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WATCH: Chandler Smith Wins his First Truck Series Race to Qualify for the Next Playoff Round
Earlier, the NASCAR Truck Series race at Bristol concluded. At this Playoff race, Chandler Smith took his maiden Truck Series win and secured his berth in the next Playoff round. Although it was his first career win, it could not have come at a better time for the driver.
Smith triumphed ahead of Grant Enfinger and his own teammate, John Hunter Nemechek. Admittedly, it was a slightly messy race for the winner, as he collided with his rivals a couple of times. Among his victims was pole-sitter Sheldon Creed, and the two were tussling for the lead.
Things came to a head in the final five laps of the Bristol race. To be precise, Smith dove down the inside of Creed’s Chevrolet for the race lead during a restart. However, the #2 driver was not going down without a fight, and he put up a huge one. In the end, everything ended in tears for the pole man.
How clutch is this? @CSmithDrive‘s first win comes in a must-win scenario in the #NASCARPlayoffs! pic.twitter.com/BEdUwEB02s
— NASCAR Camping World Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) September 17, 2021
What happened to Chandler Smith after the incident?
Chandler seemed relatively moved following his victory. This is what he had to say.
“I’m speechless right now,” Smith said. “I’ve really been tested this last year or two and tested my faith. I have to thank everyone behind me. This is just incredible. It finally paid off. I’m just so happy right now. I think any other driver that was in my situation would have done the exact same thing. If you wouldn’t have done that, I think you’re in the sport for the wrong reasons.”
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 15: Chandler Smith, driver of the #51 iBUYPOWER Toyota, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 15, 2019 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
In the immediate aftermath, Creed came away with a cut on his left rear tire and spun. In the end, Creed could only muster a disappointing 19th place finish. Meanwhile, Chandler Smith had problems of his own at the front. This was because he had to fend off teammate Nemechek and ThorSport’s Grant Enfinger. Eventually, he triumphed over his rivals and snatched a glorious maiden win.
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