During the Sammy Smith NASCAR Phoenix race in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, Jeremy Clements expressed frustration after an intense on-track incident, vowing retribution against Smith for what he felt was unfair racing. The event, held in Phoenix, saw Clements running near the front before a late-race run-in and car handling issues relegated him to an 11th-place finish.
Clements’ Frustration Following On-Track Incident
Jeremy Clements was competitive throughout most of the race, consistently hovering around the top five. However, after losing some rear grip and being involved in a clash with Sammy Smith, his hopes for a top finish slipped away. Clements described his experience on the track:
“Lost some rear grip, especially off four there,”
Jeremy Clements, Driver – Frontstretch
He further detailed the pivotal moment involving Smith, stating:
“Then the 8, he used me up over there and about wrecked me. So I owe him one for sure.”
Jeremy Clements, Driver – Frontstretch
These remarks revealed Clements’ dissatisfaction and determination to repay Smith for the aggressive maneuver that impacted his result.
Progress with Haas Factory Team Alliance
Despite the podium eluding him, finishing 11th marked Clements’ strongest performance this season—an encouraging step up after results no higher than 29th in his previous three starts. His progress was partly attributed to a new technical partnership with the Haas Factory Team, which commenced ahead of the upcoming 2026 season. Clements shared optimistic views on this collaboration, noting an improved pace and performance from the newer Chevy cars:
“Haas Factory Team cars were pretty quick. Our Chevy was definitely quick on the long runs,”
Jeremy Clements, Driver – Frontstretch
He also acknowledged areas for further improvement, stating:
“And just got to clean some stuff up, get better, don’t lose so much track position sometimes. And just clean some things up, like I said. But we have a fast Chevy, long run, and there at the end didn’t think, those last cautions, was too loose, just needed more forward drive.”
Jeremy Clements, Driver – Frontstretch
Positive Outlook Despite Setback
While the incident with Smith dampened Clements’ mood, he remained buoyed by the performance gains evident with his latest equipment. He reflected on the advantages of the new cars and his outlook for the season:
“Oh most definitely. These are way faster cars than I’ve been driving,”
Jeremy Clements, Driver – Frontstretch
Highlighting the improvements, he said:
“My cars were 10 years old at this point and seen a lot of age on them, a lot of wear and tear. These are way newer cars and the cars are just faster. We knew going in that we should be able to run toward the front. I think we showed that tonight, I think you’ll see that more often this year for sure.”
Jeremy Clements, Driver – Frontstretch
Anticipation for the Las Vegas Race
With the Phoenix race behind him, Clements looks ahead to the upcoming challenge at Las Vegas. Motivated by his improved pace, he anticipates more consistent runs near the front. He spoke optimistically about his prospects:
“I think they should be fast again,”
Jeremy Clements, Driver – Frontstretch
Referencing fellow competitors and their success at Las Vegas, Clements added:
“I know Ryan’s cars ran good there and 00, 41 are always fast. So as long as we do what they do we should be fine. And I’m looking forward to driving it there.”
Jeremy Clements, Driver – Frontstretch
This attitude highlights his energetic and passionate approach as the season moves forward.
Significance and Next Steps
Jeremy Clements’ strong showing at Phoenix and his fiery exchange with Sammy Smith bring attention to the competitive atmosphere of the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. As Clements adapts to upgraded cars through his partnership with the Haas Factory Team, his confidence is rising, and expectations are higher. The fallout from Phoenix and anticipation of possible on-track retaliation add an extra edge as the series heads to Las Vegas, promising an eventful continuation to the NASCAR season.
"I owe him one for sure." – @JClements51 is not happy with @sammysmithSS following the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Phoenix Raceway.
Presenting Partner: @MyPlaceHotels pic.twitter.com/JSbBMHe3FO
— Frontstretch (@Frontstretch) March 8, 2026
