Chandler Smith shocked NASCAR fans with a dramatic four-wide pass in the closing moments of the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway. The Front Row Motorsports driver edged out a narrow victory by just 0.044 seconds, securing a thrilling finish in a highly competitive field.
How Smith Clinched Victory in a Tight Finish
Entering Turn 3 on the final lap as sixth in position, Chandler Smith surged forward in an intense final push. John Hunter Nemechek was leading the pack, followed closely by Ty Majeski, Christian Eckes, and Gio Ruggiero. Amid fierce battle among these leaders, Smith maneuvered onto the inside lane and made a decisive pass toward the finish line.
The race’s final order was incredibly close, with Ruggiero finishing second and the top five drivers separated by only 0.069 seconds. The finish was so nail-biting that FOX shared a highlight clip capturing the last moments of the race, illustrating the incredible intensity of the four-wide charge.
Notable Incidents Affecting the Race Outcome
The event featured well-known participants such as Tony Stewart, Travis Pastrana, and the popular YouTuber Cleetus McFarland. Stewart was forced to retire early due to a crash that collected him, while McFarland exited the race after losing control of his vehicle. These early departures removed some strong contenders from the competition.
Chandler Smith had begun the week attempting to qualify for the Daytona 500 as an open entry but missed out after a crash in the qualifying Duel. This was his third attempt to qualify for NASCAR’s premier event, making his win in the Truck Series race even more significant.
Among other notable drivers, Corey Heim, the 2025 Truck Series champion, earned a spot via single-car qualifying on Wednesday, alongside Casey Mears, Justin Allgaier, and BJ McLeod, who also entered as open qualifiers.
Smith Acknowledges Ty Majeski’s Role in the Win
In the post-race interview, Smith gave credit to his teammate Ty Majeski for supporting the winning move. Majeski, who started from the pole position, was closely attached to Smith’s truck in the final dash and played a critical role by pushing Smith to the checkered flag.
“First off, I want to shout out all glory to God….I am super, super grateful that I serve such a loving God that blessed me with such a good group of men and women around me at Front Row Motorsports. Ty Majeski, one of my best four teammates I’ve ever worked with,” Smith said via Motorsport, “He is all credit to how we just won that race truthfully. He stayed committed to a Ford and pushed a blue oval to a win.”
“Just super, super grateful for everybody on this No. 38 Ford F-150 group. We made some changes in the off-season. I felt like last year everybody for the most part knows how this 38 group came together last year, but we built on it and made this group so much better for this year, and I’m so excited for 2026,” he added.
Milestone Achieved for Smith and Front Row Motorsports
This victory marked the eighth career win for Chandler Smith and his third while driving for Front Row Motorsports. Having earned the 2021 Rookie of the Year title, Smith’s first win was with Kyle Busch Motorsports. He ended the 2025 season ranked eighth in the standings, capturing wins at Bristol Motor Speedway and North Wilkesboro Speedway along the way.
Smith’s Daytona win not only exemplifies his growing skill and determination but also reinforces Front Row Motorsports’ rising competitiveness in the Truck Series. This success may build momentum as the 2026 season approaches, with Smith and his team poised to continue their strong performances.
What a finish! Chandler Smith wins the NASCAR Truck Series race at Daytona! pic.twitter.com/s5qy9td9v1
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 14, 2026
