{"id":37036,"date":"2022-02-18T23:37:01","date_gmt":"2022-02-19T05:37:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/racedaysa.com\/?p=37036"},"modified":"2022-02-18T23:37:01","modified_gmt":"2022-02-19T05:37:01","slug":"zane-smith-wins-wild-camping-world-truck-series-season-opener-at-daytona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/2022\/02\/18\/zane-smith-wins-wild-camping-world-truck-series-season-opener-at-daytona\/","title":{"rendered":"Zane Smith wins wild Camping World Truck Series season-opener at Daytona"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"<\/a>

Zane Smith, driver of the #38 Love’s Travel Stops Ford, celebrates in the Ruoff Mortgage victory lane after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

 <\/p>\n

By Holly Cain<\/em><\/p>\n

NASCAR Wire Service<\/em><\/p>\n

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. \u2013 A 19-car incident as the field approached the white flag signaling one lap to go instead sent Friday night\u2019s NextEra Energy 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season-opener into overtime where 22-year old Californian Zane Smith won under caution over defending series champion Ben Rhodes.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Zane Smith, driver of the #38 Love’s Travel Stops Ford, takes the checkered flag under caution to win the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

A nearly 16-minute red flag was needed to clean up all the debris from the frontstretch melee, which happened only a few feet before the start\/finish line and littered much of the track\u2019s tri-oval. Had Smith – the leader at the time – crossed the line before the wreck began, the race would have ended. Instead, the remaining cars that were able to continue, continued.<\/p>\n

So Smith had to do it all over again. He lined up alongside Eckes for the final two-lap run to the checkered. A sturdy nudge from behind from Parker Kligerman sent Smith\u2019s No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford-150 to the front and he was able to pull away – taking the white flag before caution flew on the final lap. He led only three laps on the night \u2013 including the important last two.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

Zane Smith, driver of the #38 Love’s Travel Stops Ford, celebrates in the Ruoff Mortgage victory lane after winning the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Sean Gardner\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s something else, man,” Smith said of winning at the iconic Daytona International Speedway. \u201cThis place is its own, I\u2019ll tell you that. Literally my heart hurt during that red flag. I thought we had it.<\/p>\n

\u201cJust hats off to this whole group. They\u2019ve really put the work in and it\u2019s so damn cool to see when it pays off. Man, this is going to be a really fun year and I\u2019m going to try and make it a record year for myself.”<\/p>\n

Eckes finished third. Former National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) standout Tanner Gray and Kligerman rounded out the top-five. Carson Hocevar, Jesse Little, polesitter Ty Majeski, Danny Bohn and former NASCAR Cup Series driver Matt DiBenedetto rounded out the top-10. This was DiBenedetto\u2019s career first start in the series.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>

John Hunter Nemechek, driver of the #4 Pye-Barker Fire & Safety Toyota, Tyler Ankrum, driver of the #16 LiUNA! Toyota, andDerek Kraus, driver of the #19 Shockwave Chevrolet, spins after an on-track incident as Zane Smith, driver of the #38 Love’s Travel Stops Ford, Christian Eckes, driver of the #98 AHI Facility Services\/Curb Records Toyota, and Ben Rhodes, driver of the #99 EXT Extreme Hair Therapy Toyota, lead the field during the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona International Speedway on February 18, 2022 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by James Gilbert\/Getty Images)<\/p><\/div>\n

Kligerman, who was the last driver to qualify for the race on speed, started 31st and rallied into the top five ultimately giving that winning push to Smith, who now has four victories and was championship runner-up last year. It was the kind of dramatic racing \u2013 there were 18 lead changes \u2013 and finish that fans have come to expect of Truck races on the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway high banks and it did not disappoint.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is just huge to get this momentum,” said Kligerman, a part-time series competitor who also does national racing broadcast work for NBC.<\/p>\n

He was particular proud of Friday\u2019s effort considering his truck team has only one fulltime employee.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s just such an honor” Kligerman said. \u201cI\u2019m so grateful to have the chance to just show up here, let alone go out there and compete and reel off a top five. We\u2019re just firing on all cylinders.”<\/p>\n

While the ending was certainly exciting, last year\u2019s five-race winner John Hunter Nemechek really dominated the early-going. He led a race best 50 of the 106 laps and won both Stage 1 and Stage 2. He was caught up in the massive incident while running in the top-five and ultimately settled for a 24th-place showing.<\/p>\n

The NASCAR Camping World Truck Series takes a week off and then resumes competition in the Victoria\u2019s Voice Foundation 200 on March 4 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway (6 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).<\/p>\n

Interview:<\/h3>\n

Zane Smith (No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford) – <\/p>\nhttp:\/\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/DaytonaSmithNCWTS021822.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

 <\/p>\n

NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Race – 23rd Annual NextEra Energy 250<\/b><\/p>\n

