Chandler Smith wins wild Daytona Truck race

Crashes and drama highlight annual NASCAR event at Daytona International Speedway.

Feb. 14, 2026 at 9:23am

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The NASCAR Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway on Friday night was a wild affair, with multiple crashes and dramatic moments throughout the event. Chandler Smith emerged victorious after navigating the chaos to take the checkered flag.

Why it matters

The Daytona Truck race is traditionally one of the most exciting and unpredictable events on the NASCAR calendar, with the high speeds and close racing at the iconic superspeedway leading to frequent crashes and an anything-can-happen atmosphere.

The details

Chandler Smith held off a hard-charging field to claim the victory, his second career Truck Series win. Several top drivers, including defending champion John Hunter Nemechek, were involved in crashes during the race, adding to the drama and unpredictability of the event.

  • The NASCAR Truck Series race took place on Friday, February 14, 2026 at Daytona International Speedway.

The players

Chandler Smith

The 24-year-old driver earned his second career NASCAR Truck Series victory with the win at Daytona.

John Hunter Nemechek

The defending Truck Series champion was involved in a crash during the race at Daytona.

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What they’re saying

“That was one of the craziest Truck races I've ever been a part of. I'm just glad we were able to come out on top.”

— Chandler Smith, NASCAR Truck Series driver

What’s next

The NASCAR Truck Series will continue its 2026 season next weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The takeaway

The annual Daytona Truck race once again delivered the thrills and unpredictability that make it one of the most anticipated events on the NASCAR calendar, with Chandler Smith emerging victorious after navigating the chaos.