NASCAR Truck Series driver Chandler Smith. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Chandler Smith looking for Daytona 500 redemption with Front Row Motorsports

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated Jan 22, 2026 2:40 PM ET

For the third time in four years, Chandler Smith will attempt to qualify for the Daytona 500. He hopes 2026 is the year he finally makes it.

On Thursday, Front Row Motorsports announced that Smith, who drives for FRM full-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, will drive a fourth FRM entry at Daytona in an attempt to qualify for his first "Great American Race."

Smith failed to qualify for the Daytona 500 in 2023 with Kaulig Racing and in 2025 with MBM Motorsports. He did not attempt the race in 2024.

Smith has one previous Cup Series start at Daytona in August 2023. He qualified 36th and finished 15th in that race. He made two other Cup Series starts in 2023, but has not raced in a Cup Series event since.

Double duty in Daytona for @CSmith_Racing!

Chandler will attempt to make the Daytona 500 in the No. 36! pic.twitter.com/O9GD7PArs2
— Front Row Motorsports (@Team_FRM) January 22, 2026

Chandler Smith's other Daytona experience

Smith has made four starts at Daytona in the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, finishing inside the top five twice. He has two top-10 results in three Truck Series starts at the 2.5-mile track.

Smith will join the Front Row trio of Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland and Zane Smith and will have other Ford teammates to help him in the draft. Smith will have to lock in his starting spot for the Daytona 500 in qualifying on Feb. 11 or in his duel race on Feb. 12.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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