Daytona International Speedway<\/b><\/p>\n

Daytona Beach, Florida<\/b><\/p>\n

Friday, February 18, 2022<\/b><\/p>\n

                1. (20)  Zane Smith, Ford, 106.<\/p>\n

                2. (27)  Ben Rhodes, Toyota, 106.<\/p>\n

                3. (14)  Christian Eckes, Toyota, 106.<\/p>\n

                4. (24)  Tanner Gray, Ford, 106.<\/p>\n

                5. (31)  Parker Kligerman, Chevrolet, 106.<\/p>\n

                6. (9)  Jesse Little, Chevrolet, 106.<\/p>\n

                7. (1)  Ty Majeski, Toyota, 106.<\/p>\n

                8. (28)  Danny Bohn, Chevrolet, 106.<\/p>\n

                9. (22)  Carson Hocevar, Chevrolet, 106.<\/p>\n

                10. (23)  Matt DiBenedetto, Chevrolet, 106.<\/p>\n

                11. (15)  Spencer Boyd, Chevrolet, 106.<\/p>\n

                12. (8)  Riley Herbst(i), Ford, 106.<\/p>\n

                13. (16)  Austin Wayne Self, Chevrolet, 106.<\/p>\n

                14. (35)  Timmy Hill, Toyota, 106.<\/p>\n

                15. (13)  Austin Hill(i), Chevrolet, 106.<\/p>\n

                16. (5)  Stewart Friesen, Toyota, 106.<\/p>\n

                17. (26)  Hailie Deegan, Ford, 106.<\/p>\n

                18. (34)  Thad Moffitt, Chevrolet, 106.<\/p>\n

                19. (12)  Kris Wright, Chevrolet, 106.<\/p>\n

                20. (33)  Jason White, Toyota, Accident, 105.<\/p>\n

                21. (3)  Chandler Smith, Toyota, 105.<\/p>\n

                22. (32)  Tate Fogleman, Toyota, 105.<\/p>\n

                23. (25)  Bryan Dauzat, Chevrolet, 105.<\/p>\n

                24. (2)  John Hunter Nemechek, Toyota, 104.<\/p>\n

                25. (10)  Lawless Alan #, Chevrolet, Accident, 103.<\/p>\n

                26. (30)  Derek Kraus, Chevrolet, Accident, 101.<\/p>\n

                27. (29)  Matt Crafton, Toyota, Accident, 100.<\/p>\n

                28. (4)  Tyler Ankrum, Toyota, Accident, 99.<\/p>\n

                29. (7)  Grant Enfinger, Chevrolet, Accident, 99.<\/p>\n

                30. (18)  Colby Howard, Chevrolet, Accident, 99.<\/p>\n

                31. (19)  Blaine Perkins #, Chevrolet, Accident, 99.<\/p>\n

                32. (6)  Corey Heim #, Toyota, Accident, 91.<\/p>\n

                33. (11)  Jack Wood #, Chevrolet, Accident, 63.<\/p>\n

                34. (36)  Johnny Sauter, Toyota, Electrical, 60.<\/p>\n

                35. (21)  Bret Holmes, Chevrolet, Clutch, 44.<\/p>\n

                36. (17)  Dean Thompson #, Chevrolet, Brakes, 36.<\/p>\n

Average Speed of Race Winner:  129.146 mph.<\/p>\n

Time of Race:  2 Hrs, 3 Mins, 7 Secs. Margin of Victory:  Under Caution Seconds.<\/p>\n

Caution Flags:  7 for 27 laps.<\/p>\n

Lead Changes:  18 among 10 drivers.<\/p>\n

Lap Leaders:   T. Majeski 1-18;J. Nemechek 19-29;S. Friesen 30-31;T. Majeski 32-34;D. Kraus 35;T. Ankrum 36-37;J. Nemechek 38-43;A. Hill(i) 44;C. Howard 45-51;J. Nemechek 52-64;Z. Smith 65;J. Nemechek 66-67;C. Howard 68;T. Ankrum 69-70;C. Howard 71;J. Nemechek 72-89;B. Rhodes 90-95;C. Eckes 96-104;Z. Smith 105-106.<\/p>\n

Leaders Summary (Driver, Times Lead, Laps Led):  John Hunter Nemechek 5 times for 50 laps; Ty Majeski 2 times for 21 laps; Colby Howard 3 times for 9 laps; Christian Eckes 1 time for 9 laps; Ben Rhodes 1 time for 6 laps; Tyler Ankrum 2 times for 4 laps; Zane Smith 2 times for 3 laps; Stewart Friesen 1 time for 2 laps; Derek Kraus 1 time for 1 lap; Austin Hill(i) 1 time for 1 lap.<\/p>\n

Stage #1 Top Ten: 4,18,52,51,38,23,66,15,32,16<\/p>\n

Stage #2 Top Ten: 4,99,18,98,88,22,16,19,7,66<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

  By Holly Cain NASCAR Wire Service DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. \u2013 A 19-car incident as the field approached the white flag signaling one lap to go instead sent Friday night\u2019s NextEra Energy 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season-opener into overtime where 22-year old Californian Zane Smith won under caution over defending series champion Ben […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":676,"featured_media":37058,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[11],"tags":[287,16,160,783],"class_list":["post-37036","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-nascar","tag-daytona-international-speedway","tag-nascar","tag-nascar-camping-world-truck-series","tag-zane-smith"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/racedaysa.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/GettyImages-1371423525-scaled-e1645248664271.jpg?fit=640%2C427&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p7hzTZ-9Dm","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37036","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/676"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=37036"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37036\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":37060,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/37036\/revisions\/37060"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/37058"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=37036"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=37036"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/racedaysa.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=37036"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}