DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.: After the Bluegreen Vacation Duels on Thursday night, Zane Smith was excited to get to the Great American Race, the Daytona 500.
Feeling that he learned a lot, the No. 71 Spire Motorsports driver brought that experience to the track today and it showed.
Starting in the 14th position in his WeatherTech Chevrolet, the Sunoco Rookie of the Year Contender would run as high as 10th place in the first stage of the race at the famed Daytona International Speedway.
Coming to pit road at the end of Stage 1, Smith would tell the team that he was having no problems with the handling so it was a routine but very slow stop for a set of new Goodyear tires and fuel.
Getting ready to take the green flag for the start of Stage 2, Smith would restart deep in the field in the 30th position.
Climbing his way through the field and rising to the seventh position, the Huntington Beach, Calif. native would come to pit road for Sunoco Fuel only and return to the track once again in the 30th position.
In an uneventful Stage and finishing in 29th place, Smith would tell his team once again that the car was handling well, so fuel and four tires would be the plan to start Stage 3.
A different intensity set the stage for the field for the start of Stage 3 and as true to form as the Daytona 500 is, the big one came on Lap 192.
A total of 23 cars were involved in the wreck that would bring out the caution, but the No. 71 Chevrolet came through unscathed and came back to the line in the ninth position.
With four laps to go, the field would come to the green for what would be the last run to the checkered flag, but on the last lap, as the white flag was displayed, another wreck ensued and brought out the caution.
Smith would be slammed pretty hard in the door but continued on as they sorted out the field and ended the 66th annual Daytona 500 in 13th place.
“That was an intense race and we avoided two big crashes, finishing 13th,” said Smith. “I learned a lot through that race”
Pleased with how his Spire Motorsports team performed, Smith added, “I’m super happy with how our team executed Daytona.
“I had a really fast WeatherTech Chevrolet Camaro and the guys worked hard all off-season to bring a fast car to the track. We have great momentum heading into Atlanta this weekend”
Next up for Smith is the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 25, 2024, at 2:30 pm ET.
Follow Grace Krenrich on Twitter at @grace3140 or email [email protected].
