Lexington, Oh. – Zane Smith entered the penultimate race of the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series’ regular season already with a playoff berth clinched via his three victories. Throughout the 67-lap O’Reilly Auto Parts 150 on Saturday (July 9), Smith showed he indeed is the championship favorite. In addition to winning stage two to add to his series-high total of 22 playoff points, Smith had a shot at the victory.
Smith and Parker Kligerman were undoubtedly the class of the field. They battled back and forth throughout the day, a sunny, warm afternoon after the Truck drivers qualified on a wet track with constant rain. Kligerman won stage one and Smith took stage two, the pair combining to lead 64 of the 67 laps.
Smith led laps 60-64 before the final caution flag flew. On the restart, Kligerman retook the lead, and the two drove to a photo finish.
Retweet to congratulate Parker Kligerman on his NASCAR Truck Series WIN at Mid-Ohio! pic.twitter.com/UY2AFvb93y
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) July 9, 2022
Kligerman ultimately won by 0.119 seconds over Smith, denying Smith his fourth win of 2022 and the guaranteed regular season points title.
“It was an awkward final set of corners, really, to do something with him,” Smith said post-race. “Me and Parker raced each other really good all day, so I didn’t want to be the guy to just wreck him. Really fast truck. I was really loose there once we went back green on the final restart. I felt like I just struggled with that. I felt like I struggled with that. I don’t know if I was too hard on it in that long run. Really good points day and we’ll go try again at Pocono.”
Post-race, a jubilant Kligerman praised Smith’s performance.
“Zane and I had a hell of a race,” he said. “He kept it clean the whole time and I think that was a little reciprocity for bumping him to the win at Daytona. But what a cool thing to finally win a road course.
“And he’s [Smith] obviously been strong everywhere. He’s on his way to Cup, did an awesome job in his Cup debut. It means a lot to beat him in a straight-up fight.”
All respect goes to @zanesmith77 for a clean race. pic.twitter.com/nZAb7UAcuO
— NASCAR Camping World Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) July 9, 2022
Kligerman appreciated Smith racing him cleanly, especially after the final restart. Kligerman, of course, raced Smith cleanly throughout the race as well.
“I feel like I passed him [Smith] clean,” Kligerman said. “We did it multiple…
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