XPEL 225: Zane Smith goes back to back at COTA

After besting Kyle Busch, Zane Smith takes his second win of the year at COTA.

Two cup regulars in Ross Chastain in the #41 and Kyle Busch in the #51 lined up on the front row. The green flag flew and Chastain took the lead until the first caution of the day flew on lap 2 for debutant Ed Jones in the #20 stopped on track. 

The green flag flew on lap 4 and Christian Eckes in the #19 took the lead in turn 2 before Chastain took it back later in the lap. 

All remained green until lap 8 when Carson Hocevar lost brakes in turn 11 and got stuck in the gravel trap. Under the caution, Chastain, Smith and Busch pit while Eckes stayed out. 

We went green with 2 to go in the stage and Eckes held on to win stage one. 

Stage One Results

1. #19
2. #98
3. #11
4. #1
5. #51
6. #41
7. #16
8. #38
9. #99
10.  #25

After the stage win, Eckes pitted from the lead and Busch reclaimed the top spot, until Chastain chased him down on lap 20 and took the lead in the esses. 

On lap 23, Busch retook the lead from Chastain in turn one and the #41 pit on the same lap. The #51 took the checkered flag in stage 2.

Stage Two Results:

1. #51
2. #38
3. #45
4. #52
5. #75
6. #13
7. #41
8. #04
9. #99
10.  #2

After the stage finish, the caution flew for the #75 of Kligerman stopped on the front stretch. 

Busch had to pit under the ensuing caution which sent him way back in the pack, and Ross Chastain had an issue on the pitstop which sent him tumbling out of contention. 

The green flag flew with 13 to go, Zane Smith took the lead on the restart and held on to score his 2nd win of the season. 

Busch managed to make his way back up to second, Ty Majeski in the #98 finished 3rd, Ankrum in the #16 and Chastain in the #41 rounded out the top 5. 

Stage One winner Christian Eckes had a suspension problem that took him out of contention for the race win.

Ben Rhodes lost a driveline on the final lap and managed to limp home in 10th. 

Featured Image Credits: NASCAR Trucks on Twitter