Daytona truck race recap: Zane Smith wins as rain prevails

It's going to be the first truly busy day of NASCAR's 2023 season today at Daytona International Speedway. All three national series will be on the track, and the nightcap will be the Truck Series season opener.

The roar of the engines begins at 1:30 this afternoon with qualifying in the ARCA Series, to set the lineup for Saturday's season opener. During Thursday's practice session, longtime Hollywood actor Frankie Muniz, who's dabbled in racing but now is going full time, turned the fastest lap.

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Qualifying for tonight's Truck Series race follows at 3 p.m., with a 50-minute practice run for the Xfinity Series following at 4:30. That series cranks to life Saturday, late afternoon.

The first Cup Series practice of 2023 starts at 5:30, yes, after the big-league division has already had qualifying and two 150-mile qualifying races.

The evening's main event, the NextEra Energy 250 Truck Series race, gets the green flag at 7:44.

Race called: Zane Smith wins rain-shortened NextEra Energy 250

After another wave of rain thwarted NASCAR's track-drying efforts, the decision was made to end the NextEra Energy 250, 21 laps prematurely with Zane Smith the winner.

It was the second straight victory in the event for Smith, who claimed last year's Craftsman Truck Series championship and also qualified for the Daytona 500 during Thursday night's Due races.

"I knew these patches of rain were a thing in the Ford meeting earlier in the day," Smith said. "I didn't think it'd stick around this long, but just wanted to be there after Stage 2."

The event was marred by stoppages from the start. Rain brought out a caution flag just three laps in and by the end, seven yellow flags and three red flags waved over the course of 79 laps. Tanner Gray, Christian Eckes, Colby Howard and Grant Enfinger rounded out the top five. Chase Elliott finished 10th.

Trucks back on track then back off as rain plays havoc

Trucks were sent back onto the track just in time for the rain to return.

Six laps were ticked off under caution but by the end of the sixth, steady precipitation had returned, forcing trucks back onto pit road with the red flag flying for the third time with 21 laps remaining.

It's been a caution marred by stoppages with seven yellow flags in a race marred by crashes and weather.

Smith, the defending series and event winner, leads Tanner Gray, Christian Eckes, Colby Howard and Grant Enfinger. Eight cars have already bowed out due to crashes with Hailie Deegan, Daniel Dye and Rajah Caruth among them.

Rain brings out red flag with 27 laps to go, Zane Smith leading

For the second time the red flag has waved at Daytona International Speedway during the NextEra Energy 250.

Drivers have climbed from their trucks with Zane Smith, the reigning series champion and defending winner of the event out in front of Tanner Gray, Christian Eckes, Colby Howard and Grant Enfinger.

"I picked a good time to get to the lead," Smith said. "Man, this is the hardest rain I've ever seen in my life."

With just 27 laps remaining, the race is well past halfway and would be official, should NASCAR decide to end the event. The race has been marred by stoppages with two red flags and seven cautions having waved.

Christian Eckes and Tyler Ankrum won the first and second stage, respectively. Eight cars were shown out of the race including Hailie Deegan, Daniel Dye and Rajah Caruth.

Rain, caution return as Zane Smith leads

For the fifth time, rain has interfered with the NextEra Energy 250, bringing out the race's seventh caution flag with 32 laps to go.

Reigning Truck Series champ and defending event winner Zane Smith took the lead from Corey LaJoie just two laps prior, following a caution due to a crash involving Rajah Caruth, Daniel Dye and Matt DiBenedetto among others.

Weather brought out a caution flag just two laps in on Friday night and has been a hindrance throughout. Tanner Gray, Christian Eckes, Colby Howard and Grant Enfinger round out the top five.

Reigning champion Zane Smith takes the lead

Reigning Craftsman Truck Series champion and defending race winner Zane Smith took the lead from Corey LaJoie as the green flag waved, bringing an end to the sixth caution of the night.

Smith, who also qualified for the Daytona 500 via the Duels on Thursday, was out in front of Tanner Gray and Colby Howard with 35 laps to go.

Corey LaJoie still out front as sixth caution waves

Rajah Caruth got loose in the middle lane, spun and collected a handful of cars including Matt DiBenedetto and Daniel Dye, bringing out the race's sixth caution with 42 laps to go.

