DAYTONA BEACH, Fla: Kaulig Racing had hoped to set a new milestone for Sunday’s Daytona 500 by successfully placing three NASCAR Cup Series cars in the “Great American Race.”
However, their efforts came up short after rookie Chandler Smith experienced a mechanical issue in Daytona 500 qualifying on Wednesday night then failed to recover from a speeding penalty during his Bluegreen Vacation Duel No. 1 Thursday night at the 2.5-mile superspeedway.
The double dose of setbacks proved too much to overcome and officially kicked the full-time NASCAR Xfinity Series driver from Sunday’s starting grid joining Austin Hill who also failed to qualify for NASCAR’s Super Bowl event.
Despite the heartbreak, Smith took the experience in stride and relied on his faith to help him digest and accept the misfortunate.
“Just taking an opportunity that Chris Rice and Matt Kaulig gave me there,” said Smith moments after his duel. “Before I said I’m fine if I don’t make it, but it would be awesome if I make it I believe everything happens for a reason. I’m I believer.”
Even though Smith dialed in just 60 laps of experience in the qualifying race, the five-time NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series winner cemented that the track time was priceless.
“I’m fine with this,” added Smith. “I had a lot of fun right there. I learned a lot, a lot, a lot, now I get what these guys talk about when you run on a Sunday you gain a lot of experience. That translates into Saturdays and Sundays.”
“Even from that one Duel I learned so, so much, which was awesome and I’m taking that in. Yeah, I just can’t thank everybody enough at Kaulig Racing, all the men and women that just put a full effort into coming down here and trying to attempt the Daytona 500 in a third car, first time as an organization.”
Smith hopes to return in a year with the Matt Kaulig-owned team and if he does, he hopes to make the field based on his qualifying speed and not rely on the unknowns of the duel races.
“We weren’t able to get it this year, but hopefully we can come back next year and make another attempt and get in on time.”
Smith’s weekend though isn’t over. On Saturday, the Talking Rock, Ga. native will make his Xfinity Series debut under the Kaulig Racing banner driving the No. 16 Chevrolet Camaro in the Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300.
Follow Chris Knight on Twitter @Knighter01 or email at: [email protected].
