Chandler Smith Ends Truck Regular Season on Top

Photo Credit to Kyle Busch Motorsports via Twitter

NASCAR

Chandler Smith Wins Truck Regular Season Finale From Pocono

LONG POND, Pa. – The regular season finale for the Truck Series was just about a perfect day for Chandler Smith. The Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 18 led a whopping 49 of 60 laps at the Tricky Triangle, taking his second win of 2022 in dominating fashion. KBM has now won seven of the last eight trips to the Pennsylvania track. The last two Playoff berths remained unchanged as well, going to Grant Enfinger and three-time champion Matt Crafton.

After starting second, Chandler Smith hardly looked back, grabbing the lead on lap one. Despite a few early cautions, Smith led wire-to-wire in Stage 1. After this opening run, another Smith was celebrating, as Zane Smith clinched the regular season championship. The No. 38 Front Row Motorsports team now enters the postseason as the top seed with 37 bonus points.

Chandler Smith would only relinquish the lead to short-pit Stage 2, handing this Stage win to Christian Eckes.

Midway through the final Stage, Chandler Smith faced a true challenge for the first time all day. Ryan Preece stalked down and passed Smith for the lead. On an ensuing restart though, Smith regained the top spot and never looked back.

Despite Preece closing in as the laps wound down, Smith held on for his fourth career victory. Win number two of 2022 secures Chandler Smith as the second seed entering the Playoffs, as he chases Zane Smith.

“God’s good, it’s all His timing,” Chandler Smith said on the victory. “We’ve been going through a little bit of a struggle here recently, but just when we need to we start shining. Can’t thank KBM enough, this Charge Me Toyota Tundra was fast today. It was really good, just a little tight, had a problem getting through the gears. Sorry to the 51 team, but also thank you to the 51 team. This win’s just as much mine as it is your’s.”

“Just can’t thank the Good Lord enough, this is awesome! I’m about to have a little baby boy coming soon, and this is for you when you look back at this!”

Behind Chandler Smith and Ryan Preece, top finishers were: John Hunter Nemechek, Corey Heim, Carson Hocevar, Austin Hill, Ty Majeski, Christian Eckes, Derek Kraus and Tanner Gray. By finishing 15th and 17th respectively, Crafton and Enfinger secured the last two Playoff spots on points. Take a look at the reset Playoff standings below.

The Truck Series’ 2022 Playoffs begin next Friday night from Indianapolis Raceway Park. The first Truck race at the famed Indiana short track in 11 years will be one driver’s ticket to the Round of 8. Coverage is at 9:00 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Which of the 10 Playoff contenders can hit the ground running in race one? Zane and Chandler Smith may both be tough to beat. Stay tuned for a full Playoff preview later this week.

Written by Peter Stratta

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Photo Credit to Kyle Busch Motorsports via Twitter