NASCAR
Sammy Smith Takes Spire Motorsports Back to Victory Lane at Talladega
TALLADEGA, Ala. – As is often the case with the Craftsman Truck Series at Talladega, a new name joined the list of winners. Sammy Smith had enough momentum in overtime, making a clutch last lap pass over Ty Majeski to take his maiden Truck triumph. Mere hours after being announced as a TRICON Garage driver for 2027, Smith now heads into next season as a winner. Smith also has the distinction of taming Talladega’s fall race in O’Reilly and Trucks.
Blown tires proved to be an underlying theme to this race, affecting multiple contenders and derailing many promising days. The only ‘Big One’ of the afternoon came late in Stage 1, when several trucks were taken out in turn one. Included in this carnage were both Tony Stewart and Cleetus McFarland, each making rare Truck appearances.
Stage 1 comes to an end early due to incident.
Several trucks including the No. 4 of Cleetus McFarland and the No. 25 of Tony Stewart are involved. pic.twitter.com/ULP3h5h0DK
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 23, 2026
The stages would be split between defending winner Gio Ruggiero and his teammate Tanner Gray. An overtime finish would be triggered after Thomas Annunziata’s terrible crash from the lead, pitting polesitter Sammy Smith against Layne Riggs. The No. 34 Ford would get shoved out of the pack on the last lap, followed by Smith’s huge run through the trioval and to the checkered flag. Truck start number 11 proved to be the lucky one for Smith in the Spire Motorsports Chevrolet.
WHAT A LAST LAP?!@sammysmithSS fights back to claim his first win in his 11th start in the truck series. pic.twitter.com/BPnXR1eIlH
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) October 23, 2026
“Yeah just a great team,” Smith said giving high praise to the Spire crew. “Honestly Brian Pattie [crew chief] and the whole No. 7 Spire crew. Michael Fisher did a great job up on the spotter stand, the truck was fast, I feel like we just did a good job putting ourself there in a good spot. Obviously we lost track position. Thanks to Spectrum, Spire, and everyone for giving me this opportunity. I’m looking forward to racing trucks next year. I just want to win races and that’s what I want to do. I am a winner, I know I can win, and I got another shot tomorrow with my 8 boys.”
Tyler Ankrum split the Spire duo between Smith and Austin Green at the checkers. They just beating out Chase drivers Ty Majeski and points leader Kaden Honeycutt. After losing ground late, Layne Riggs did cross the line in eighth and now falls 42 points back of Honeycutt. Hear from a few of these drivers below.
Today’s runner-up @TylerAnkrum says he could have been closer to the 88 to give more of a shove. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/TMvjMKIQQn
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 23, 2026
Proud dad @DGreen94Champ congratulates his son @austingreen2_ on a hard-fought P3 effort today @TALLADEGA with @SpireMotorsport as the winning teammate @sammysmithSS drives by to victory lane. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/XEoKSAxkAy
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 23, 2026
.@KadenWHoneycutt remains the man atop the @NASCAR_Trucks championship after a top-5 day from @TALLADEGA finishing 5th, saying he’s excited to get to his favorite racetrack anywhere next week from @MartinsvilleSwy. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/CDzCeodwzT
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 23, 2026
.@LayneRiggs99 was shoved out of the lead draft on the last lap and says all of @FordRacing will have to dissect that move, he and Ty Majeski did talk on pit road post-race.
Finishing 8th, Riggs is now 42 points back of Honeycutt. #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/AHMLuhkjX2
— Peter Stratta (@peterstratta) October 23, 2026
42 points now separate Honeycutt and Riggs with only two races left in their title battle. Both of them will be heavily favored next week at Martinsville Speedway in the Black’s Tire 200. The Half-Mile of Mayhem goes green Friday at 6 p.m. ET on FS1, NRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. The points gap between the top two could vanish in an instant, with a lot still up in the air from a very chaotic track ahead.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Sean Gardner/Getty Images
