Sammy Smith
Samuel L. Smith (born June 4, 2004) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 8 Chevrolet Camaro for JR Motorsports, and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado for Spire Motorsports.
Smith previously competed in the ARCA Menards Series and won two consecutive ARCA Menards Series East championships in 2021 and 2022. He also has competed in the CARS Tour, where he has driven for car owners Barry Nelson, Marcus Richmond, and Donnie Wilson as well as Kyle Busch Motorsports.
Racing career
[edit]Late model racing
[edit]Smith began racing at the age of 8 in go-karts, and then began racing legends cars and late models. His dad inspired him to start racing.[1]
Smith made his debut in the CARS Tour in May 2019, driving the No. 12 Toyota for Barry Nelson. He was 14 years old at the time. He would run five more races for Nelson that year and another in 2020, before running two races in the No. 19 for Marcus Richmond. Smith returned to Nelson's team in 2021 to compete in the race at Orange County Speedway. Smith competed full-time in the CARS Series in the Super Late Model Tour in 2020, driving the No. 51 (or on occasion, the No. 51S) for Kyle Busch Motorsports. That year, he also competed in the World Series of Asphalt.[1]
In 2021, KBM decided to temporarily close down their late model team,[2] so Smith moved to Wilson Motorsports for his late model starts that year.[3] He again entered the World Series of Asphalt and won the race driving the team's No. 22 car.[4]
ARCA
[edit]
On February 3, 2021, it was announced that Smith would compete in the first five races of the ARCA Menards Series East season as well as the West Series season-finale at Phoenix, all in Joe Gibbs Racing's No. 18 car.[5] In his debut at New Smyrna, Smith would lose the race to Max Gutiérrez in a three-wide photo finish with him and Taylor Gray.[6] Smith would then go on to win and lead the most laps in the next two races at Five Flags and the Nashville Fairgrounds. He also won the pole at Five Flags. At Dover, JGR entered Ty Gibbs (their full-time driver in the main ARCA Menards Series) in the No. 18 and moved Smith to a new second car for the team, the No. 81. (It was originally the No. 18E on the entry list,[7] but since this race was not a combination race, numbers with letters were not allowed and the team had to change the number.) Gibbs would win that race and Smith would finish fourth. At Southern National Motorsports Park, Smith would pick up his third win of the season. While the remaining three East Series races were not on his initial schedule, Smith is expected to return to the No. 81 in those three races (at least Iowa)[8] to hold onto the points lead and win the championship. Those three races are combination races with the main ARCA Menards Series, so Gibbs will be in the No. 18.
Smith returned to the East Series in 2022, this time driving for Kyle Busch Motorsports. He started the season with a high note, winning the season opener race at New Smyrna, after starting from the pole and leading 167 laps.[9] He scored another win the in following race at Five Flags, leading 107 laps.[10] His third win of the season came at Nashville, as he once again led the most laps, with 156.[11] Smith would also run the main ARCA Menards Series schedule full-time, but because he will not turn 18 until June 4, 2022, he would skip four races at the larger tracks, Daytona, Talladega, Kansas, and Charlotte.[12] He earned his first main ARCA win at Berlin, leading the final 8 laps after race leader, Daniel Dye, suffered a mechanical problem.[13] He would get a second win in the following week at Elko, dominating the race and leading 233 laps.[14]
Xfinity Series
[edit]
On June 9, 2022, it was announced that Smith would drive for eight races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series for Joe Gibbs Racing, starting at Road America.[15] On December 6, JGR announced that Smith would drive the No. 18 full-time in 2023 with sponsorship from Pilot Flying J.
During the 2023 season, Smith scored his first win at Phoenix; at age 18, he became the youngest Xfinity Series winner at Phoenix, and the fourth youngest winner in series history.[16]
On September 26, 2023, it was announced that Smith will leave JGR after the 2023 season and move to JR Motorsports in the No. 8 car for 2024.[17] Smith started the season with a 23rd place finish at Daytona. He made the playoffs as the 12 seed with 0 wins, 4 top 5s and 13 top 10s. During the playoffs, Smith scored his 2nd career Xfinity win (first win of the 2024 season) at Talladega.[18]
Craftsman Truck Series
[edit]On February 3, 2023, it was announced that Smith would make his Truck Series debut in the 2023 season-opener at Daytona, filling in for Taylor Gray in the Tricon Garage (previously David Gilliland Racing) No. 17 truck due to Gray still being 17 years old and therefore not able to race there.[19]
Spire Motorsports announced on March 27, 2024, that Smith was added to the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado for a four-race schedule.[20]
Motorsports career results
[edit](key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
Stock car career summary
[edit]| Season | Series | Team | Races | Wins | Top 5 | Top 10 | Points | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | ARCA Menards Series | Joe Gibbs Racing | 3 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 107 | 35th |
| ARCA Menards Series East | 8 | 3 | 7 | 7 | 385 | 1st | ||
| ARCA Menards Series West | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 41 | 39th | ||
| 2022 | NASCAR Xfinity Series | Joe Gibbs Racing | 9 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 230 | 30th |
| ARCA Menards Series | Kyle Busch Motorsports | 16 | 6 | 15 | 15 | 851 | 4th | |
| ARCA Menards Series East | 7 | 5 | 7 | 7 | 375 | 1st | ||
| ARCA Menards Series West | 2 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 143 | 24th | ||
| 2023 | NASCAR Xfinity Series | Joe Gibbs Racing | 33 | 1 | 6 | 15 | 2248 | 6th |
| NASCAR Truck Series | Tricon Garage | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | NC† | |
| ARCA Menards Series West | Hattori Racing Enterprises | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 42 | 38th |
† As Smith was a guest driver, he was ineligible for championship points.
