Daytona Beach, FL – The dream of making the 2025 Daytona 500 came to a heartbreaking end for Chandler Smith, as the young driver failed to race his way into the field during the Bluegreen Vacations Duel at Daytona International Speedway.
Smith, driving the No. 66 Ford for MBM Motorsports, was in position to potentially claim a transfer spot before being caught up in a multi-car wreck late in the race. The crash ended his chances of advancing to Sunday’s Great American Race, dashing hopes of an underdog story for the small team.
A Promising Run Ends in Heartbreak
Smith had shown impressive speed throughout the Duel, running inside the top five and keeping himself in contention against more established teams. However, with just a handful of laps remaining, disaster struck as a multi-car crash swept up several contenders, including Helio Castroneves, Ty Gibbs, and Justin Haley.
The damage to Smith’s car was too severe to continue, eliminating him from contention and sealing his fate for the weekend.
Smith Reflects on the Disappointment
After being released from the infield care center, Smith expressed his frustration but also appreciation for the opportunity.
“We had such a strong car, and I really thought we had a chance to race our way in,” Smith said. “Just a tough break, but I’m thankful to MBM Motorsports for giving me this shot. We’ll move on and keep working toward the next opportunity.”
While Smith won’t be in the field for the Daytona 500, the 21-year-old remains a rising talent in NASCAR, with plenty of opportunities ahead. Whether it’s in the Xfinity Series, Truck Series, or another Cup Series shot down the road, this setback is just another chapter in his young career.
For now, the 2025 Daytona 500 will move forward without Chandler Smith, but his performance in the Duel proved he’s capable of competing at the highest level.
