Sammy Smith

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This article is about the NASCAR driver. For the country music singer, see Sammi Smith.
Sammy Smith
Smith at Sonoma Raceway in 2023
BornSamuel L. Smith
(2004-06-04) June 4, 2004 (age 19)
Johnston, Iowa, U.S.
Achievements2021, 2022 ARCA Menards Series East Champion
2021 Florida Governor’s Cup Winner
2021 Winchester 400 Winner
2022 Redbud 400 Winner
Awards2021 ARCA Menards Series East Rookie of the Year
2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
47 races run over 3 years
Car no., teamNo. 8 (JR Motorsports)
2023 position6th
Best finish6th (2023)
First race2022 Henry 180 (Road America)
Last race2024 Andy's Frozen Custard 300 (Texas)
First win2023 United Rentals 200 (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
1 21 2
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
2 races run over 2 years
Truck no., teamNo. 7 (Spire Motorsports)
First race2023 NextEra Energy 250 (Daytona)
Last race2024 Long John Silver's 200 (Martinsville)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 1 0
ARCA Menards Series career
19 races run over 2 years
Best finish4th (2022)
First race2021 Shore Lunch 150 (Iowa)
Last race2022 Shore Lunch 200 (Toledo)
First win2022 Zinsser SmartCoat 200 (Berlin)
Last win2022 Shore Lunch 200 (Toledo)
Wins Top tens Poles
6 17 8
ARCA Menards Series East career
15 races run over 2 years
Best finish1st (2021, 2022)
First race2021 Jeep Beach 175 (New Smyrna)
Last race2022 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
First win2021 Pensacola 200 (Pensacola)
Last win2022 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
Wins Top tens Poles
8 14 4
ARCA Menards Series West career
4 races run over 3 years
Best finish24th (2022)
First race2021 Arizona Lottery 100 (Phoenix)
Last race2023 General Tire 200 (Sonoma)
First win2022 Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
1 4 2
Statistics current as of March 17, 2024.

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]

Smith at New Smyrna Speedway in 2021

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]

Smith at Auto Club Speedway in 2023

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]

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.[18]

Spire Motorsports announced on March 27, 2024, that Smith was added to the No. 7 Chevrolet Silverado for a four-race schedule.[19]

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 [20]
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 [21]
2024 JR Motorsports 8 Chevy DAY
23 		ATL
10 		LVS
8 		PHO
9 		COA
36 		RCH
9 		MAR
7 		TEX
8 		TAL
 DOV DAR CLT PIR SON IOW NHA NSH CSC POC IND MCH DAY DAR ATL GLN BRI KAN TAL ROV LVS HOM MAR PHO -* -* [22]

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 [23]
2024 Spire Motorsports 7 Chevy DAY ATL LVS BRI COA MAR
8 		TEX KAN DAR NWS CLT GTW NSH POC IRP RCH MLW BRI KAN TAL HOM MAR PHO -* 01* [24]

* 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 [25]
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 [26]

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 [27]
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 [28]

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 [29]
2022 Kyle Busch Motorsports 18 PHO
3* 		IRW KCR PIR SON IRW EVG PIR AAS LVS PHO
1* 		24th 143 [30]
2023 Hattori Racing Enterprises 81 PHO IRW KCR PIR SON
2 		IRW SHA EVG AAS LVS MAD PHO 38th 42 [31]

References[edit]

  1. ^ 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.
  2. ^ Weaver, Matt (January 25, 2021). "Kyle Busch Motorsports Super Late Model Team Shuttered". Short Track Scene. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  3. ^ "Sammy Smith Lands at Wilson Motorsports". Speed Sport. January 24, 2021. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  4. ^ Fenwick, Adam (February 7, 2021). "Sammy Smith Returns To Victory Lane". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  5. ^ Srigley, Joseph (February 3, 2021). "Sammy Smith Joins Joe Gibbs Racing's ARCA East Program for Six Races in 2021". TobyChristie.com.
  6. ^ Haislop, Tadd (February 9, 2021). "Rookie Max Gutiérrez Earns First ARCA Win In Photo Finish At New Smyrna". ARCARacing.com. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  7. ^ Koelle, Christian (May 11, 2021). "ARCA East Preview: 2021 General Tire 125 at Dover International Speedway". Kickin' the Tires. Retrieved June 20, 2021.
  8. ^ "Ty Gibbs, Sammy Smith to race as teammates at Iowa Speedway". ARCARacing.com. July 5, 2021.
  9. ^ Haislop, Tadd (February 16, 2022). "Sammy Smith finds redemption, wins 2022 East Series opener at New Smyrna". ARCA. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  10. ^ 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.
  11. ^ Fenwick, Adam (May 8, 2022). "Sammy Smith sings a winning tune in Music City 200 at Nashville Fairgrounds". ARCA. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  12. ^ "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.
  13. ^ Fenwick, Adam (June 19, 2022). "Sammy Smith earns maiden ARCA Menards Series win in stunning fashion at Berlin Raceway". ARCA. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  14. ^ Fenwick, Adam (June 25, 2022). "Sammy Smith leaves no doubt with dominant victory at Elko Speedway". ARCA. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  15. ^ Srigley, Joseph (June 9, 2022). "Sammy Smith Tapped for Eight-Race Xfinity Schedule with Joe Gibbs Racing". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved July 1, 2022.
  16. ^ Spencer, Reid (March 11, 2023). "Sammy Smith scores first career Xfinity win at Phoenix". NASCAR. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  17. ^ Albert, Zack (September 26, 2023). "JR Motorsports lands Sammy Smith for No. 8 Chevrolet in 2024 Xfinity Series". NASCAR. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  18. ^ Srigley, Joseph (February 3, 2023). "Sammy Smith Making NASCAR Truck Series Debut in TRICON Garage No. 17 at Daytona". TobyChristie.com.
  19. ^ Srigley, Joseph (2024-03-27). "Spire Motorsports Adds Sammy Smith to Driver Lineup for No. 7 Truck". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved 2024-03-27.
  20. ^ "Sammy Smith – 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  21. ^ "Sammy Smith – 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  22. ^ "Sammy Smith – 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  23. ^ "Sammy Smith – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  24. ^ "Sammy Smith – 2024 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved April 5, 2024.
  25. ^ "Sammy Smith – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  26. ^ "Sammy Smith – 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  27. ^ "Sammy Smith – 2021 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  28. ^ "Sammy Smith – 2022 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  29. ^ "Sammy Smith – 2021 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  30. ^ "Sammy Smith – 2022 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  31. ^ "Sammy Smith – 2023 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 5, 2023.

External links[edit]

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