NASCAR
[edit](key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)
Xfinity Series
[edit]| NASCAR Xfinity Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | NXSC | Pts | Ref |
| 2022 | Joe Gibbs Racing | 18 | Toyota | DAY | CAL | LVS | PHO | ATL | COA | RCH | MAR | TAL | DOV | DAR | TEX | CLT | PIR | NSH | ROA 24 |
ATL | NHA | POC 31 |
IRC | MCH 12 |
GLN 3 |
DAY 38 |
DAR | KAN 8 |
BRI 14 |
TEX | TAL | ROV | LVS | HOM | MAR 18 |
PHO 10 |
30th | 230 | [21] |
| 2023 | DAY 19 |
CAL 19 |
LVS 17 |
PHO 1* |
ATL 17 |
COA 4 |
RCH 19 |
MAR 2 |
TAL 33 |
DOV 6 |
DAR 11 |
CLT 10 |
PIR 30 |
SON 9 |
NSH 34 |
CSC 6 |
ATL 10 |
NHA 5 |
POC 6 |
ROA 31 |
MCH 38 |
IRC 28 |
GLN 18 |
DAY 21 |
DAR 17 |
KAN 35 |
BRI 9 |
TEX 3 |
ROV 11 |
LVS 17 |
HOM 9 |
MAR 3* |
PHO 9 |
6th | 2248 | [22] | |||
| 2024 | JR Motorsports | 8 | Chevy | DAY 23 |
ATL 10 |
LVS 8 |
PHO 9 |
COA 36 |
RCH 9 |
MAR 7 |
TEX 8 |
TAL 21 |
DOV 33 |
DAR 34 |
CLT 3 |
PIR 3 |
SON 33 |
IOW 4 |
NHA 12 |
NSH 30 |
CSC 13 |
POC 9 |
IND 18 |
MCH 5 |
DAY 23 |
DAR 5 |
ATL 7 |
GLN 19 |
BRI 15 |
KAN 22 |
TAL 1 |
ROV 10 |
LVS 32 |
HOM 22 |
MAR 2 |
PHO 15 |
11th | 2185 | [23] |
| 2025 | DAY | ATL | COA | PHO | LVS | HOM | MAR | DAR | BRI | CAR | TAL | TEX | CLT | NSH | MXC | POC | ATL | CSC | SON | DOV | IND | IOW | GLN | DAY | PIR | GTW | BRI | KAN | ROV | LVS | TAL | MAR | PHO | -* | -* | ||||
Craftsman Truck Series
[edit]| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | NCTC | Pts | Ref |
| 2023 | Tricon Garage | 17 | Toyota | DAY 14 |
LVS | ATL | COA | TEX | BRD | MAR | KAN | DAR | NWS | CLT | GTW | NSH | MOH | POC | RCH | IRP | MLW | KAN | BRI | TAL | HOM | PHO | 102nd | 01 | [24] |
| 2024 | Spire Motorsports | 7 | Chevy | DAY | ATL | LVS | BRI | COA | MAR 8 |
TEX | KAN | DAR | NWS 5 |
CLT | GTW | NSH | POC | IRP 6 |
RCH | MLW 17 |
BRI | KAN | TAL | HOM | MAR | PHO | 83rd | 01 | [25] |
* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points
ARCA Menards Series
[edit]| ARCA Menards Series results | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 20 | AMSC | Pts | Ref |
| 2021 | Joe Gibbs Racing | 81 | Toyota | DAY | PHO | TAL | KAN | TOL | CLT | MOH | POC | ELK | BLN | IOW 18 |
WIN | GLN | MCH | ISF | MLW 5 |
DSF | BRI 2 |
SLM | KAN | 35th | 107 | [26] |
| 2022 | Kyle Busch Motorsports | 18 | DAY | PHO 3* |
TAL | KAN | CLT | IOW 2 |
BLN 1 |
ELK 1* |
MOH 3 |
POC 12 |
IRP 2 |
MCH 4 |
GLN 5 |
ISF 4 |
MLW 1* |
DSF 3 |
KAN 3 |
BRI 1* |
SLM 1** |
TOL 1 |
4th | 851 | [27] | |
ARCA Menards Series East
[edit]| ARCA Menards Series East results | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | AMSEC | Pts | Ref |
| 2021 | Joe Gibbs Racing | 18 | Toyota | NSM 2* |
FIF 1* |
NSV 1* |
SNM 1 |
1st | 385 | [28] | ||||
| 81 | DOV 4 |
IOW 18 |
MLW 5 |
BRI 2 | ||||||||||
| 2022 | Kyle Busch Motorsports | 18 | NSM 1* |
FIF 1* |
DOV 5 |
NSV 1* |
IOW 2 |
MLW 1* |
BRI 1* |
1st | 375 | [29] | ||
ARCA Menards Series West
[edit]| ARCA Menards Series West results | ||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Team | No. | Make | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | AMSWC | Pts | Ref |
| 2021 | Joe Gibbs Racing | 81 | Toyota | PHO | SON | IRW | CNS | IRW | PIR | LVS | AAS | PHO 3 |
39th | 41 | [30] | |||
| 2022 | Kyle Busch Motorsports | 18 | PHO 3* |
IRW | KCR | PIR | SON | IRW | EVG | PIR | AAS | LVS | PHO 1* |
24th | 143 | [31] | ||
| 2023 | Hattori Racing Enterprises | 81 | PHO | IRW | KCR | PIR | SON 2 |
IRW | SHA | EVG | AAS | LVS | MAD | PHO | 38th | 42 | [32] | |
References
[edit]- ^ a b Allen, Richard (August 5, 2020). "Sammy Smith developing talent with Kyle Busch Motorsports guidance". Inside Circle Track. Tempera & WordPress. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ Weaver, Matt (January 25, 2021). "Kyle Busch Motorsports Super Late Model Team Shuttered". Short Track Scene. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
