Smith Salvages 20th-Place Result at Pocono Raceway
Venue: Pocono Raceway
FINISH: 20th
Start: 21st
Laps Led: 0
No. 91 NCTS Owners’ Points Position: 14th
Zane Smith came back to finish 20th in Friday evening’s showdown at Pocono Raceway. The driver of the No. 91 Speedy Cash Chevrolet Silverado RST came back from a lap down and a shock issue to gain significant ground in the waning laps. After 14 regular season events, the No. 91 team is 14th in the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series (NCTS) owners’ points standings.
The 2022 NCTS champion showed pace in Friday afternoon’s practice by posting the 10th-quickest lap late in the session on old tires. After a brief shower washed out qualifying, the starting lineup was set by the rulebook and Smith took the green flag from the 21st position. Smith struggled with the balance from the drop of the green flag as he battled a significantly rough ride quality in the nose of his Speedy Cash Chevrolet. As a result, he was scored 26th at the end of Stage 1 on lap 15.
Crew chief Kevin Bellicourt and the No. 91 team addressed the issue under the stage caution and discovered an issue with the right rear shock. The repairs costed Smith a lap to the field, but restored speed to his Silverado RST. He ran 31st at the end of Stage 2 on lap 30.
Due to several varying strategies and ill-timed cautions, Smith was snakebit in his effort to earn the Lucky Dog to regain his lap. A late rain shower and subsequent red flag halted the event with less than 10 laps to go and allowed Smith to regain his lap to the leaders. After lining up 29th for the final restart with three laps to go, Smith charged his way forward to take the checkered flag 20th.
Zane Smith Quote:
“We spent a lot of the day just playing catch-up with our Speedy Cash Chevrolet. We had an issue with the right rear shock to start the race and just had a really rough ride. Luckily we diagnosed it, but just didn’t catch the cautions like we needed to get back on the lead lap. Thanks to these guys at MHR and Speedy Cash for putting these races together this year and all their effort.”