Sammy Smith racing for points at Homestead. (Photo: Erik Smith | The Podium Finish)
HOMESTEAD, Fla. – Sammy Smith had a decent ending to his weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway, but is now in a must win situation going into Martinsville next week if he is going to have a chance to race for the NASCAR XFINITY Series championship.
With a 17th place finish last week in Las Vegas, Smith entered Homestead 35 points below the cutline to advance out of the Round of 8. Early on, it appeared that Smith may be able to minimize his point deficit with the speed his car had, notably after qualifying fifth on Friday evening for the Contender Boats 300.
However, throughout Stage 1, Smith faded back to a 14th place stage finish, unable to gain any momentum as far as Playoff points are concerned.
Notably, Smith was 51 points below the cutline after Stage 1 was finished. Stage 2 was very similar for Smith and the No. 18 Pilot Flying Joe Gibbs Racing Supra team, with small improvements shown by a 12th place stage finish. The 19-year-old, however, was still sitting 49 points below the cutline to make it into the Championship 4 at the end of the second stage.
The final stage is where the Johnston, Iowa native saw the most improvement in track position, although did not make up as much ground in his Playoff point standings. With 20 laps to go in the 200 lap race, Smith had driven his way up to the seventh position, but still sat 43 points below the cutline to advance out of the Round of 8.
Sam Mayer (No. 1) was at the front of the field, John Hunter Nemechek (No. 20) was running third and sat 47 points above the cutline while Justin Allgaier (No. 7) and Cole Custer (No. 00) were both a lap down with Allgaier winning the point tiebreaker.
With under 10 laps to go in the race, Smith was still running in the top 10, maintaining ninth place until Mayer took the checkered flag. Meanwhile, Smith ended the race 49 points outside of the NASCAR XFINITY Series Championship 4.
After the race, Smith spoke about what he felt he and his team struggled with throughout the race and his goals for Martinsville next week.
“Yeah, it was an okay day for the No. 18 Pilot Flying JGR Supra team as we struggled a bit with balance and just needed some speed throughout the day today,” Smith said. “I knew we had to go win either of these two races to advance, so now, have to go to Martinsville and win it- all we have to do. Do whatever it takes to win.”
