It came down to a late-race battle of Smith’s with Chandler chasing down and making his way past Zane in the closing laps of the Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway to pick up the third victory of his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career.
With four laps remaining, Smith lined up behind KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch for the final restart. Smith started to push his boss past the start-finish line and then into Turn 1 made a three-wide move to the outside of him. The two KBM Toyota’s battled side-by-side for over two laps which allowed Zane Smith to momentarily escape with a five-truck lead with two laps remaining. The Safelite Tundra TRD Pro was able to make his way past his owner and then chased down Zane Smith as the field took the white flag.
Chandler started a move to the outside of Zane as they exited Turn 2 and as Zane went to move up the track, the Safelite Tundra TRD Pro made a crossover move and got to the inside of Zane down the backstretch. Chandler cleared Zane off Turn 4 and crossed the stripe 0.289 seconds ahead of Zane. After failing post-race tech Zane was disqualified, leaving Busch with the runner-up finish.
With his first win 0f 2022 Smith catapulted to the top of the Camping World Truck Series standings. After two events, he holds a five-point advantage over Tanner Gray. The win was the first for the new Toyota Tundra TRD Pro.
Stage One Recap:
- Smith lined up on the inside of the second row to start the 134-lap event after positing the third fastest lap in Friday afternoon’s one-round, single-truck qualifying session.
- The 19-year-old driver communicated that the handling of his Safelite Tundra TRD Pro was “perfect” in the opening Stage of the event.
- When a caution came out with six laps remaining in the stage Smith was scored in the second position. Looking to earn a Stage Win and playoff points, veteran crew chief Danny Stockman elected to keep his driver on the track while the majority of the field pitted.
- The field went back green with three laps remaining with Smith as the leader, but another caution occurred shortly after and NASCAR ruled that Ben Rhodes had narrowly made his way into the top spot.
- The stage ended under caution with Smith earning nine stage points.
Stage Two Recap:
- Stockman ordered up four-tire and fuel stop with a slight air-pressure adjustment between stages. Due to the majority of the field pitting near the end of the opening stanza, the No. 18 Toyota would line up 36th when Stage Two went green on lap 36.
- By the time a caution slowed the field on lap 56, Smith had the Safelite machine up in the seventh position. When pit road opened, he followed suit and came in for four fresh tires and a fuel load of fuel. The stop included a chassis adjustment in attempt to add some stability to the truck.
- Smith elected to restart on the bottom of the fifth row for the one-lap dash to the end of the stage and was able to advance to the seventh position at the completion of the stanza.
Final Stage Recap:
- Having already pitted, Smith stayed on track and would take the green for the Final Stage on the outside of the front row.
- During a caution with just over 40 laps remaining Smith gave up the runner-up position to come down pit road for his final set of fresh goodyears. He exited pit road in the third position and lined up on the top of the front row again.
- Smith would make his way to the lead and remain out front for the next 20 laps.
- After the eighth caution of the day flew, Smith once again elected the top, but would get shuffled on the restart and fall back to the seventh position.
- The Safelite Tundra TRD Pro would rally and was back up to fourth when the 10th and final caution waved with seven laps remaining.
- With four laps remaining, Smith lined up behind KBM owner-driver Kyle Busch for the final restart. Smith started to push his boss past the start-finish line and then into Turn 1 made a three-wide move to the outside of him. The two KBM Toyota’s battled side-by-side for over two laps which allowed Zane Smith to momentarily escape with a five-truck lead with two laps remaining. The Safelite Tundra TRD Pro was able to make his way past his owner and then chased down Zane Smith as the field took the white flag.
- Chandler started a move to the outside of Zane as they exited Turn 2 and as Zane went to move up the track, the Safelite Tundra TRD Pro made a crossover move and got to the inside of Zane down the backstretch. Chandler cleared Zane off Turn 4 and crossed the stripe 0.289 seconds ahead of Zane. After failing post-race tech Zane was disqualified, leaving Busch with the runner-up finish.
Chandler Smith, driver of the No. 18 Safelite Tundra TRD Pro for KBM
How were you able to win this race tonight?
“All up there. When you guys tuned into me halfway through the race and asked how you got up there, the Good Lord. He performs miracles all day and he’s given me this talent and this opportunity to drive this truck for Kyle Busch Motorsports and for Safelite. I’m just beyond thankful for everything and all the glory goes to him. Thanks to my guys and my wife, everybody that’s a part of this deal and deals with me everyday.”
Do you feel you’re starting to make your mark on the series?
“I’m just another guy that’s trying to race cars for a living. I’ll do whatever the Good Lord lets me do.”
Victoria’s Voice Foundation 200 Recap:
- Smith picked up the third win of his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career and first of 2022. Busch, Stewart Friesen, Ryan Preece, and Tanner Gray rounded out the top-five finishers.
- There were 10 cautions for 52 laps. There were 21 lead changes among 10 drivers, including Smith who led four times for a race-high 32 laps.
How Smith’s KBM Teammates Fared:
- Kyle Busch, driver of the No. 51 Toyota, finished second.
- John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the No. 4 Toyota, finished 25th.
Camping World Trucks Regular Season Driver Standings:
With the win, Smith moved atop the Camping World Truck Series point standings for the first time in his career. He holds a five-point advantage over Tanner Gray.
Next Race:
Smith will be back behind the wheel of the No. 18 Safelite Tundra when the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series resumes action Saturday March 19 at Atlanta (Ga.) Motor Speedway. Live coverage of the Fr8Auctions 200 will be on FS1, Motor Racing Network and SiriusXM at 2:30 p.m. ET.
