DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Chandler Smith kicked off the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season with a dramatic victory in the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night. Smith, driving the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford, surged from sixth place on the final overtime lap to claim the checkered flag in a four-wide finish, marking a thrilling start to the new racing season.
The race, which featured a competitive field including veteran racer Tony Stewart, was ultimately decided in a chaotic final lap. Smith’s win wasn’t a solo effort; he credited teammate Ty Majeski with providing a crucial push that propelled him to the front. The victory marks the first Truck Series win of the 2026 season and sets the stage for an exciting championship battle.
The final lap saw a fierce battle for the lead, with John Hunter Nemechek initially holding the position. However, a move by Gio Ruggiero created an opening, and Smith capitalized on the opportunity, maneuvering through the pack with Majeski’s assistance. The race concluded with Smith narrowly edging out Ruggiero, Christian Eckes, and Majeski in a photo finish.
“I was surprised the 62 (Nemechek) didn’t block it,” Smith said, as reported by The Racing Experts. “I was just – the seas literally just parted, and the 88 (Majeski) stayed committed to me. Definitely got to owe you one on that one.”
Fresh from Florida 250: Top 10 Finishers
Here’s a look at the top ten finishers from the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway:
- Chandler Smith, No. 38
- Giovanni Ruggiero, No. 17
- Christian Eckes, No. 91
- Ty Majeski, No. 88
- John Hunter Nemechek, No. 62
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 45
- Brenden Queen, No. 12
- Kaden Honeycutt, No. 11
- Tyler Ankrum, No. 18
- Stewart Friesen, No. 52
The race wasn’t without its drama. Carson Hocevar, who led 20 laps, experienced issues that relegated him to a 35th-place finish, according to Yahoo Sports. Stewart, making a return to the Truck Series, saw his race end prematurely after 36 laps due to a crash involving Jake Garcia, finishing 36th.
Daytona Race Results: Full Finishing Order
The full finishing order of the Fresh from Florida 250, as reported by the Daytona Beach News-Journal, is as follows:
- Chandler Smith, No. 38
- Giovanni Ruggiero, No. 17
- Christian Eckes, No. 91
- Ty Majeski, No. 88
- John Hunter Nemechek, No. 62
- Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 45
- Brenden Queen, No. 12
- Kaden Honeycutt, No. 11
- Tyler Ankrum, No. 18
- Stewart Friesen, No. 52
- Nick Leitz, No. 5
- Ben Rhodes, No. 99
- Andres Perez De Lara, No. 44
- Cole Butcher, No. 13
- Travis Pastrana, No. 42
- Frankie Muniz, No. 33
- Daniel Dye, No. 10
- Clay Greenfield, No. 95
- Mini Tyrrell, No. 14
- Josh Reaume, No. 22
- Spencer Boyd, No. 76
- Justin Haley, No. 16
- Tanner Gray, No. 15
- Michael McDowell, No. 7
- Kris Wright, No. 81
- Daniel Hemric, No. 19
- Dawson Sutton, No. 26
- Taylor Gray, No. 1
- Grant Enfinger, No. 9
- Jason Kitzmiller, No. 97
- Layne Riggs, No. 34
- Jake Garcia, No. 98
- Jason White, No. 2
- Corey LaJoie, No. 75
- Carson Hocevar, No. 77
- Tony Stewart, No. 25
- Cleetus McFarland, No. 4
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series now shifts its focus to the next race on the schedule. Smith’s victory at Daytona provides a strong foundation for his championship aspirations, but the season is long, and the competition is fierce. The series will continue to test drivers and teams as they navigate a diverse range of tracks and challenges throughout the year.
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