Chandler Smith to Attempt 2026 Daytona 500 With Front Row Motorsports

Chandler Smith has officially joined the entry list for the 2026 Daytona 500. The driver, who will reprise his role as the full-time driver of the No. 38 Front Row Motorsports Ford F-150 in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series this season, will chase a starting spot in the Great American Race from behind the wheel of the No. 36 Front Row Motorsports Ford Mustang Dark Horse.

Front Row Motorsports announced the entry of Smith into the Daytona 500 on Thursday afternoon.

"I’m really excited to take a shot at the Daytona 500 with the FRM Cup Series program," said Smith. "This organization is known for its speed at superspeedways, and I am going to give it my best shot to win the Harley J. Earl Trophy or help my teammates if I am in the position to do so in the end. I greatly appreciate the opportunity and will do my part to get FRM off to a great start to the 2026 Cup season, while I pursue my primary goal this year in winning the 2026 Truck Series Championship."

Smith, 23, has failed to lock into the starting lineup of the Daytona 500 twice in his career, as he attempted the event in 2023 with Kaulig Racing, and again in 2025, driving for Carl Long's Garage 66 team. This time around, Smith will have the support of a team that fields three full-time entries in the NASCAR Cup Series.

In three career NASCAR Cup Series starts, Smith has a best finish of 11th, which he achieved in Fall 2023 at Talladega Superspeedway.

The native of Talking Rock, GA, has amassed seven wins in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series over 87 career starts, and three victories in the NASCAR Xfinity Series over 69 career starts. Last season, Smith snagged two victories in his first season driving for Front Row Motorsports in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, and finished the year fifth in the championship standings.

While Smith is already set to compete for a spot in the 2026 Daytona 500, Front Row Motorsports says partnership opportunities on the No. 36 entry remain available.

Photo Credit: Matt Marrie | TobyChristie.com