Chandler Smith replaces Mike Wallace, will attempt Daytona 500 with Garage 66
How about this? Chandler Smith is going to attempt to make the NASCAR Daytona 500 with Garage 66, replacing Mike Wallace as the driver of the No. 66 Ford. Smith, who will take on the full Craftsman Truck Series schedule, was almost out of the sport at the end of 2024.
Now, Chandler Smith has a full-time ride with Front Row Motorsports in the Truck Series and a Daytona 500 entry. That is a pretty damn good turn around.
Smith last attempted to make the Daytona 500 in 2023 with Kaulig Racing, he failed to do so. However, he has a career best in the Cup Series of P11 at Talladega from that season. He also finished P15 at the Daytona race in the summer.
Sponsorship from Quick Tie will have this Ford Mustang Dark Horse looking very familiar to Smith’s previous rides.
While Chandler Smith is going back down to the Truck Series in 2025, don’t mistake that for poor performance. He won two Xfinity Series races last season and in the final 12 races of the year, he had an average finish of 4.91, earning three pole awards in that time as well.
Talent is oozing from Smith, but the funding doesn’t always stack up to others. Which makes this Daytona 500 entry even more intriguing. A team looking for a last minute replacement can’t be beggars and a driver without a lot of funding can’t be picky, either.
If Chandler Smith is able to take Garage 66 into the 2025 Daytona 500 field, it could be his greatest accomplishment as a driver yet. On top of that, let’s be honest, he’s a complete upgrade over 65-year-old Mike Wallace.
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Chandler Smith lands at Garage 66 amid controversy
When Mike Wallace was denied entry into the Daytona 500, it was a big deal. At least, for Garage 66/MBM Motorsports and Wallace it was. Many in the media and online could see why NASCAR made the decision they made given the circumstances.
As for Chandler Smith, we know he’s ready. He showed it two years ago as a 20 year old when he saddled up for multiple top-20 finishes in the Cup Series. Yes, he didn’t qualify for the 500 that year, but I bet he’s learned a lot between now and then.
Garage 66 is going to have low expectations. There are likely going to be as many as 10 open entries. That means a handful of drivers are going to go home without a spot in the Daytona 500. Smith very well could miss the field again.
On the other hand, Chandler Smith is a hungry driver. He was almost out of a ride completely until Front Row added a second Truck Series team for him to drive. So, he has to make the most of his opportunity. That could be good news for Garage 66.