Chandler Smith Wins NASCAR Truck Race at Daytona in Four-Wide Finish

The 23-year-old Georgia driver beat out Gio Ruggiero, Christian Eckes, Ty Majeski and John Hunter Nemechek in a dramatic overtime finish.

Published on Feb. 14, 2026

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In a wild overtime finish to kick off the 2026 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series season, Chandler Smith beat Gio Ruggiero, Christian Eckes, Ty Majeski and John Hunter Nemechek in a four-wide photo finish to win Friday's Fresh From Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway. The 23-year-old from Talking Rock, Georgia, was in sixth entering the final lap but found an opening on the bottom lane in the final hundred feet to claim the victory.

Why it matters

The dramatic finish at Daytona sets the tone for an exciting start to the 2026 Truck Series season, with young drivers like Chandler Smith emerging as contenders. The race also featured a new record with 32 lead changes, the most ever in a Truck Series event at the iconic superspeedway.

The details

Smith was in sixth place entering the final lap, but managed to find a hole on the bottom lane in the closing moments to edge out Ruggiero, Eckes, Majeski and Nemechek in a four-wide photo finish. The victory comes just a day after Smith failed to make the Daytona 500 with Front Row Motorsports.

  • The Fresh From Florida 250 took place on Friday, February 14, 2026.

The players

Chandler Smith

A 23-year-old driver from Talking Rock, Georgia, who won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

Gio Ruggiero

The runner-up in the Daytona Truck Series race.

Christian Eckes

Finished third in the Daytona Truck Series race.

Ty Majeski

Placed fourth in the dramatic four-wide finish at Daytona.

John Hunter Nemechek

Rounded out the top five finishers in the Daytona Truck Series race.

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What they’re saying

“I was surprised the 62 didn't block it. The seas literally just parted. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ty Majeski.”

— Chandler Smith (Fox Sports)

“It was tight there at the end of the race. Everybody's just trying to do whatever it takes to win. I think as group we kneed to do better as Toyotas.”

— Gio Ruggiero (Yardbarker)

“Pretty frustrated with myself. Just hard to cover all the lanes there.”

— John Hunter Nemechek (Yardbarker)

What’s next

The next Truck Series race is scheduled for February 28, 2026 at Atlanta Motor Speedway.

The takeaway

Chandler Smith's dramatic victory at Daytona showcases the exciting and unpredictable nature of NASCAR's Truck Series, with young drivers like Smith emerging as rising stars in the sport.