Hettinger Racing has signed Chandler Smith to compete in its No. 5 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for the upcoming O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races on March 7 at Phoenix Raceway and March 14 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. This announcement marks a major development in Hettinger Racing NASCAR news, as Smith’s extensive experience is set to strengthen the newly-formed team’s performance on two of the series’ most challenging tracks.
Chandler Smith Brings Winning Pedigree
Although only 23 years old, Chandler Smith stands out as a seasoned competitor with multiple victories across NASCAR’s top developmental series. As a Ford Racing driver, he holds three triumphs in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and eight in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, including a recent win at Daytona International Speedway on February 13. Additionally, Smith boasts 10 career wins in the ARCA Menards Series, solidifying his reputation as an adaptable and skilled racer.
Team owner Chris Hettinger expressed his confidence in Smith’s capabilities:
“It’s been a pretty steep learning curve so far this season and putting Chandler in our racecar will hopefully make the curve a little less steep these next two weeks,”
said Chris Hettinger, Team Owner.
“Chandler’s young, but he brings a lot of experience to our organization. He knows how to win, and he just proved it a few weeks back at Daytona. His expertise and his feedback will be a major plus for us so we can get better, faster.”
Key Races at Phoenix and Las Vegas
This Saturday at Phoenix Raceway, Smith will make his milestone 70th start in the O’Reilly Series during the GOVX 200, a race he previously won in 2024. His track record at Phoenix is impressive; he secured wins there in March 2020 during the ARCA series and in November 2021 in the Truck Series. With four career O’Reilly Series races at both Phoenix and Las Vegas, Smith averages a 4.8 finish at Phoenix and 3.5 at Las Vegas, consistently finishing within the top five except for a single eighth-place finish in Phoenix (November 2023) and a fourth-place result in Las Vegas as his worst.
Smith’s Perspective on the Opportunity
Chandler Smith shared his enthusiasm for joining Hettinger Racing while the Truck Series is in a break:
“I love to race, and with the Truck Series off these next two weeks, the opportunity to race in the O’Reilly Series was an easy one,”
said Chandler Smith, Driver.
“Plus, anytime you can step into a new program and help it grow is pretty rewarding. It’s impressive to see Chris’ commitment to competing at this level. He wants more and I want more for him. Definitely looking forward to seeing what we can do together.”
Smith also highlighted the comfort and confidence he feels at the two upcoming tracks:
“Phoenix and Las Vegas are two tracks where from the moment I got there, I felt comfortable. I understood what I needed out of the car and that allowed me to find speed and find it quickly,”
said Chandler Smith, Driver.
“Between my past O’Reilly and Truck Series starts at both tracks, I’ve got a pretty good benchmark of where that No. 5 Ford Mustang should be when it comes time for the race.”
Momentum from a Successful Season
Currently, Smith competes fulltime in the Truck Series for Front Row Motorsports. The Talking Rock, Georgia, native leads the championship standings by 34 points over Ben Rhodes. His victories in both Phoenix (2021) and Las Vegas (2022) in the Truck Series demonstrate past success at the very tracks where he will now represent Hettinger Racing.
“Right now, I feel like I’m in a really good place as a driver,”
said Chandler Smith, Driver.
“Winning at Daytona and leading the points gives you a lot of confidence. Our Truck program at Front Row has a ton of momentum, and when you’re in that rhythm, you want to keep racing. I’m looking forward to these next two weeks with Hettinger Racing.”
Schedule and Broadcast Details
Smith’s debut in Hettinger Racing’s No. 5 Ford Mustang begins with O’Reilly Series practice at Phoenix on Friday at 5 p.m. MST (7 p.m. EST), followed by qualifying at 6:05 p.m. MST (8:05 p.m. EST). The GOVX 200 is scheduled for Saturday at 5:30 p.m. MST (7:30 p.m. EST), with live coverage on The CW and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, allowing fans to follow the debut of this promising driver-team combination.
With Chandler Smith’s record of achievement and his passion for racing, Hettinger Racing looks poised for a strong showing in Phoenix and Las Vegas. This partnership not only boosts their chances in the upcoming races but also signifies an important step forward for the young organization as it seeks to establish itself in the competitive world of NASCAR.
