Chandler Smith’s Phoenix Track Record Keeps Truck Series Title Hope Alive

Key points

• The Zero Carbon Bioethanol 150 Powered by Poet race is scheduled for Friday, October 16, 2026, at 7:30 p.m. ET at Phoenix Raceway.
• Kaden Honeycutt leads the Chase standings, with Layne Riggs trailing by 17 points and Chandler Smith in third, 77 points behind the leader.
• Chandler Smith holds a 3.6 average finish at Phoenix Raceway, including a 2021 victory and three third-place finishes in five starts.
• Smith’s aggregate average finish of 7.4 across the four remaining Chase tracks leads the field, while both Honeycutt and Riggs are winless at these venues.
• According to LASTCAR.info, 36 drivers are entered for the Truck Series race, with no Cup Series drivers participating in the event.

Background

The Truck Series Chase for the Championship consists of seven races, with the Phoenix event marking the fourth round. Recent archive coverage notes that the series has faced weather interruptions, such as the rain-shortened Kansas race in September, and highlights upcoming driver changes for 2027, including Kasey Kahne’s return to full-time competition. The current standings reflect a tight battle among the top three drivers heading into the final four races.

How outlets are covering it

Jayski’s NASCAR Silly Season Site emphasizes Smith’s statistical edge at Phoenix, framing the race as a potential upset scenario despite the points deficit. In contrast, LASTCAR.info focuses on the entry list and driver changes, noting the absence of Cup Series invaders and highlighting road course specialists attempting oval racing. RotoWire provides betting and fantasy sports analysis, treating the event as a standard competitive field without specific narrative emphasis on the title chase dynamics.

Why it matters

The outcome at Phoenix could significantly alter the championship trajectory, as Smith’s track record suggests he can close the 77-point gap if Honeycutt and Riggs underperform. The race also serves as a critical checkpoint for teams and drivers preparing for the final three events, including Talladega, Martinsville, and Homestead-Miami.

What to watch

The next Truck Series race is scheduled for Talladega Superspeedway, followed by Martinsville Speedway and the season finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway. Fans can watch the Phoenix race on FS1, NRN, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.