Chandler Smith has 'holy shit' moment after winning Bristol Truck Series race

When you win a NASCAR Truck Series race at Bristol over Kyle Larson, that’s a big deal. Chandler Smith knows that. To do it when you only got your ride and team put together in January- now that takes talent.

Chandler Smith led the most laps tonight at Bristol. His truck, time and time again, took off of the restart line like it was shot out of a cannon. Smith was fantastic tonight and secured his first win for Front Row Motorsports.

This No. 38 team didn’t even exist at the beginning of the year. Smith was set to work for his dad’s construction company and maybe find a ride here or there this season. Now, he’s locked into the Truck Series playoffs.

After the win tonight, Smith processed it all on the frontstretch. Speaking to Josh Sims, Smith could barely believe it.

“I am more excited for this team than I am for myself,” Smith said. “This group came together – we hired my crew chief two, like three weeks before Daytona, like, take that in for a second. This group just got assembled literally in January. The good Lord works in mysterious ways. My life’s been really, really crazy here recently, and there was a lot of unknowns about my future going into the season.

“You know, we kind of had our backs against the wall about just putting a group together last minute, but holy shit. I wouldn’t want any different other group than I got behind me. This No. 38, Quick Tie Products Ford F-150 was on a damn rail tonight.”

Chandler Smith came back down to the Truck Series. He came back to win. This is a chance for him to prove that he deserves to be in the Xfinity Series and, maybe one day, the Cup Series.

Chandler Smith thanks the fans

With his pit crew behind him, Chandler Smith was basking in the win. Finally, he thanked the crowd. Rain, cold weather, and even a slight snow flurry at one point tonight. Bristol threw everything at the crowd and they stuck it out.

“Thank you guys for coming out. The weather sucks and you guys put up with it,” Smith told the fans. “Thank you so much, Bristol! You guys are the best.”

When lining up for the final restart, Kyle Larson and Layne Riggs were behind him with fresher tires. Corey Heim was right there on the front row on the same tire strategy as Smith. That didn’t shake Smith’s confidence, but it made him a bit nervous. It would make anyone nervous.

So, a win early in the season and a ton of momentum. That is what Chandler Smith is working with, heading to Rockingham. Is he the one to challenge Corey Heim for the regular season championship and the Truck Series championship in Phoenix?

Let’s not forget about Ty Majeski just because he hasn’t had the flashy finishes the last few weeks. This Truck Series season is going to be a lot of fun.