Last October at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Chandler Smith looked primed for victory after winning the pole and contending for the race win. But during a crucial green-flag pit stop in Stage 3, a mishap saw the jack wedge underneath his car, costing him precious track time. Without a late-race caution to help him recover, Smith ran out of laps and had to settle for a disappointing 13th-place finish.

Fast forward to the 2025 Daytona 500 Duel, and this time, the stakes were even higher. A costly misjudgment on Lap 14 led to a multi-car crash, ending Smith’s hopes of securing a spot in the Great American Race. Unlike Homestead, there would be no second chance—this mistake had much bigger consequences.

A costly misstep shatters Chandler Smith’s hopes of making the Daytona 500

It all started with a tweet from Frontstretch showing Chandler Smith’s post-race interview after the brutal crash during Thursday’s Daytona 500 Duel. The tweet featured Smith’s somber reaction. “It’s on me, and I apologize,” he said. The video quickly gained traction, with NASCAR fans weighing in on Smith’s unfortunate fate.

Smith later explained what happened, highlighting the failure of his digital mirror. “My digital mirror stopped working after we got on the back stretch of the first lap. I couldn’t see out of my left-side mirror unless they were 10 feet to my left side.” He admitted it was a bad judgment call on his part, apologizing to his team and fellow drivers.

The crash occurred on Lap 14, just as Smith was solidly running inside the top five. He attempted to move to the bottom line but misjudged his positioning, resulting in contact with Justin Haley. The mistake sent both cars into the outside wall and triggered a multi-car wreck that eliminated several contenders.

This included the likes of Ty Gibbs, Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, and Michael McDowell. Smith’s record at the Daytona will remain at zero in his two attempts. But, unlike in previous incidents where Smith avoided taking full responsibility, this time Chandler Smith left no room for excuses. He acknowledged the hard work his team had put in during the offseason. Moreover, he expressed his regret for causing unnecessary damage.

Unfortunately for Chandler Smith, his unchartered “open” team status meant he had to be the top open car to qualify for the race. With his early exit, that dream is officially over. However, not all hope is lost for the drivers involved in the wreck. One notable exception is Helio Castroneves. The Trackhouse Racing driver, despite being knocked out of the race, still has a shot at making his NASCAR Cup Series debut.

Helio Castroneves secures Daytona 500 spot despite crash

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Unlike Chandler Smith, who found himself on the outside looking in, Helio Castroneves caught a break. Despite being involved in the same multi-car wreck, the four-time Indianapolis 500 winner will still make his NASCAR Cup Series debut. Thanks to NASCAR’s provisional rule for world-class drivers, Castroneves earned a guaranteed spot in the Daytona 500. He will be the 41st driver on the grid, a privilege many believe should be reserved for full-time competitors.

Critics have questioned the fairness of the Open Exemption Provisional system, arguing it undermines the spirit of open qualifying. While Castroneves’ decorated IndyCar career makes him a worthy recipient, some NASCAR purists believe this creates an uneven playing field. After all, several rising talents, including Chandler Smith, missed out on a rare opportunity to race at the sport’s biggest event without such advantages.

Castroneves, however, remains focused on the bigger picture. For him, the Daytona 500 represents a new challenge and the chance to make his mark in stock car racing. With years of experience in high-pressure situations, the Brazilian driver knows how to capitalize on opportunities. Whether the critics agree or not, all eyes will be on Castroneves when the green flag drops.