Zane Smith, Allmendinger Score Big Wins at COTA

It was a doubleheader Saturday at Circuit of the Americas for an action-packed day for the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the NASCAR Xfinity Series.

Zane Smith continued his run to defend his 2022 Title with a big win at COTA, as his latest road course races have provided excellent results. As he held off Kyle Busch to score his second win of 2023. Smith won the season opener at Daytona. Smith led for 16 of the 42 laps in the race, including the final 15, as for Front Row Motorsports, they are now 3-for-3 at the Austin, Texas Circuit, with Todd Gilliland winning there in 2021 and Smith winning in 2022.

“Shout out to Chris Lawson for an amazing strategy,” said Smith, after which his car caught a small fire

“So cool for [sponsors] Speedco, Peak, and all our partners. It was fast when it mattered. I just enjoy coming to all the road courses, especially here. So cool. Just a true testament to this team.”

“Once we got to that eight-to-go point and I was told Kyle [Busch] was in second, my heart rate went up a little bit, just because he’s so good at managing his stuff when it mattered,” Smith continued. “So, I just tried not to make any mistakes.”

Ross Chastain was also in the race driving for Niece Motorsports as he picked up the pole. He and Kyle Busch battled back and forth for the lead early on as they both led for a combined 22 laps. However, Zane was able to take advantage of pitting right before the final caution, gaining good track position. Busch and Chastain had to work their way up the field in the closing parts of the race. Busch was able to reach second place with six laps to go, but at that point, Zane Smith had a five-second lead. Chastain finished in fifth.

“Played the long game and unfortunately the long game didn’t work, they got lucky and beat us,” Busch said, looking back on the pit strategy.

Ty Majeski, Tyler Ankrum, and Ross Chastain finished in the top five, while Corey Heim, Nick Sanchez, Tanner Gray, Kaz Grala, and Ben Rhodes rounded out the top ten.

For the NASCAR Xfinity Series, another road course race, another AJ Allmendinger victory, as he continues to be the King of the Road in the Series.

Allmendinger dominated, leading 28 of the 46 laps, and was almost eliminated from a chance to win on lap 20 after contact with Aric Almirola. He was able to fight back from 26th place in his No. 10 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet as he took the lead back on lap 33 after getting into Sheldon Creed, sending his No. 2 Chevrolet around. William Byron tried constantly to chase down Allmendinger but wasn’t able to get to Allmendinger as he got loose on the final lap which ultimately sealed the deal.

“William Byron is one of the best ones in the sport right now, seeing all Cup races he’s winning. I knew it was going to be tough,” Allmendinger said in his post-race interview. “I was just trying to fight to get back up to the front there.

“I hate I had contact with Sheldon. I was trying to stay off him but I hate that happened. This car was really hooked up. With all the damage we had, it definitely hurt the car. Man, I’m probably too old for this job.”

For Allmendinger, who’s been on a career resurgence in the last few years, winning never gets old.

“I spent a lot of years not winning anything so I’m going to celebrate every one like it’s my last one because you never know. As much pressure as I put on myself, I’m always going to try to live up to it.”

Ty Gibbs, Sammy Smith, and Justin Allgaier finished in the top five, while Daniel Hemric, Sam Mayer, Josh Berry, Sheldon Creed, and Riley Herbst rounded out the top ten.

The Truck Series heads next to Texas Motor Speedway on Saturday, April 1st at 4:30 PM EST, while the Xfinity Series will race at Richmond also on Saturday, April 1st at 1:00 PM EST.