Big damage for Chandler Smith. pic.twitter.com/4yusjbCdop
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 14, 2025
Chandler Smith and Helio Castroneves will not be racing their way into Sunday’s DAYTONA 500 via their Duel at Daytona International Speedway, after a major wreck in the opening laps.
Smith, driving the No. 66 Ford Mustang Dark Horse for Garage 66 (MBM Motorsports), was running in third place at the time of the incident, and was in a position to advance into ‘The Great American Race’.
The Talking Rock, Georiga-native was attempting to get down to the inside line, in front of Justin Haley, when the two drivers made contact, sending the No. 66 aggressively into the outside wall, taking a massive shunt.
Also collected in the incident were Ty Gibbs, Justin Haley, Bubba Wallace, JJ Yeley, and Helio Castroneves. Castroneves, a four-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, will be forced to take the ‘Open Exemption Provisional’ after failing to make the event under normal circumstances.
Castroneves will start 41st in Sunday’s Daytona 500, with Chandler Smith failing to qualify for the NASCAR Cup Series season-opener for the second time in his two attempts.
