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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series

Zane Smith Triumphs at Daytona

Arms raised in victory for Zane Smith at Daytona. (Photo: Jonathan Huff | The Podium Finish)

Arms raised in victory for Zane Smith at Daytona. (Photo: Jonathan Huff | The Podium Finish)

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Zane Smith’s tenure with Front Row Motorsports starts off with a banger.

In his first start with the team, Smith scored the victory in Friday night’s NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway.

The two-time series runner-up got some vital assistance from fifth-place finisher Parker Kligerman on the final restart, putting Smith in front of the field coming to the white flag. Further back, a multi-truck crash involving Jason White and Kris Wright in Turn 1 ended the race-extended 106 laps under caution.

At one point, Smith didn’t have a ride and perhaps would’ve been running in the Cup Series this season. Fortunately for the young Californian, an opportunity to succeed Todd Gilliland in the No. 38 Ford F-150 came up and already, the vibe has been electric.

Smith acknowledged a great assist from Parker Kligerman as a difference maker for his Friday night win at Daytona. (Photo: Jonathan Huff | The Podium Finish)

Smith acknowledged a great assist from Parker Kligerman as a difference maker for his Friday night win at Daytona. (Photo: Jonathan Huff | The Podium Finish)

“It’s so dang cool. I think NASCAR is going in the right direction of it, and team owners that are starting or they’re really looking for guys that can win, and Bob Jenkins is one of those guys. I’ll forever be in debt for him taking a risk on me,” Smith on Front Row Motorsports.

“Days like tonight, and what do we have, 20 more, 21 more, something like that, those are all talent shows for me. It’s all just trying to make him happy and proving him right. I know he’s really happy right now, but if we continue to win these, not only will I be happy, but he will, as well.

“Guys like him that have been here for a while and really just grind it out and keep on fighting, those are the team owners you want, the ones that are really into it, and he’s one of those.”

Smith’s road to victory almost didn’t happen following “The Big One” on the frontstretch coming to the white flag in regulation. John Hunter Nemechek got into the back of Tyler Ankrum, sending him in front of the pack as trucks scattered everywhere to avoid the mayhem.

Among those involved in the melee were Derek Kraus, whose No. 19 Chevy Silverado lifted in the air after running into the grass. Other drivers involved were Matt Crafton, Chandler Smith and Stewart Friesen.

NASCAR officials brought out the red flag that lasted over 15 minutes. They also reviewed the incident as to whether Christian Eckes took the white flag. In the end, Eckes didn’t beat the caution flag and the race wasn’t over.

Eckes ultimately finished in third and felt a few more laps would’ve helped his odds at the end.

Eckes gave it all he had for a Daytona win. (Photo: Jonathan Huff | The Podium Finish)

Eckes gave it all he had for a Daytona win. (Photo: Jonathan Huff | The Podium Finish)

“I felt like we were in good position there. I felt like I was kind of sitting duck being the leader,” said Eckes. “At the end of the day, really proud of these AHI Facility Services Toyota Tundra guys. I sure wish we could have won, but a good start to our year.”

When asked about the red flag period, Smith explained that there’s so many variables to win at Daytona.

“I had a pretty good view of the big screen, and I had seen the yellow light flash off and a few other angles, and they showed like an onboard from somebody, and I’m like, man, it looked like the green,” Smith commented.

“Obviously, I’m a little biased here, but it looked like the green flag light was still on and then I got confirmation that we were going back green. At that time, I’ve really learned over the past couple years that whenever you think something is going to go your way, it goes the exact opposite.”

Smith would continue his response by summarizing how grateful he is for Kligerman’s push in overtime.

“I was just planning for the worst. We were struggling on getting going like the first lap. I couldn’t push the 4, and I was hoping — I pretty much had two pretty good options. I either had a teammate behind me or Parker behind me, and ultimately Parker is what has me sitting here right now,” said Smith.

It's a good time for Front Row Motorsports' Zane Smith and his No. 38 team. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)

It’s a good time for Front Row Motorsports’ Zane Smith and his No. 38 team. (Photo: Luis Torres | The Podium Finish)

“I definitely have a gift headed his way. I don’t know what I’m going to send him, but he gave me a great push, and ultimately that’s what won me it.”

Defending Truck Series champion and Daytona winner Ben Rhodes finished one spot ahead of Eckes. From his perspective, timing was everything regarding how they were denied a shot of beating Smith.

“I feel like if we could’ve got the run a little bit sooner, we might have been able to get past Zane. You’re just trying to time how soon to make that run. I knew there was going to be a caution on the last lap, I just didn’t know where,” Rhodes explained.

“You want to get the lead and possibly fall back by turn one, turn two, backstretch. You just don’t know when the caution is going to come out. Solid effort by our Toyota Tundra ThorSport team.”

The next time the Truck Series will take center stage is Friday, March 4 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway for the running of the Bucked Up 200. Nemechek is the defending race winner.

Top 10 Results: Z. Smith, Rhodes, Eckes, Tanner Gray, Kligerman, Little, Majeski, Bohn, Hocevar and DiBenedetto

Throughout my young motorsports media career, my number-one goal is to be a personnel that can be flexible with my writing and photography in the world of NASCAR and INDYCAR. Content delivery is vital because this is my main passion and what keeps me going. On the side, I also do sports production ranging from Seattle Kraken hockey to the 2023 NCAA Women's March Madness. All for the love of the game. With four National Motorsports Press Association photography awards, I'm not slowing down anytime soon. Outside of media, I'm super vocal about my musical tastes that goes from Metallica to HAIM. At times, there might be some Paul Thomas Anderson and Southern California references in my social media.

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