Late Surge Not Enough for Chandler Smith in Bid for Daytona 500 Starting Spot
Chandler Smith made a spirited late push in Duel 1 at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 12, 2026, but the No. 36 Quick Tie | Matheus Lumber Ford fell short of earning a starting berth for the Daytona 500. A late-race recovery narrowed the gap to the transfer positions, but it proved insufficient as the field sorted out in the final laps.
Duel 1 produced tense late-race action
The opening Duel delivered the kind of frantic, aerodynamic drafting drama that defines superspeedway racing. Smith, who lined up in the field determined to race his way into the Great American Race, found speed late in the 60-lap affair and picked off several cars as the race entered its closing stages. Traffic, timing and the unpredictable momentum swings of pack racing, however, limited how far that late charge could carry him.
No. 36 team showed pace but not enough track position
Smith's Ford displayed competitiveness in the draft, and the Quick Tie | Matheus Lumber entry looked capable of challenging for a transfer spot when the final green-flag sprint began. Yet at superspeedways, raw speed must be paired with positioning and alliances. The No. 36 ran out of room to advance when the draft consolidated, leaving Smith on the wrong side of the cutoff as the checkered flag fell.
Implications for Smith and his crew
Failing to lock into the Daytona 500 raises immediate logistical and championship questions for Smith and the team. Missing the field at Daytona impacts exposure for sponsors and denies the driver a shot at the marquee event’s points and prize opportunities. The crew will now regroup to review telemetry and pit-cycle decisions to sharpen their approach ahead of upcoming intermediate- and short-track events.
How the superspeedway format played against Smith
Daytona’s qualifying Duels reward positioning and partnership as much as outright speed. Drivers who can latch onto a drafting line and work with a group gain crucial momentum, while those caught between slugs of air can see their runs stall. Smith’s late rally showed the car and driver had the pace; what ultimately hurt the effort was timing and the dynamics of the pack in the closing laps.
Next steps and the road forward
With the Daytona 500 set for Feb. 15, 2026 at 2: 30 PM ET, the focus for Smith’s team turns quickly to regrouping and ensuring competitiveness at the next events on the schedule. The crew will examine race tape and radio communications to identify opportunities to improve racecraft in pack situations, while the driver will concentrate on building alliances on-track to improve positioning in future superspeedway starts. For now, the disappointment from Daytona will be measured against the long season ahead and the chance to rebound at the next race weekend.
Despite coming up short, the late charge in Duel 1 offered positive takeaway points on speed and recovery capability — foundations the No. 36 team can build on as the NASCAR Cup Series season unfolds.
