Zane Smith, the defending NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series champion, has picked up where he left off. For the second consecutive season, Smith won the NextEra Energy 250 at the Daytona International Speedway and has once again locked himself into the playoffs.

Smith won the rain-shortened race after 79 laps. The race had been slowed twice by rain before NASCAR was forced to end the race.

Smith took the Love’s Travel Stops Ford F-150 back to Victory Lane after leading 17 laps in the second half of the race. Pitting early for fuel and adjustments, Smith gave up stage points in setting himself up to lead the race late when the rain came.

For Smith, it’s his eighth NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series win and Front Row Motorsports sixth. The Love’s Travel Stops color scheme with Smith is undefeated in the NextEra Energy 250 at the World Center of Racing.

The team leaves Daytona fourth in regular season points and first in the championship point standings with the win.

Zane Smith, Driver No. 38 Love’s Travel Stops Ford F-150:

WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO WIN AGAIN?

“It’s huge. The past couple times I’ve actually been to Daytona I’ve gotten to Victory Lane. To do that for a third time, I honestly tried to play that race as smart as possible. When it was getting really aggressive I was getting out of it. I knew that patches of rain were a thing in our Ford meeting earlier in the day. I didn’t think it would stick around for this long, but I just wanted to be there. A huge shoutout to Love’s Travel Stops, Speedco, Ford Performance and everyone involved in this program this season. So many great partners. It’s awesome to have this come together and give them another win. It was awesome working with some more Fords out there this year. This is exactly how we started last year, so we’re looking good.”

ARE YOU THE FAVORITE FOR THE TITLE THIS YEAR?

“It’s so early. Honestly, we should have scored some stage points there, but we’re locked in the playoffs.”

HOW DOES THIS WEEKEND FEEL WITH THE CUP RACE TOO?

“It’s just been a huge week. It’s so busy going from my F-150 to my Mustang. It’s been such an awesome experience.”