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Published

3 years ago

on

12:48 AM ET

  • Associated Press

AVONDALE, Ariz. — It took overtime in his third attempt for Zane Smith to finally win a NASCAR championship.

Smith held off reigning Truck Series champion Ben Rhodes and Chandler Smith in a two-lap overtime sprint Friday night to win at Phoenix Raceway and at last win the series title.

Smith finished second in the championship finale the past two years and left Phoenix following his 2021 defeat without a job. He was picked up by Front Row Motorsports and delivered the Ford team its first Truck championship.

“Third time’s a charm,” Smith said. “I was crying that whole last lap. For so long I’ve wanted this moment, all my life. That’s all I’ve got.”

Smith won the first two stages but a slow pit stop ahead of the final stage dropped him into traffic and forced him to work his way back to the front. Then a series of cautions took the race out of Smith’s control.

He took four tires on a later caution and it dropped Smith to 11th in the field. Rhodes, meanwhile, took two tires and left pit road leading the four title contenders.

Rhodes took the lead with seven to go, the same lap Smith made his way to second on four new tires. Then a spin by championship contender Ty Majeski as the playoff drivers ran first through fourth sent the race to overtime.

Smith chose to restart on the inside behind Rhodes, and Chandler Smith in third quickly moved up to the open spot on the front row for the restart. Zane Smith immediately made it three-wide to take the lead and win his fourth race of the season, and finally a title.

“I wasn’t going to let it go down like that,” Zane Smith said of potentially finishing second for a third consecutive year.

“I was wrecking or winning this thing. There was no other option.”

Rhodes finished second in near defense of his title.

“I’m going to mope all the way back to Kentucky,” the Toyota driver said.

Chandler Smith finished third in his final race with Kyle Busch Motorsports and Toyota. Busch is moving his trucks to Chevrolet next season and Chandler Smith will race in the Xfinity Series for Kaulig Racing and Chevy.

Majeski fell to 20th after spinning trying to make a pass for the win.

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Follow live: Phiilies, Dodgers

Published

14 mins ago

on

October 7, 2025

By

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Phillies’ 2025 ballpark bite to beat: the ‘Fall Classic Shake’

Published

37 mins ago

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October 6, 2025

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Phillies' 2025 ballpark bite to beat: the 'Fall Classic Shake'

Move aside, hot dogs, peanuts and Cracker Jack. Baseball teams are becoming more innovative and stepping up their food game in 2025.

One of those creations is the Philadelphia Phillies‘ limited-edition “Fall Classic Shake,” which includes a vanilla soft serve, blended with dulce de leche. If that wasn’t enough, an apple cider donut tops it off. Philadelphia has been on a heater in the kitchen recently — it also unveiled a postseason 9-9-9 challenge box last Friday.

Here are more ballpark innovations that can be found at MLB concession stands this season:

Houston Astros: Fried chicken waffle sandwich

Washington Nationals: Jake and Jake’s Smoked Brisket Sandwich

In collaboration with Joe’s Kansas City BBQ, the Royals will offer a new item this season: the Z-Man Sandwich. It includes slow-smoked beef brisket and provolone cheese on a toasted kaiser roll, topped with two onion rings.

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Chourio to start Game 2 after hamstring injury

Published

51 mins ago

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October 6, 2025

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Chourio to start Game 2 after hamstring injury

  • ESPN News Services

Oct 6, 2025, 05:27 PM ET

Jackson Chourio will start in left field for Game 2 of the NLDS for the Milwaukee Brewers and bat leadoff against the Chicago Cubs, manager Pat Murphy said Monday.

Chourio, 21, had an MRI after leaving Game 1 on Saturday with a right hamstring injury after legging out an infield hit in the bottom of the second inning. It’s the same hamstring he injured in July — also while playing against the Cubs.

Murphy said Chourio isn’t 100% and would be removed if he’s hampered at all by the injury.

“I’m sure it’s not 100%, but I’m more worried about behavior than feelings,” Murphy said. “However he feels isn’t as important as how he behaves. If he gets in a situation where he doesn’t feel like he can do the job, we’re going to take him out.”

Chourio was 3-for-3 with three RBIs in Game 1 before he suffered the injury. He hit .270 with 21 home runs and 78 RBIs during the regular season.

The Brewers lead the best-of-5 series 1-0.

ESPN’s Jesse Rogers and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

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