Dye, a native of DeLand making his Truck Series debut, was involved in an earlier crash as well. This time, his No. 43 truck was taken off by a wrecker. Caruth is also out of the race.

The yellow brough several cars to pit road but LaJoie stayed out, holding on to the lead.

Corey LaJoie leads the field back to green

After a minor delay for yet another rain stoppage, the green flag has waved again with Corey LaJoie leading the field.

A total of 24 of the race's first 47 laps were run under caution due to two crashes and rain showers. Chase Elliott had also made his way into the top five as the race crossed the halfway mark.

Tyler Ankrum wins Stage 2 as Stewart Friesen crashes on backstretch

Stewart Friesen moved high from second place to throw a block on Ben Rhodes and was spun into the outside retaining wall, sending Tyler Ankrum to the win at the end of Stage 2.

Ankrum was out front with double-file racing through the field behind him. Rhodes, the 2021 Series champion, also had damage from the incident.

It marked the second caution due to a crash in the first two stages with Hailie Deegan, Clay Greenfield and Dean Thompson being taken out with 71 laps to go. Three rain delays also plagued the early going.

Hailie Deegan released from care center as red flag lifted

After being swept up in a crash on Lap 29, Hailie Deegan was cleared and released from the infield care center.

“If you can get out of it, great, if you can’t, that’s kind of what’s expected,” she said. “Very few of them make it out of these superspeedway experiences.

“It happens.”

Clay Greenfield and Dean Thompson were also officially ruled out for the remainder of the race.

After a red flag due to the crash and a third passing shower, the trucks were re-fired and set out to make some caution laps. Tyler Ankrum leads with eight laps to go in Stage 2.

Hailie Deegan, Daniel Dye among those involved in crash, red flag waves

A massive crash on Lap 29 destroyed Hailie Deegan's car and involved several other drivers as well, including DeLand-native Daniel Dye, who was making his series debut.

While Dye suffered minor damage and may be able to continue, Deegan's night is likely through after a fourth-place finish in the first stage. Matt DiBenedetto, who finished third in Stage 1, also got damage as pit stops at the stage break mixed the field up.

A massive crash on Lap 29 destroyed Hailie Deegan's car and involved several other drivers as well, including DeLand-native Daniel Dye, who was making his series debut.

While Dye suffered minor damage and may be able to continue, Deegan's night is likely through after a fourth-place finish in the first stage. Matt DiBenedetto, who finished third in Stage 1, also got damage as pit stops at the stage break mixed the field up.

With 71 laps to go, Tyler Ankrum is shown as the leader followed by Colby Howard, Chase Purdy, Stewart Friesen and Matt Crafton.

Christian Eckes wins Stage 1, Hailie Deegan 4th

Image: Eckes Stage 1Christian Eckes (19) leads the field to the end of Stage 1, with Matt Crafton (88), Matt DiBenedetto (25), Hailie Deegan (13) and Nick Sanchez (2) following.(Photo: Nigel Cook/News-Journal)

Christian Eckes crossed the line first, leading a frantic, restless pack to the end of Stage 1.

Ty Majeski led down the backstretch but was shuffled out to the inside, fading back to sixth. Matt Crafton, Matt DiBenedetto, Hailie Deegan and pole-sitter Nick Sanchez rounded out the top five.

Trucks back to green! Wait, back to yellow. Nope, back to green again!

After a failed attempt to go green again, the NextEra Energy 250 finally got back underway after a brief rain delay.

The yellow flag flew just three laps due to a passing shower in Turns 1 and 2. After a few caution laps, the race was restarted but before the trucks got to Turn 3, the yellow waved again.

Finally, the trucks got going again 11 laps in. Christian Eckes was leading after receiving a big push from Matt Crafton. Just nine laps remained in the first stage.

NextEra Energy 250 under rain delay

Image: Trucks Go GreenRookie Nick Sanchez leads the field to the green flag in the Craftsman Truck Series NextEra Energy 250 at Daytona on Friday night.(Photo: Nigel Cook/News-Journal)

The NextEra Energy 250, the opener in the Craftsman Truck Series, went under caution just three laps in due to a passing shower.

