NASCAR
Chandler Smith Dominates at Richmond for Playoff Victory
RICHMOND, Va. – After starting second, Chandler Smith was the dominator in Playoff round two from Richmond. After inheriting the lead to start Stage 2, driver 18 never looked back. Smith eventually took the checkered flag by almost three seconds over teammate John Hunter Nemechek. Smith and his Kyle Busch Motorsports team now move onto the Playoffs Round of 8, with win number three of 2022.
Polesitter Ty Majeski looked stout for Stage 1, leading all but the opening lap. The 66 took the opening Stage win by over five seconds, only to lose ground on pit road. Once Chandler Smith gained the lead though, the KBM truck was unbeatable. Despite a late caution, Smith held on over Nemechek for the all-important Playoff win. Is Chandler Smith the new championship favorite after two wins in the last three races?
“God is so good,” Smith said after the win. “I’m a daddy now, my wife had such an amazing delivery for such an amazing baby boy at home, honey this win is for you! Junior this is for you as well. Can’t wait to get home tonight. The blessings just keep stacking up. I have an incredible group behind me with KBM, incredible partners, I’m just going to soak this all in. Give all glory to the Lord.”
Behind Smith and Nemechek were Stage 1 winner Ty Majeski, Grant Enfinger, and Corey Heim. Taylor Gray, Matt Crafton, Christian Eckes, Zane Smith, and Carson Hocevar were the top 10. Hear from some of these drivers below.
Set up for longer runs, @JHNemechek did not want to see that last caution, coming home 2nd. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/vgqx1exLGf
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) August 14, 2022
.@TyMajeski looked unbeatable in Stage 1, only to lose the lead and finish 3rd. Hear how his truck changed after losing track position. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/7yXu1Gav3x
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) August 14, 2022
Not quite a second-straight win, @GrantEnfinger still comes home 4th, building up momentum for these Playoffs. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/PS9AzjfC6D
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) August 14, 2022
After finishing 8th in Richmond, @christianeckes is six points below the cut line heading into Kansas. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/TV5rMxTx2J
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) August 14, 2022
In his championship-winning truck from Phoenix last year, @benrhodes struggled with brake issues all night long, finishing 2 laps down in 18th. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/fHLthrpGnP
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) August 14, 2022
After two races now in the Round of 10, the cut line now has Carson Hocevar -3 and Christian Eckes -6 points facing elimination. The Round of 10 elimination race will be from Kansas Speedway on September 9. Coverage of the Wise Power 200 will be at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1, as two driver’s championship hopes will end here. Who can fend off elimination, and who will be left on the outside looking in?
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Peter Stratta/TSJSports
