In a wild turn of events, an incident between race leaders Sammy Smith and Taylor Gray ended the day for David Gilliland Racing’s No. 71, and put a bump in the road for the afternoon of Kyle Busch Motorsports No. 18.
Smith, who led 49 of the race’s 50 laps, was held one lap by ARCA Menards Series officials, after it was determined that he acted in retaliation against Gray.
CALAMITY ON THE RESTART!@TaylorGray17_ and @connerjones88 crash while battling @sammysmithSS for the race lead!@FloRacing | @phoenixraceway pic.twitter.com/DM5YIoG8ZF
— ARCA Menards Series (@ARCA_Racing) November 4, 2022
Among Smith’s pure dominance in the ARCA Menards Series events he’s entered this season, the Toyota Racing Development pilot has had on-track incidents with both Taylor Gray and Jesse Love throughout the season.
With Smith’s penalty, and Gray’s retirement from the race, Andres Perez de Lara has been moved into the lead of the event, in his attempt to win his career race in the ARCA Menards Series West.
