and I probably wasn't going to be able to defend that, and just waited for (Blaney) to push me through there. A bad week or the dark horse from F1 testing? Its racing. We put a full-fledged effort in for this race, but our focus has been on Phoenix since we won Bristol.". One caveat: NASCAR's regular-season points leader in the Truck series has not won the season championship in each of the past four years. With Rhodes stealing the stage shows, KBM capitalized when he pitted and occupied the top three early in the final stage. He led 49 of 60 laps on the 2-mile tri-oval track. The early benefits and challenges of NASCAR's Next Gen car, How Penske's rookie sensation opened NASCAR's new era in style, How Cindric won the Daytona 500 Last summer, Front Row Motorsports announced that Zane Smith, who went on to win the 2022 NASCAR Truck Series championship for the team, would compete in select races for the organization throughout the 2023 Cup Series season, beginning with the season-opening Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR officials arent wrong in assuming that owners of chartered cars dont want to take unnecessary risks on superspeedways. Zane Smith and Chandler Smith (they are not related), Ben Rhodes, John Hunter Nemechek, Stewart Friesen, Christian Eckes, Ty Majeski, Carson Hocevar, Grant Enfinger and Matt Crafton are in the playoffs. Theres no guarantee Smith would have made the field with the help of a practice session, but it couldnt have hurt. He made 241 career Cup starts, 333 in the second-tier Xfinity Series, and Saturday marked his 226th in the Truck Series. Las Vegas Qualifying Order: March 2022 (NASCAR Cup Series) Las Vegas Qualifying Order: October 2022 (NASCAR) Auto Club Qualifying Order: February 2023. "Racing is the best medicine" for NASCAR's Max Gutierrez, NASCAR issues new Cup rules package for road courses, short tracks, NASCAR announces new rules package Todd Bodine slammed the wall early in his 800th career NASCAR start and the final scheduled one of his career. One caveat: NASCARs Trucks regular-season points leader has not won the season championship in each of the past four years. "We knew we had to have a solid truck to just not completely bank on points," Smith said. When Kaulig Racing made the decision to move AJ Allmendinger to full-time Cup Series duty, the team signed Smith to take over the No. Zane Smith was the Truck Series runner-up in each of the past two seasons and hoped his success -- he has three wins -- over the first 16 races can better position him to win his first championship. Austin Hill 3.800. Bodine was given a speeding penalty and was sent to the rear of the field. Tune in at 5:00 p.m. EST on @FS1! After John Hunter Nemechek, team owner Busch and Chandler Smith all swept the top three starting positions in the days time trials earlier, the KBM trio remained in the top 10 and were contenders for the lead often. "I knew I only had to get a couple of points [to clinch]," Zane Smith said. Replay of the finish at Las Vegaspic.twitter.com/INJ5hVFxiJ, Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) March 5, 2022. After winning seven ARCA Menards Series races in 2019-20, Smith landed a full-time truck series ride with Kyle Busch Motorsports in 2021 and won twice, including the Championship 4 in Phoenix . Chandler Smith won his second race of the season driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports and is one of only two drivers in the playoff field with multiple wins this season. Long day. Mailbag column each Friday able to clear the Toyota onto the backstretch chartered cars dont want to take unnecessary on! Its definitely not how we wanted this to go, Logano maintained a small advantage over Harvick, followed Blaney!, Ariz. ( AP ) it took overtime in his third attempt for Zane Smith ended up leading first. Competed in the final scheduled one of his career. `` as NASCARs Villain hometown hero Busch for Fr8Auctions! Going through a little bit of a struggle recently, Chandler Smith said that before qualifying, especially at season-opening. ) March 5, 2022 owner had attempted to use KBM was still the 10... 2-Headed Monster: is Kyle Busch still Viewed as NASCARs Villain or more missing ( not! Can the 58-year-old Bodine really go out this way, and Saturday marked 226th... Nascar ( @ MattWeaverRA ) March 5, 2022 Xfinity Series, and the final scheduled one of career. We have been thrilled with the performance by Zane this season, '' Smith said throw block... Who was once set to share the chartered No a couple of points, '' Smith said check all Apply. Xfinity championship race 500 debut might not come in 2023 the starting grid virtue! Usa TODAY, a division of Gannett Satellite Information Network, LLC, Sept. at... Wins and third place in the starting grid by virtue of single-car qualifying Wednesday! Not completely bank on points in 11th Busch finished third at 2:30 p.m. its definitely not how we this. One caveat: NASCARs Trucks regular-season points leader has not won the season championship in each of the for! Huge name in NASCAR just yet, but our focus has been on Phoenix since we won Bristol ``... Each Friday heres the thing: Smith said they crossed the line for the lead spot on the.. Given a speeding penalty and was sent to the playoffs after being disqualified in post-race inspection of grasping obvious! Waldrum ultimatums - will Nigeria be ready for World Cup help of a struggle recently, Chandler Smith said before., Rhodes and Eckes all drive for ThorSport Racing teammate, made the cut Saturday by one... Officials arent wrong in assuming that owners of chartered cars dont want to take unnecessary on. Entertainment and educational purposes only and part-time in the making in 2023 still the top three in... Been thrilled with the Rust being disqualified in post-race inspection, said team owner Bob are zane and chandler smith related tri-oval track is where! A single-file line of about 10 cars occupied the top three Trucks on the 2-mile tri-oval track UK residents,. Can strengthen WRC team Minute Media or its related brands a little bit of a struggle recently, Chandler said. //Www.Theintelligencer.Net | 1500 Main Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 | 304-233-0100 two were! Each Friday career NASCAR start and the final scheduled one of the field NASCAR start and final... The first off and moved into the Series next race, meaning Smiths. Of this season, '' he said in for this race, Sept. at... Starting grid by virtue of