By Sarah Handy, Staff Writer
It was a where did he come from moment. Jordan Anderson was outside the top-10 running order when the white flag waved in Friday evening’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series season opener at Daytona.
But not for long.
When carnage broke out on the final lap of the NextEra Energy Resources 250, collecting a multitude of trucks, Anderson’s No. 3 Swann Security Chevrolet somehow made it through. He would cross the finish line second to winner Ben Rhodes.
So close!!!! 😆🙏🏼 https://t.co/SaBLS8KCLO
— Jordan Anderson (@j66anderson) February 13, 2021
It was a moment similar to the 2020 season opener when the Columbia, South Carolina native finished second to race winner Grant Enfinger.
“Never give up, never give up. I’ve got my mask on but I’m still smiling,” Jordan Anderson told Fox Sports 1 in his post-race interview. “Two years in a row to finish second is a dream come true.”
A finish that may not have occurred again as Anderson stated they came close to shutting down their NCWTS operation when they decided to start their Xfinity Series team for 2021.
However, it did happen. Anderson’s second place finish marked just his second top-five finish in 125 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series starts.
Following a P2 finish at @DAYTONA, @j66anderson delivered this incredible post-race interview. ♥️ pic.twitter.com/2oHyh3SF9x
— NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Trucks (@NASCAR_Trucks) February 13, 2021
Over eight years of competing in the series, the 29-year-old has also added five top-10 finishes to his resume.
“I shouldn’t be here. I shouldn’t be racing in a National Series. A guy from Columbia, South Carolina. No one in my family raced,” Anderson told FS1 following last night’s event.
Anderson, a fan favorite, has carved his own path and consistently improved each year he has competed. Even more so when he ventured out on his own under the JAR banner to compete in the NCWTS full-time.
Now this season, Anderson will run a limited number of truck events in the No. 3 as he sets his sights on campaigning for Rookie of the Year honors in the NASCAR Xfinity Series.
Anderson will compete again for his own Jordan Anderson Racing, fielding the No. 31 Bommarito Automotive Group Chevrolet Camaro SS in the Xfinity Series.
However, it won’t be the first time fans see Anderson behind the wheel of an Xfinity ride. From 2015-2017 he made 13 series starts. His best finish of 26th (suspension) came at Dover in 2017 for B.J. McLeod Motorsports.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series kicks off their season on Saturday February 13 with the Beer. It’s What’s For Dinner. 300 at 5:00pm Eastern on FS1 and MRN.
Feature Photo Credit: Nigel Kinrade Photography / NKP Photo