NASCAR
Chandler Smith wins Phoenix, First Victory with Joe Gibbs Racing
AVONDALE, Ariz. – Making only his fourth start with Joe Gibbs Racing, Chandler Smith ends Saturday in Phoenix Raceway victory lane. Driver 81 looked to be the best car from the drop of the green flag, only to face setbacks on each trip down pit road. Following a late race exit by the leader, Smith survived in overtime to bring home a second career Xfinity Series trophy.
Much like last week, Chandler Smith was the class of the field early. The Joe Gibbs Racing No. 81 Toyota took command on lap one and led the entirety of Stage 1. Polesitter Cole Custer matched this feat in Stage 2, after being first off pit road.
A loose handling No. 00 Mustang saw Custer briefly hold the top spot in Stage 3. He would soon get passed by Chandler Smith however, and free fall through the field. With clean air once again, the 81 began to drive off into the desert horizon from the competition.
Tight racing between JGR teammates on a pivotal restart though triggered a 13-car crash with 56 laps left. Smith and John Hunter Nemechek got together in turn two, sending the No. 20 spinning and taking out many fast cars. In total more than one-third of the field would be involved in this melee, with many contenders’ days over.
Just prior to this major incident, Justin Allgaier took the lead for the first time. The No. 7 Chevrolet appeared to be the one remaining car with anything left against Chandler Smith. On the next restart, Allgaier drove off from Smith. The No. 7 appeared to be on cruise control for a third Phoenix triumph, until five laps were left. Allgaier blew a tire entering turn one and slammed the wall from the lead, erasing a prime winning chance.
In overtime, Chandler Smith was able to hold off all challengers and take career win number two. His first win with Joe Gibbs Racing, Smith is now a lock for the 2024 Xfinity Series Playoffs.
“First off all glory to God, without Him I wouldn’t be where I am right now,” Smith said. “I wouldn’t have a beautiful wife at home with these amazing kids He’s blessed us with, they’re my everything, my whole world. Can’t wait to get back home and see them tonight.”
“What a day. We went from dominating to wasn’t great to dominating again and wasn’t great again. We just lacked a little bit on the 7. I hate that that happened to him, he definitely had that in the bag. So I hate it for his guys. Our car was definitely as fast as Xfinity 10G today. I’m so proud of everyone back at Joe Gibbs Racing. It’s good to finally get my first one off my back with these guys. Let’s keep racking them up.”
Smith seemingly has Phoenix Raceway’s number, the Georgia native boasts desert wins across ARCA, Trucks, and now Xfinity. This only added onto JGR’s legendary stat line on the flat mile as well. Smith gives Coach Gibbs his record 17th Xfinity checkered flag here.
In the sprint to the checkers, Smith narrowly beat out rookie Jesse Love and teammate Sheldon Creed. Title favorites Austin Hill and Cole Custer rounded out the top-five. The rest of the top-10 were: Shane van Gisbergen, Brandon Jones, Parker Kligerman, Sammy Smith, and Anthony Alfredo.
Following an off week, Xfinity cars will be back in action at Circuit of the Americas. The Focused Health 250 will go green Saturday, March 23 at 5 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90. Joe Gibbs Racing is going for three straight wins, hoping to keep the streak alive in Austin.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Meg Oliphant/Getty Images
