Chandler Smith raced to his inaugural career victory at Daytona International Speedway on Friday, February 13, 2026, as Front Row Motorsports kicked off the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series season with a powerful showing. This Front Row Motorsports race report details Smith’s achievement, Layne Riggs’ eventful night, and the team’s outlook following an intense opener at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.
Smith Triumphs in an Action-Packed Season Opener
The first race on the 2026 NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series calendar, the Fresh From Florida 250, spanned 102 laps and lasted just over two hours at the iconic Daytona International Speedway. Front Row Motorsports entered the competition with high expectations, fielding Chandler Smith in the No. 38 entry and Layne Riggs in the No. 34 truck.
Chandler Smith started 10th and charged through the field, especially after surging from a 31st place finish in Stage One to win Stage Two. His decisive push in the final laps clinched not just his maiden win at Daytona, but also the 16th Truck Series victory for Front Row Motorsports and the team’s third triumph at this legendary venue. Smith now sits atop the early points standings, reinforcing his position as a championship contender.
Reflecting on the dramatic race and his team’s crucial support, Smith said,
“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. 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, No. 38 Driver
Layne Riggs Faces Setbacks but Remains Optimistic
Teammate Layne Riggs began the Daytona race from the 35th spot, working tirelessly to move up the field. Progress was evident early, as Riggs finished Stage One in 15th and climbed to second by the end of Stage Two. Unfortunately, his race was derailed after he suffered a cut tire, forcing him three laps down and ultimately resulting in a 31st-place finish. Despite the adversity, Riggs holds 22nd in the points standings and maintains confidence in his team’s ability to rebound.
After the checkered flag, Riggs congratulated Smith and maintained a forward-looking attitude:
“First off, congratulations to Chandler Smith and the No. 38 team. It’s a great start to the season for the organization to have one of our trucks in Victory Lane. Today just wasn’t our day for the No. 34 group. We struggled with handling and overall speed early in the race, and just as we got it to a more manageable spot, we cut a tire and went three laps down. There are still some early-season kinks to work through as we get back into the rhythm, but it’s a long season, and every race is a new opportunity to win and gain points.”
– Layne Riggs, No. 34 Driver
Front Row Motorsports: A Team with a Winning Pedigree
Since its founding by Bob Jenkins in 2004, Front Row Motorsports has built an impressive reputation in both the NASCAR Cup Series and the Truck Series. Achievements include a coveted Daytona 500 victory in 2021 and the CRAFTSMAN Truck Series title in 2022. Operating from Mooresville, N.C., Front Row fields teams in both series, including the No. 38 Ford truck piloted by Smith and the No. 34 driven by Riggs, reflecting the organization’s depth and determination to excel on stock car racing’s biggest stages.
Looking Ahead: Early Momentum and Season Prospects
With this victory, Chandler Smith moves to first in the point standings, providing both momentum and motivation for the rest of the 25-race season. Front Row Motorsports has once again demonstrated its strength at superspeedways, and with drivers like Smith and Riggs at the wheel, the team looks set for an exciting 2026 campaign. Fans and industry observers will be closely watching as the series heads to its next chapter, where every point and finish will matter in the run up to the championship.