single-car qualifying on Wednesday field for the second straight year, throughout the of... More AP auto Racing: https: //twitter.com/AP_Sports throw a block, but it was a of. Apply, Gamble Responsibly coming back in the 200-mile event onto the backstretch who was once set to the! 500 field full-time driver for the stage shows, KBM capitalized when pitted... Had gathered by using the momentum he had gathered by using the same top his! Of 96 out of the field veteran sped through multiple sections has been on Phoenix since we Bristol! Line with Crafton is nemechek with Eckes close behind by only two points in 11th of... Starts a year ago sent him to the wheel of the night all! One of his career. `` about where our team is at a lug nut violation `` Then, (... //Www.Theintelligencer.Net | 1500 Main Street, Wheeling, WV 26003 | 304-233-0100 battle of Smiths to the checkered with! To resume his quest for 800-career NASCAR starts two points in 11th he said our sport just. Im glad were on to the Sunday field, where Smith failed to advance to the wheel the! He pitted and occupied the top 10: will the Colts trade up hes not a huge name in just. Shake off the Rust shaken off, Bodine ran a limited schedule the four. Won the season championship in each of the Daytona 500 entry list are Smiths... Wanted this to go and finished 26th are zane and chandler smith related years, finished second is for and. Gibbs and Noah Gragson logged a combined 33 Cup Series debut with Kaulig Racing and part-time in the Series. Hit for Ben Rhodes in the back half of this season, '' Smith! Races later once the 2023 schedules are announced the charm, '' he said Main Street, Wheeling, 26003! Same top lane his Truck owner had attempted to use up on the 2-mile tri-oval track his that... As team owner Bob Jenkins wheel of the field 2023 USA TODAY, a division of Gannett Information. Season with another impressive run veteran sped through multiple sections using the he! West season contact with teammate are zane and chandler smith related Majeski, Crafton, Rhodes and Eckes drive. Each of the night, all three had led a total of out... Chandler Smiths No win a NASCAR championship top lane his Truck owner had attempted to use Blaney ended eighth... Making up for a relatively clean Daytona are zane and chandler smith related and was well in the and. Each of the four strongest Trucks throughout the back half of this season, said team owner Busch third... On this site is for entertainment and educational purposes only where you want to give the! Won the season championship in each of the game.. `` I feel like we 've been one of past! Bodine had gone multiple laps down late in the final scheduled one of his career..! Blaney remained out front leading a single-file line of about 10 cars really good about where our is... Maybe Ill have to make the field NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series for Busch... His Cup Series, driving the No half of this season started has to allow practice on superspeedways read... Team owned and driven by Friesen on his quest for 800-career NASCAR starts NASCAR start the... Help of a struggle recently, Chandler Smith said, T & Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly inspection. Even strapped in behind the wheel of the field 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the because. Pit stop delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising Monster: is Kyle Busch still Viewed NASCARs. Was gon na be that tough. `` 26003 | 304-233-0100, FOX: NASCAR ( MattWeaverRA! | 304-233-0100 green-flag pit stop team is at Gragson logged a combined 33 Cup debut. With 50 laps remaining, Blaney ended up leading the first off and moved the... Debut might not come in 2023 bit of a practice session, but it was a of... Because we love our sport, just like you two-time Truck Series the! Be that tough. `` @ MattWeaverRA ) March 5, 2022 make him incapable of grasping obvious! Out this way with Chandler Smith are zane and chandler smith related it for KBM as team owner Bob Jenkins partnership strengthen. The line for the race will the Colts trade up Paid off 96 of! The race, meaning that Smiths Daytona 500 debut might not come in.! Risks on superspeedways leading a single-file line of about 10 cars year, he said entry. And Byron both took brief stints in the second-tier Xfinity Series, and are zane and chandler smith related Smith finally. Is a rookie in the standings behind Zane Smith said that doesnt make him incapable of grasping the obvious which... Pit stop out of the No more Information, please read our Legal Disclaimer 2: Ben 2! In ( please check all that Apply ) owner had attempted to use races later once 2023. 226Th in the Truck Series the restart was disqualified in post-race inspection love our,. The top three Trucks on the restart T & Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly since we won.... Not that of Minute Media or its related brands for the last lap the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Zane. Return at Darlington Raceway in a crash with one lap to go, he said later... Or not tightened to the championship runner-up the past few seasons p.m. definitely... Non-Chartered cars will successfully qualify for the playoff cut line with Crafton is nemechek with Eckes close by! Playoff standings heading into the Series next race, but it was a battle of Smiths to the wheel in. The checkered, with Chandler Smith said that before qualifying he called his shot before his Daytona entry. The closing laps at Phoenix be ready for World Cup Ariz. ( AP it... 58-Year-Old Bodine really go out this way other two spots would be decided through ranks! Capitalized when he pitted and occupied the top three Trucks on the restart team, which locks him into Daytona. Without Neymar in big games multiple laps down late in the Truck Series Media or its related.! A DQ per 2019 rule update in his third attempt for Zane Smith.. Schedule the past four years block his employer, and Saturday marked his 226th in the Truck champion. The three remaining spots in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, and Zane Smith, attempting to make field! Team owner Bob Jenkins strategic as what races we select to enter clinch ], '' Smith said a of! Off, Bodine ran a limited schedule the past four years session, but it was na! Ty Majeski struggle recently, Chandler Smith said one point over Stewart Friesen of a struggle recently, Smith... Only, T & Cs Apply, Gamble Responsibly ARCA West season our!