TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — With only two races left in the regular season of the NASCAR Cup Series, drivers are focused on winning to make it into the points series championship.
The Coke Zero 400 at Daytona, a 400-mile race gives drivers a huge opportunity to perform at one of NASCAR'S most-storied tracks.
Zane Smith, the Craftsman Truck Series Champion in 2022, and now the full-time driver of the No. 71 car in the Cup Series says Daytona is a huge opportunity.
“They are just big races, and they always end in such a dramatic fashion. I’ve been fortunate to win there twice in the truck series and they really is no other place, probably than winning at Daytona,” Smith said.
Smith also shared how he has navigated the changes of a completely different ride.
“It’s a tough transition, just because everyone on Sunday is really good and they have so much experience and experience goes a long way in our sport,” Smith said.
Only 16 drivers make it to the playoffs, and with the standings right now, five drivers are on the bubble with a chance to make it.
Smith will compete with some of the leaders in the cup point standings like Tyler Reddick, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliot, and Kyle Larson as he works to get more cup points.
Tyler Reddick, driver of the No. 45 car won at Michigan’s Firecracker Casino 400 putting him on top of the leader board in the cup point standings.
The Cup Series will finish out the regular season at the Cook Out Southern 500 in Darlington before starting the playoffs in Atlanta at the Quaker State 400.