Zane Smith got here up simply wanting profitable 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 factors day very a lot has worth beneath the restored Chase for the Championship arising in September.
Underneath 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 must be effectively contained in the top-10 to make the playoffs and not using a victory.
Now, it is a banked outcome, as a result of the ultimate top-16 within the common season standings all qualify for The Chase and will probably be seeded by their outcomes over the primary 26.
“I feel 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 mentioned of Daytona and Atlanta that follows. “However what I’m getting at is rather a lot can go mistaken in these two races the way you begin out, and I feel we’ve received a highway course subsequent, so only a sturdy begin is so vital to get these helpful 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 optimistic momentum nonetheless going the place you get to exit later in qualifying.”
Zane Smith, Entrance Row Motorsports Ford
Photograph by: Sean Gardner / Getty Pictures
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 monitor has probably the most grip and the potential of a better beginning spot and pit choice is bigger.
So, whereas Smith nonetheless needs nothing lower than to attain his first victory on the highest degree, there are different massive photos to think about beneath The Chase for the Championship format.
“To me, I’m in search of 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 report saying it, however consistency goes to be every thing this yr,” Smith mentioned. “I really feel like these days of men who possibly have a ton of velocity each week after which wreck and not likely care as a result of they’ll, 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 dangerous days not so dangerous 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 might 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 win
Joey Logano, Group Penske Ford, Riley Herbst, 23XI Racing Toyota, Zane Smith, Entrance Row Motorsports Ford
Photograph by: Kevin C. Cox by way of Getty Pictures
With all of that mentioned, Smith wasn’t fascinated by factors on Sunday night time, difficult Chase Elliott for the lead within the Daytona 500. In the end, the ultimate laps had been simply chaotic and it was each man for himself.
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 approach to simply push somebody throughout the road and never go for a Daytona 500 win,” Smith mentioned. “If I knew (Reddick) and (Herbst) had been as related 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 related and a nasty block or two will get thrown into the equation and possibly I may go backside or one thing, however that’s so laborious to say.
“The chances are sort of stacked the place I needed to keep in second and look ahead to the 45 to come back 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 day for Smith, and so they have actual massive image momentum and an identical alternative at Atlanta.
“It was actually cool to get a stage win and finally go away with a fantastic end and a few nice factors scored,” Smith mentioned. “It was only a nice automotive and rather a lot to be pleased with and it simply makes me that rather more excited for the superspeedways all through this yr and clearly considerably one this weekend, however I’m gonna be actually hungry for a Daytona 500 subsequent yr and hopefully we will carry this momentum all year long and rating a win or two.”
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