KANSAS CITY, Kan: For a time in Saturday night’s Heart of America 200 at Kansas Speedway it appeared that Chandler Smith would suffer a third consecutive NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race of disappointment, but this season’s Las Vegas (Nev.) Speedway recovered from his early race setbacks and charged to a top-five finish.
After finishing fourth in Stage 1 in his No. 18 ChargeMe Toyota Tundra Pro for Kyle Busch Motorsports, Smith’s truck stumbled under the caution flag – shutting off his engine with Smith informing crew chief Danny Stockman Jr. that he believed he was out of fuel.
Smith was finally able to make it back to pit road but lost his lead lap status because of the issue putting him deep inside the top-25 for the restart of Stage 2.
Methodically binding his time, Smith stayed ahead of the rest of his competitors one lap down and was able to earn the free pass at the conclusion of Stage 2 which allowed the Talking Rock, Ga. native to pass the caution truck, circle the 1.5-mile, and find himself back on the lead lap.
Restarting 22nd and a fast No. 18 ChargeMe Toyota Tundra Pro underneath him, Smith patiently aggressively worked his way from the back of the pack to 12th when the caution waved at Lap 91 for Kris Wright.
With the yellow flag waving at the opportune time for pit stops, Smith brought his race truck to the attention of Stockman and his team where he received four tires, fuel and an adjustment to the finish.
Shortly after the restart, Smith vaulted back inside the top-five until the caution flag waved 12 laps shy of the finish.
A chaotic restart sent trucks scrambling, including Smith’s No. 18 Kyle Busch Motorsports Toyota Tundra Pro. Still, he emerged from the scene without a scratch and attempted to hunt down the leading three trucks of Zane Smith, Ty Majeski and Grant Enfinger, but the 20-year-old ran out of lap and had to settle for fourth at the checkered flag.
The finish was Smith’s first top-five finish since finishing fifth at Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in March and reverted the team’s course after tough outings in the most recent Truck Series races at the Bristol (Tenn.) Motor Speedway Dirt Track and last Friday night at Darlington (S.C.) Raceway.
After the race, Smith was happy to have some luck shine on his No. 18 team for a change.
“It was crazy,” offered Smith of his race. “Had to be calm, cool and collected. That’s what makes championship-caliber teams and tonight we definitely showed that we are that.
“Really proud of all the guys at KBM (Kyle Busch Motorsports). They really brought me a fast ChargeMe | Quick Type Products Toyota Tundra.”
Smith delivered new partner ChargeMe their best outing in their second Truck Series race as the primary partner of his No. 18 Toyota Tundra Pro.
“Really proud to have ChargeMe onboard the Tundra this race,” he added. “I’m really excited for them to get their first top-five in the NASCAR series. We’ve got a bunch of them here tonight, so really proud to represent them, guys.”
Despite the race hiccups, Smith said there was no reason to be upset with his finish.
“We had some adversity tonight,” sounded Smith. “We went through it and we ended up p-4 (fourth). We charged to the front twice and I can’t be too upset with our performance.
“I appreciate all of my KBM (Kyle Busch Motorsports) crew. We’ve got a long few weeks coming up, and they’ve been busting their tails for it. It’s unbelievable the work ethic they have and it’s showing. We pulled through adversity tonight.
“That’s what championship-caliber teams do and that’s what we did tonight. I’m really looking forward going forward.”
Kansas concluded the second of an eight-week race stretch for the Truck Series.
Smith heads to Texas Motor Speedway on May 20th fourth in the Truck Series championship standings, 29 points behind leader Ben Rhodes.
Smith a three-time Truck Series winner is one of five drivers to triumph in Victory Lane this season.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01.