- ^ "Sammy Smith Lands at Wilson Motorsports". Speed Sport. January 24, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
- ^ Fenwick, Adam (February 7, 2021). "Sammy Smith Returns To Victory Lane". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
- ^ Srigley, Joseph (February 3, 2021). "Sammy Smith Joins Joe Gibbs Racing's ARCA East Program for Six Races in 2021". TobyChristie.com.
- ^ Haislop, Tadd (February 9, 2021). "Rookie Max Gutiérrez Earns First ARCA Win In Photo Finish At New Smyrna". ARCARacing.com. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
- ^ Koelle, Christian (May 11, 2021). "ARCA East Preview: 2021 General Tire 125 at Dover International Speedway". Kickin' the Tires. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
- ^ "Ty Gibbs, Sammy Smith to race as teammates at Iowa Speedway". ARCARacing.com. July 5, 2021.
- ^ Haislop, Tadd (February 16, 2022). "Sammy Smith finds redemption, wins 2022 East Series opener at New Smyrna". ARCA. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Haislop, Tadd (March 20, 2022). "Sammy Smith cruises to another East Series win with dominating run at Five Flags Speedway". ARCA. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Fenwick, Adam (May 8, 2022). "Sammy Smith sings a winning tune in Music City 200 at Nashville Fairgrounds". ARCA. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ "KBM to field full-time ARCA Menards Series entry in 2022 with Sammy Smith as primary driver". ARCA. February 10, 2022. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Fenwick, Adam (June 19, 2022). "Sammy Smith earns maiden ARCA Menards Series win in stunning fashion at Berlin Raceway". ARCA. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Fenwick, Adam (June 25, 2022). "Sammy Smith leaves no doubt with dominant victory at Elko Speedway". ARCA. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Srigley, Joseph (June 9, 2022). "Sammy Smith Tapped for Eight-Race Xfinity Schedule with Joe Gibbs Racing". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
- ^ Spencer, Reid (March 11, 2023). "Sammy Smith scores first career Xfinity win at Phoenix". NASCAR. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
- ^ Albert, Zack (September 26, 2023). "JR Motorsports lands Sammy Smith for No. 8 Chevrolet in 2024 Xfinity Series". NASCAR. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
- ^ Cain, Holly (October 5, 2024). "Sammy Smith advances in Xfinity Series Playoffs with Talladega win". NASCAR. Retrieved October 6, 2024.
- ^ Srigley, Joseph (February 3, 2023). "Sammy Smith Making NASCAR Truck Series Debut in TRICON Garage No. 17 at Daytona". TobyChristie.com.
- ^ Srigley, Joseph (2024-03-27). "Spire Motorsports Adds Sammy Smith to Driver Lineup for No. 7 Truck". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
- ^ "Sammy Smith – 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
- ^ "Sammy Smith – 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ "Sammy Smith – 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
- ^ "Sammy Smith – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ "Sammy Smith – 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
- ^ "Sammy Smith – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ "Sammy Smith – 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
- ^ "Sammy Smith – 2021 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ "Sammy Smith – 2022 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
- ^ "Sammy Smith – 2021 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
- ^ "Sammy Smith – 2022 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
- ^ "Sammy Smith – 2023 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
External links
[edit]- Official website
- Sammy Smith driver statistics at Racing-Reference
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