In a sudden turn of events, Garage 66 has secured Chandler Smith to pilot their No. 66 Ford Mustang Dark Horse in the 2025 Daytona 500, following NASCAR’s decision to deem original driver Mike Wallace ineligible for competition.

Smith, a 22-year-old NASCAR veteran with eight combined victories in the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series, will attempt to make his first Daytona 500 start with backing from longtime sponsor QuickTie Products and associate partner Coble Enterprises.

“I’m very excited for the opportunity to race our way into the Daytona 500 with Garage 66,” Smith said. “Being in The Great American Race is such an honor, and I can’t thank QuickTie and Carl Long enough for helping put this all together.”

Team owner Carl Long, formerly of MBM Motorsports, emphasized the challenge ahead as his team seeks one of the limited “Open” positions in the season opener. “With Roush-Yates power and Chandler behind the wheel, the odds of Garage 66 making the event just got stronger,” Long stated after several days of searching for Wallace’s replacement.

Smith and the No. 66 team will have two opportunities to qualify for the February 16 race: during qualifying on February 12 or through the Duel qualifying races on February 13. The team will also field Garrett Smithley in the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.