Chandler Smith clinched a dramatic win at Daytona International Speedway during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series opener, making a major statement in the 2024 season with his teamwork and timing. The Chandler Smith Daytona victory unfolded on Friday night in the Fresh From Florida 250 after a high-energy final lap that saw Smith surge from outside the top five to the lead with help from Ty Majeski.
Late-Race Drama Delivers Stunning Finish
The closing moments of the race kept audiences on the edge, as a green-white-checker finish set the stage for a wild sprint to the checkered flag. In the final quarter of the last lap, Smith expertly moved his No. 38 TrophyCatch Ford to the inside, capitalizing on a gap in traffic as drivers jostled through the tri-oval. Ty Majeski, piloting the No. 88 Ideal Doors/Menards F-150, lined up directly behind him, providing a decisive push that catapulted Smith into the lead. Majeski’s assistance proved crucial, allowing Smith to pass rivals and secure his eighth career victory in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. Majeski went on to finish fourth, cementing a strong team performance for Ford.
Strong Results for Ford Drivers
Ford racers enjoyed a competitive showing at Daytona. Chandler Smith claimed the top spot, while Ty Majeski bagged fourth place after his race-changing push. Other Ford drivers cementing their presence in the event included Ben Rhodes in twelfth, Cole Butcher in fourteenth, Frankie Muniz in sixteenth, and Josh Reaume in twentieth. Further down the order, Layne Riggs, Jake Garcia, Jason White, and Corey LaJoie finished thirty-first, thirty-second, thirty-third, and thirty-fourth respectively, highlighting the depth of Ford’s field at this season’s opener.
Inside the Triumph: Teamwork and Strategy
Chandler Smith emphasized the support and preparation behind his Daytona success, attributing much of the win to his teammates and the Ford Racing group. He reflected on the offseason improvements made by the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports crew and expressed excitement for the team’s progress. A pivotal moment in the race occurred as the field scattered and the bottom line opened up, creating the perfect opportunity for Smith and Majeski to connect and drive toward the finish.
“First off, I want to shout out all glory to God. Without Him, none of this would be possible. And I am super, super grateful that I serve such a loving God that blessed me with such a good group of men and women around me at Front Row Motorsports. Ty Majeski, one of my best four teammates I’ve ever worked with. He is all credit to how we just won that race truthfully. He stayed committed to a Ford and pushed a Blue Oval to a win. Just super, super grateful for everybody on this No. 38 Ford F-150 group. We made some changes in the off-season. I felt like last year everybody for the most part knows how this 38 group came together last year, but we built on it and made this group so much better for this year, and I’m so excited for 2026.”
– Chandler Smith, Driver, No. 38 TrophyCatch Ford F-150
“I was surprised the 62 didn’t block it. I was just — the seas literally just parted, and the 88 stayed committed to me, and like I said, thank you, thank you, thank you, Ty Majeski. Definitely got to owe you one on that one.”
– Chandler Smith, Driver, No. 38 TrophyCatch Ford F-150
Ford Racing’s Collaborative Tactics
Ty Majeski’s role went beyond his finishing position, as his coordinated efforts embodied Ford Racing’s unity. Majeski shed light on the strategic planning that goes on behind the scenes, with drivers aligning their efforts to maximize Ford’s chances for the win at marquee events like Daytona.
“Us Ford Racing guys, we stay together. We have meetings before this, and we want to be a good example for Ford. We see it on Sundays all the time. And, we had a good meeting this morning and we all wanted to stick together. If we could help a Blue Oval, we did it. Obviously, we want to win for ourselves. I don’t know that there was really a position I could have put myself into to win. We were just so far behind, and my only chance to finish better was to push the 38. Glad we could help a Ford get to Victor Lane. Just very blessed to be in the spot, taking over the Menards 88 for ThorSport this year. Great way to start off the season with stage points in both stages, and sat on the pole, and solid top five finished going to Atlanta. So a great way to start the season.”
– Ty Majeski, Driver, No. 88 Ideal Doors/Menards Ford F-150
What This Victory Means Moving Forward
Chandler Smith’s Daytona victory not only sets a positive tone for his season but also highlights the potential of Front Row Motorsports and the strength of Ford Racing’s collaborative approach. As the series moves to Atlanta, competitors like Ty Majeski and other Ford drivers will aim to build on this momentum. For Smith, the win affirms the value of offseason preparation, loyal teamwork, and seizing the right moment—a strategy that could shape the 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series.
