Chandler Smith saw an opening and didn’t hesitate.
In a four-wide drag race from Turn 4 to the start-finish line Friday night, Smith shot to the bottom lane and surged ahead to win the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway, delivering Front Row Motorsports a dramatic victory to begin the year.
“The seas literally just parted,” Smith said. “I was surprised the 62 didn’t block it.”
The final lap unfolded in typical Daytona fashion—wild, unpredictable pack racing decided in seconds.
As the field fanned out entering the tri-oval, Smith committed to the inside lane while the No. 88 stayed locked to his rear bumper. The push was enough.
Smith edged ahead at the stripe to secure the win in the No. 38 Ford F-150.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ty Majeski,” Smith said, crediting his teammate for staying loyal to the Ford draft in the closing moments. “He stayed committed to a Ford and pushed a blue oval to a win.”
Smith opened his postrace remarks by thanking God and expressing gratitude for his team.
“Without Him, none of this would be possible,” he said. “I’m super, super grateful that I serve such a loving God that blessed me with such a good group of men and women around me at Front Row Motorsports.”
The victory capped an offseason of refinement for the No. 38 team, which Smith said built on its foundation from last year rather than overhauling it.
“We made some changes in the offseason,” he said. “Everybody knows how this 38 group came together last year, but we built on it and made this group so much better for this year.”
The win also carried personal meaning. Smith gave a shoutout to a friend back home who has been going through a difficult time.
“Rory Smith, buddy, hopefully this does a little better justice for you,” he said.
For Front Row Motorsports, the victory signals early strength in the draft and momentum heading into the heart of the season.
For Smith, it was proof that patience and positioning still matter at a track known for chaos.
At Daytona, races are often decided by inches and instinct. On Friday night, instinct won.
