Zane Smith got here up simply in need of successful the Daytona 500 however a sixth-place end mixed with a victory within the first stage leaves his No. 38 Entrance Row Motorsports staff fourth within the early championship standings.
That is extra an vital outcome than at any level of the previous decade as a result of a superb factors day very a lot has worth underneath the restored Chase for the Championship arising in September.
Commercial
Below the win and also you’re in format, leaving Daytona fourth within the standings didn’t have a lot worth as a result of a driver like Smith racing for Entrance Row would have to be nicely contained in the top-10 to make the playoffs with no victory.
Now, this can be a banked outcome, as a result of the ultimate top-16 within the common season standings all qualify for The Chase and shall be seeded by their outcomes over the primary 26.
“I believe I scored 41 factors, which is a superb day for us, and the way our season begins is it’s undoubtedly a superspeedway and considerably a superspeedway,” Smith stated of Daytona and Atlanta that follows. “However what I’m getting at is quite a bit can go incorrect in these two races the way you begin out, and I believe we’ve acquired a highway course subsequent, so only a robust begin is so vital to get these useful factors and hopefully carry that into these extra regular racetracks arising, like Phoenix and Vegas, the place hopefully we have now a few of that constructive momentum nonetheless going the place you get to exit later in qualifying.”
Commercial
Zane Smith, Entrance Row Motorsports Ford
Zane Smith, Entrance Row Motorsports Ford
The purpose Smith makes right here is that qualifying order is partially dictated by the championship standings. The upper in factors exit close to the top when the observe has probably the most grip and the potential of a better beginning spot and pit choice is larger.
So, whereas Smith nonetheless desires nothing lower than to attain his first victory on the highest stage, there are different huge footage to think about underneath The Chase for the Championship format.
Commercial
“To me, I’m searching for my first win, so I’m as hungry as ever and going to be as aggressive as ever to perform that, however, on the similar time, I sound like a damaged file saying it, however consistency goes to be all the things this 12 months,” Smith stated. “I really feel like these days of men who possibly have a ton of velocity each week after which wreck and probably not care as a result of they will, I really feel like these days are simply lengthy gone.
“I’m attempting to reap the benefits of that and simply possibly attempt to be smarter and make my unhealthy days not so unhealthy and making my good days good, the place we get some stage factors like we did and placing ourselves in rivalry. I really feel like that’s all I can do. I’d like to be a reputation on this Chase, however, on the similar time, we’re taking it one week at a time and simply attempting to roll with them on that.”
A shot on the Daytona 500 winJoey Logano, Crew Penske Ford, Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing Toyota, Zane Smith, Entrance Row Motorsports Ford
Joey Logano, Crew Penske Ford, Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing Toyota, Zane Smith, Entrance Row Motorsports Ford
With all of that stated, Smith wasn’t desirous about factors on Sunday evening, difficult Chase Elliott for the lead within the Daytona 500. Finally, the ultimate laps had been simply chaotic and it was each man for himself.
Commercial
His fellow Ford mates within the image, Brad Keselowki and Joey Logano every made strikes that served their greatest pursuits however the identical was true of Elliott, Riley Herbst and eventual winner Tyler Reddick too.
And Smith wasn’t simply going to push Elliott, both.
“Happily, I’m not wired that solution to simply push somebody throughout the road and never go for a Daytona 500 win,” Smith stated. “If I knew (Reddick) and (Herbst) had been as linked as they had been, I don’t know, I assume possibly attempt to shove (Elliott) or keep as shut as I can down the entrance stretch and hopefully them two are actually linked and a foul block or two will get thrown into the equation and possibly I may go backside or one thing, however that’s so exhausting to say.
Commercial
“The percentages are form of stacked the place I needed to keep in second and anticipate the 45 to return with an enormous run. Who is aware of what occurs, so I used to be attempting to regulate my very own future and attempt to again as much as assist as we did all day, and I really feel like anybody would do – not simply accept second within the Daytona 500.”
Regardless, this was a superb day for Smith, they usually have actual huge image momentum and the same alternative at Atlanta.
“It was actually cool to get a stage win and finally depart with an ideal end and a few nice factors scored,” Smith stated. “It was only a nice automobile and quite a bit to be happy with and it simply makes me that rather more excited for the superspeedways all through this 12 months and clearly considerably one this weekend, however I’m gonna be actually hungry for a Daytona 500 subsequent 12 months and hopefully we are able to carry this momentum all year long and rating a win or two.”
Commercial
Learn Additionally:
To learn extra Motorsport.com articles .