Rain was not expected to linger in the area long and trucks weren't brought in. Christian Eckes had just gone to the lead off a push from Matt Crafton as the yellow flag was waved.

Jimmie Johnson fastest in Cup practice

Image: Dtb Trtack Action 1A large group of Chevrolets work the tri-oval during Cup Series practice on Friday.(Photo: David Tucker\News Journal)

Running his first Daytona 500 since 2020, seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson found himself in a familiar place on Friday night — on top of the leaderboard.

Driving for the team he co-owns, Legacy Motor Club, Johnson posted a lap speed of 194.225, leading a pack of four Chevrolets with Chase Elliott, Ricky Stenhouse and Alex Bowman at the top of the chart.

Behind them were eight straight fords with Aric Almirola, winner of the second Bluegreen Vacations Duel race on Thursday, logging the fifth best time. Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Kevin Harvick and Zane Smith rounded out the top 10.

Myatt Snider, Brandon Jones lead Xfinity practice

Myatt Snider turned in the fastest lap of the initial practice session for Saturday's Beef. It's What's for Dinner. 300, clocking a 47.965 on Friday afternoon.

Rounding out the top five were Jones and three JR Motorsports entries: Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer and Josh Berry.

Nick Sanchez takes Truck Series pole; Hailie Deegan 12th, Chase Elliott 14th

Nick Sanchez, driving the No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet, turned in a lap of 49.731 to claim the pole for the NextEra Energy 250, scheduled for later Friday night.

The 21-year-old will run in his first Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday night and will lead the field to the green flag. Coverage for the race will begin at 7:30 p.m. on FS1.

Other notables included a strong run for Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie, who will start sixth in his first Truck start since 2014. Hailie Deegan will roll off 12th and Chase Elliott, making his first superspeedway start in a truck will start 14th. Chase Purdy, Christian Eckes, Jack Wood and Ty Majeski rounded out the top five.

Connor Mosack wins ARCA pole; Frankie Muniz will start 16th

Daytona first-timer Connor Mosack won the pole Friday for Saturday afternoon's season-opening ARCA Series race, the Brandt 200.

Mosack, in the No. 18 Toyota, toured Daytona's 2.5-mile trioval in 49.396 seconds, an average of 182.201 mph. He was just over a tenth of a second faster than 18-year-old Californian (Menlo Park) Jesse Love, in the No. 20 Toyota.

Longtime Hollywood actor Frankie Muniz, who was fastest in Thursday's opening practice, slowed a bit Friday but qualified 16th at 180.697 mph. He's in the No. 30 Ford to begin his first full-time season at age 38.

Kyle Busch catches shrapnel at Daytona media center

Image: Nascar Busch Light ClashKyle Busch(Photo: Gary A. Vasquez, Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports)

Neither comment was said with apparent ill intent. Both comments drew chuckles. But on paper, at least, it looks cutting.

Reps from NASCAR's three Cup Series manufacturers held their annual Daytona press conference Friday morning. Near the end, Toyota Racing Development president David Wilson was asked to reflect on Kyle Busch's departure to Chevrolet and Childress Racing.

“There are days that we will miss Kyle Busch, and there are days that we won’t. I’ll leave it at that,” Wilson said.

Later, Kurt Busch came in to discuss his recovery from concussion symptoms (still not 100%, he said) as well as his current role with 23XI Racing and that team's manufacturer, which also happens to be Toyota.

“With Toyota, blending in with their racing family," Kurt said, "they got to see another side of a Busch that they hadn’t seen before.”

Ouch.

Frankie Muniz takes to the track during ARCA Menards Series qualifying

Image: Fast Frankie 1Frankie Muniz climbs out of the car after making some laps early during ARCA Menards Series practice on Friday afternoon.(Photo: Nadia Zomorodian/News-Journal)

A couple of yellow flags put a halt to ARCA Menards Series qualifying but not before Frankie Muniz turned three laps. He sat 12th on the board the session passed the 40-minute mark under caution. Muniz, star of the 90s sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle" was fastest in practice on Wednesday.

Connor Mosack had logged the fastest lap of the session, turning a time of 49.396.

