Daytona Beach, FL – In a cruel twist of fate, Chandler Smith and MBM Motorsports saw their hopes of making the Daytona 500 come to a crashing halt in the closing laps of the Bluegreen Vacations Duel. After running impressively inside the top five, Smith was caught up in a multi-car wreck that also collected Helio Castroneves, Ty Gibbs, and Justin Haley, ending their nights in dramatic fashion.
A Cinderella Story Cut Short
Driving for the underdog MBM Motorsports, Smith shocked many by running near the front of the field for much of the race. His No. 66 Ford showed impressive speed, giving the team a real shot at locking into Sunday’s Daytona 500. But with just a handful of laps remaining, the dream came to an abrupt end when a chain-reaction crash swept up several contenders.
Smith was caught in the melee, suffering heavy damage that ultimately forced him to retire from the race. The heartbreak was evident, as MBM Motorsports was in position for what would have been a monumental achievement for the small operation.
“This one stings,” Smith said after being released from the infield care center. “We had a fast car, and I really thought we had a chance to race our way in. Just a tough deal.”
Other Contenders Taken Out
The incident also ended the night for four-time Indianapolis 500 winner Helio Castroneves, who was attempting to make his NASCAR Cup Series debut. Ty Gibbs and Justin Haley, both expected to be factors in the race, sustained significant damage as well, making for a frustrating start to their 2025 seasons.
As the checkered flag fell, the wreck proved to be a defining moment of the Duel, reshaping the field for the Daytona 500. For Chandler Smith and MBM Motorsports, it was a devastating end to what had looked like a storybook run.
