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. 18 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing and part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 17 Toyota Tundra for TRICON Garage. He is also a Toyota development driver.

For other people named Samuel Smith, see Samuel Smith (disambiguation).
For other people named Sam Smith, see Sam Smith (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Sammi Smith, Sammy Smyth, or Sammy Smyth (loyalist).
Sammy Smith
Smith at Daytona International Speedway in 2023
BornSamuel L. Smith
(2004-06-04) June 4, 2004
Johnston, Iowa, U.S.
Achievements2021 Winchester 400 Winner
2022 Redbud 400 Winner
2021 Florida Governor’s Cup Winner
Awards2021 ARCA Menards Series East champion
2022 ARCA Menards Series East champion
2021 ARCA Menards Series East Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
13 races run over 2 years
Car no., teamNo. 18 (Joe Gibbs Racing)
2022 position30th
Best finish30th (2022)
First race2022 Henry 180 (Road America)
Last race2023 Shiners Children's 200 (Darlington)
First win2023 United Rentals 200 (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
1 7 0
NASCAR Camping World Truck Series career
1 race run over 1 year
Truck no., teamNo. 17 (TRICON Garage)
First race2023 NextEra Energy 250 (Daytona)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 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
3 races run over 2 years
Best finish24th (2022)
First race2021 Arizona Lottery 100 (Phoenix)
Last race2022 Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 (Phoenix)
First win2022 Desert Diamond Casino West Valley 100 (Phoenix)
Wins Top tens Poles
1 3 2
Statistics current as of March 11, 2023.

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

Late model racing

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
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
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]

Craftsman Truck Series

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.[17]

Personal life

Parents: Kurt and Angela Smith Dog: Stella Smith

Motorsports career results

(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
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 4 1 1 1 * *
NASCAR Truck Series TRICON Garage 1 0 0 0 * NC†

† As Smith was a guest driver, he was ineligible for championship points.

NASCAR

(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Xfinity Series
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 [18]
2023 DAY
19		 CAL
19		 LVS
17		 PHO
1*		 ATL
17		 COA
4		 RCH
19		 MAR
2		 TAL
33		 DOV
6		 DAR
11		 CLT PIR SON NSH CSC ATL NHA POC ROA MCH IRC GLN DAY DAR KAN BRI TEX ROV LVS HOM MAR PHO -* -* [19]

Craftsman Truck Series
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 -* 01 [20]

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

ARCA Menards Series
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 [21]
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 [22]

ARCA Menards Series East
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 [23]
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 [24]

ARCA Menards Series West
ARCA Menards Series West results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 AMSWC Pts Ref
2021 Joe Gibbs Racing 81 Toyota PHO SON IRW CNS IRW PIR LVS AAS PHO
3		 39th 41 [25]
2022 Kyle Busch Motorsports 18 PHO
3*		 IRW KCR PIR SON IRW EVG PIR AAS LVS PHO
1*		 24th 143 [26]

References
  1. 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 (2022-02-16). "Sammy Smith finds redemption, wins 2022 East Series opener at New Smyrna". ARCA. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  10. Haislop, Tadd (2022-03-20). "Sammy Smith cruises to another East Series win with dominating run at Five Flags Speedway". ARCA. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  11. Fenwick, Adam (2022-05-08). "Sammy Smith sings a winning tune in Music City 200 at Nashville Fairgrounds". ARCA. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  12. "KBM to field full-time ARCA Menards Series entry in 2022 with Sammy Smith as primary driver". ARCA. 2022-02-10. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  13. Fenwick, Adam (2022-06-19). "Sammy Smith earns maiden ARCA Menards Series win in stunning fashion at Berlin Raceway". ARCA. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  14. Fenwick, Adam (2022-06-25). "Sammy Smith leaves no doubt with dominant victory at Elko Speedway". ARCA. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  15. Srigley, Joseph (2022-06-09). "Sammy Smith Tapped for Eight-Race Xfinity Schedule with Joe Gibbs Racing". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  16. Spencer, Reid (March 11, 2023). "Sammy Smith scores first career Xfinity win at Phoenix". NASCAR. Retrieved March 12, 2023.
  17. Srigley, Joseph (February 3, 2023). "Sammy Smith Making NASCAR Truck Series Debut in TRICON Garage No. 17 at Daytona". TobyChristie.com.
  18. "Sammy Smith – 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved July 2, 2022.
  19. "Sammy Smith – 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  20. "Sammy Smith – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Series Results". Racing-Reference. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  21. "Sammy Smith – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  22. "Sammy Smith – 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  23. "Sammy Smith – 2021 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  24. "Sammy Smith – 2022 ARCA Menards Series East results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 16, 2022.
  25. "Sammy Smith – 2021 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 14, 2021.
  26. "Sammy Smith – 2022 ARCA Menards Series West Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved March 12, 2022.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.