NASCAR
Smith and Smith Show: Chandler Out-Duels Zane for Las Vegas Win
LAS VEGAS, Nev. – A wild, chaotic, and attrition-filled Friday night ended in both Smiths battling for the win. After getting around both Kyle Busch and Zane Smith late, Chandler Smith held on for his third Truck Series victory. This puts the 19-year-old driver back into the Playoffs for the second-straight season, as he fought off the best in the Trucks to secure the win.
Post-race inspection was not kind to one of the Smiths, as Zane’s No. 38 was found to have illegal lugnuts. As a result, the second-place finisher was disqualified.
An alarming trend has developed in five of six races so far this year; a driver will sweep both Stages but wreck in the final Stage. In this second Truck Series race, that held true for Ben Rhodes. The defending series champion won both Stages commandingly, only to be wrecked out late. Rhodes’ No. 99 Toyota pounded the outside wall after contact from teammate Ty Majeski.
A big hit for Ben Rhodes in Las Vegas after contact with teammate Ty Majeski. pic.twitter.com/si1zRef99c
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 5, 2022
Not long after, another ThorSport truck would crash out of the lead. Christian Eckes turned himself off the nose of Kyle Busch while trying to block the 51. After appearing to have four great shots at victory, ThorSport left Vegas with two of their trucks junked.
Replay: Christian Eckes goes around after a battle for the lead with Kyle Busch! pic.twitter.com/eRYRWyUBtF
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 5, 2022
While Eckes’ wreck seemingly gave Kyle Busch another easy Truck win, that was not the case. On the last restart, Zane Smith got around Busch and began to drive off. At the white flag however, the dominant truck of the night, Chandler Smith’s No. 18, drew even with the leader. The 18 faked high, then cut low off of turn two on the final lap to clear the 38 and take the victory.
WHAT A BATTLE! RETWEET TO CONGRATULATE CHANDLER SMITH ON HIS NASCAR TRUCK SERIES WIN IN LAS VEGAS ??@CSmithDrive | @KBMteam pic.twitter.com/ImZo5UqqMR
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 5, 2022
“The Good Lord, man, he performs miracles all day,” Chandler Smith said. “He gives me the talent the opportunity to drive this truck for Kyle Busch Motorsports. I’m just beyond thankful for this whole opportunity.
“All the glory goes to Him, my guys, my wife – everybody that’s supported that deal with me, honestly, every single day. I’m just super-thankful right now.”
Top 10 finishers from Las Vegas for the Trucks were Chandler Smith, Kyle Busch, Stewart Friesen, Ryan Preece, Tanner Gray, Matt DiBenedetto, Matt Crafton, Bret Holmes, Austin Wayne Self, and Ty Majeski.
Zane Smith was second until his truck was found to have illegal lugnuts in post-race inspection. The ensuing DQ sends the 38 from finishing runner-up to a 36th-place result.
A few drivers who would have earned top-10s were taken out of contention by last-lap carnage. Grant Enfinger pounded the outside wall and burst aflame, while John Hunter Nemechek also lost a tire and spun. The 4 was right in the path of Jordan Anderson, causing major damage. Both the 23 and the 4 were damaged after contact from Derek Kraus.
A big crash at the end of Friday night's NASCAR Truck Series race in Las Vegas. pic.twitter.com/iczTXzmMav
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 5, 2022
The Truck Series will be back in action in Atlanta on March 19. The Fr8 Auctions 208 will go green at 2:30 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. With two different winners to open 2022, can Atlanta give us a third different Truck Series victor?
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Dylan Buell/Getty Images for NASCAR