NASCAR's Garage 56 Chevrolet entry unveiled

Image: LemansExecutives from Hendrick Motorsports (including Rick Hendrick and Jeff Gordon at far left) unveiled the Garage 56 entry the team has built for NASCAR's entry in this year's 24 Hours of Le Mans.(Photo: Ken Willis/News-Journal)

Representatives from NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear were on hand Friday in Victory Lane for the unveiling of NASCAR's entry in June's 100th anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Hendrick Motorsports built the car, with longtime champion crew chief Chad Knaus overseeing the effort. The car will be driven by seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, former Formula One champ Jensen Button, and past Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller.

Gonna be a warm one at Daytona today

Image: SunriseThe sunrise over Turn 3 forecasts a warm day at Daytona.(Photo: Ryan Pritt/News-Journal)

Cue those late-'50s one-hit wonders, The Jamies.

It's summertime, summertime, sum-sum, summertime.

We're looking at mid-'80s this afternoon during qualifying for ARCA (1:30) and the Truck Series (3 p.m.). There will be some cloud cover, however, with a strong southwest wind, so hold tight to those hot-dog wrappers and officially licensed caps!

We're looking at near perfection for the 7:44 green flag to start the truck race, with mid-'70s and winds down in the single digits.

What's this? Later in the evening, by 10 or so, the forecast is showing a moderate chance of a passing shower. As of now, that's the only tiny window showing any real shot of rain through the entire weekend.

Truck race tickets at Daytona

Image: Truck Race15NASCAR's Truck Series hits Daytona's high banks tonight.(Photo: Nigel Cook/News-Journal)

Ticket prices for all of today's action, including the afternoon's practice and qualifying, followed by tonight's NextEra Energy 250 truck race, are the same as Thursday's.

General admission grandstand seating starts at $49, reserved grandstand at $80. Kids 12 and under are free with an adult.

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Start with the basic building block of all narrative.

With 71 laps to go, Tyler Ankrum is shown as the leader followed by Colby Howard, Chase Purdy, Stewart Friesen and Matt Crafton.

Christian Eckes wins Stage 1, Hailie Deegan 4th

Christian Eckes crossed the line first, leading a frantic, restless pack to the end of Stage 1.

Ty Majeski led down the backstretch but was shuffled out to the inside, fading back to sixth. Matt Crafton, Matt DiBenedetto, Hailie Deegan and pole-sitter Nick Sanchez rounded out the top five.

Trucks back to green! Wait, back to yellow. Nope, back to green again!

After a failed attempt to go green again, the NextEra Energy 250 finally got back underway after a brief rain delay.

The yellow flag flew just three laps due to a passing shower in Turns 1 and 2. After a few caution laps, the race was restarted but before the trucks got to Turn 3, the yellow waved again.

Finally, the trucks got going again 11 laps in. Christian Eckes was leading after receiving a big push from Matt Crafton. Just nine laps remained in the first stage.

NextEra Energy 250 under rain delay

The NextEra Energy 250, the opener in the Craftsman Truck Series, went under caution just three laps in due to a passing shower.

Rain was not expected to linger in the area long and trucks weren't brought in. Christian Eckes had just gone to the lead off a push from Matt Crafton as the yellow flag was waved.

Jimmie Johnson fastest in Cup practice

Running his first Daytona 500 since 2020, seven-time Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson found himself in a familiar place on Friday night — on top of the leaderboard.

Driving for the team he co-owns, Legacy Motor Club, Johnson posted a lap speed of 194.225, leading a pack of four Chevrolets with Chase Elliott, Ricky Stenhouse and Alex Bowman at the top of the chart.

Behind them were eight straight fords with Aric Almirola, winner of the second Bluegreen Vacations Duel race on Thursday, logging the fifth best time. Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, Kevin Harvick and Zane Smith rounded out the top 10.

Myatt Snider, Brandon Jones lead Xfinity practice

Myatt Snider turned in the fastest lap of the initial practice session for Saturday's Beef. It's What's for Dinner. 300, clocking a 47.965 on Friday afternoon.

Rounding out the top five were Jones and three JR Motorsports entries: Justin Allgaier, Sam Mayer and Josh Berry.

