Sammy Smith is starting his 2022 ARCA Menards Series East campaign the same way he went about his 2021 season, and that’s by winning. The defending series champion drove to victory lane with ease in Tuesday night’s Race to Stop Suicide 200 at Florida’s New Smyrna Speedway.

Smith’s only competition came in the form of Taylor Gray’s No. 17 machine. Gray was able to get by Smith just past the ¼-mark of the 200 laps, but Smith wasn't done. He chased Gray back down and passed him five laps before the halfway break.

After taking the lead back, Smith dominated the second half of the event, but a scare came in the form of a Mason Diaz spin that led to a restart with six laps to go.

Interview: Sammy Smith Starts ARCA Menards Series East Season In Victory Lane.

However, Smith got a great restart over Gray and was able to drive away to pick up his fourth career ARCA Menards Series East victory.

“He was jumping the restarts every time, but we were able to get out of that (last) one and get the win,” said Smith in victory lane. “I think it does a lot (for momentum). All of these guys worked hard to give me a great car, and now we’ll go get them in Pensacola.”

Gray was able to hold on to finish in the runner-up position. Max Gutierrez rounded out the podium while Leland Honeyman and Donald Theetge completed the top five.

The next race on Smith’s title defense tour comes in the form of the abrasive half mile at Five Flags Speedway in Pensacola, Florida on March 19^th.