Nick Sanchez takes Truck Series pole; Hailie Deegan 12th, Chase Elliott 14th

Nick Sanchez, driving the No. 2 Gainbridge Chevrolet, turned in a lap of 49.731 to claim the pole for the NextEra Energy 250, scheduled for later Friday night.

The 21-year-old will run in his first Craftsman Truck Series race on Friday night and will lead the field to the green flag. Coverage for the race will begin at 7:30 p.m. on FS1.

Other notables included a strong run for Cup Series driver Corey LaJoie, who will start sixth in his first Truck start since 2014. Hailie Deegan will roll off 12th and Chase Elliott, making his first superspeedway start in a truck will start 14th. Chase Purdy, Christian Eckes, Jack Wood and Ty Majeski rounded out the top five.

Connor Mosack wins ARCA pole; Frankie Muniz will start 16th

Daytona first-timer Connor Mosack won the pole Friday for Saturday afternoon's season-opening ARCA Series race, the Brandt 200.

Mosack, in the No. 18 Toyota, toured Daytona's 2.5-mile trioval in 49.396 seconds, an average of 182.201 mph. He was just over a tenth of a second faster than 18-year-old Californian (Menlo Park) Jesse Love, in the No. 20 Toyota.

Longtime Hollywood actor Frankie Muniz, who was fastest in Thursday's opening practice, slowed a bit Friday but qualified 16th at 180.697 mph. He's in the No. 30 Ford to begin his first full-time season at age 38.

Kyle Busch catches shrapnel at Daytona media center

Neither comment was said with apparent ill intent. Both comments drew chuckles. But on paper, at least, it looks cutting.

Reps from NASCAR's three Cup Series manufacturers held their annual Daytona press conference Friday morning. Near the end, Toyota Racing Development president David Wilson was asked to reflect on Kyle Busch's departure to Chevrolet and Childress Racing.

“There are days that we will miss Kyle Busch, and there are days that we won’t. I’ll leave it at that,” Wilson said.

Later, Kurt Busch came in to discuss his recovery from concussion symptoms (still not 100%, he said) as well as his current role with 23XI Racing and that team's manufacturer, which also happens to be Toyota.

“With Toyota, blending in with their racing family," Kurt said, "they got to see another side of a Busch that they hadn’t seen before.”

Ouch.

Frankie Muniz takes to the track during ARCA Menards Series qualifying

A couple of yellow flags put a halt to ARCA Menards Series qualifying but not before Frankie Muniz turned three laps. He sat 12th on the board the session passed the 40-minute mark under caution. Muniz, star of the 90s sitcom "Malcolm in the Middle" was fastest in practice on Wednesday.

Connor Mosack had logged the fastest lap of the session, turning a time of 49.396.

NASCAR's Garage 56 Chevrolet entry unveiled

Representatives from NASCAR, Hendrick Motorsports, Chevrolet and Goodyear were on hand Friday in Victory Lane for the unveiling of NASCAR's entry in June's 100th anniversary running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

Hendrick Motorsports built the car, with longtime champion crew chief Chad Knaus overseeing the effort. The car will be driven by seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, former Formula One champ Jensen Button, and past Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller.

Gonna be a warm one at Daytona today

Cue those late-'50s one-hit wonders, The Jamies.

It's summertime, summertime, sum-sum, summertime.

We're looking at mid-'80s this afternoon during qualifying for ARCA (1:30) and the Truck Series (3 p.m.). There will be some cloud cover, however, with a strong southwest wind, so hold tight to those hot-dog wrappers and officially licensed caps!

We're looking at near perfection for the 7:44 green flag to start the truck race, with mid-'70s and winds down in the single digits.

What's this? Later in the evening, by 10 or so, the forecast is showing a moderate chance of a passing shower. As of now, that's the only tiny window showing any real shot of rain through the entire weekend.

Truck race tickets at Daytona

Ticket prices for all of today's action, including the afternoon's practice and qualifying, followed by tonight's NextEra Energy 250 truck race, are the same as Thursday's.

General admission grandstand seating starts at $49, reserved grandstand at $80. Kids 12 and under are free with an adult.

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: Daytona truck race ends early, Zane Smith gets the win