Chandler Smith, as soon as hailed as a promising expertise on the NASCAR circuit, is now dealing with an unsure future. Because the 2024 season attracts to an finish, the 22-year-old driver is left with no contract for the upcoming season.
At present, Smith is behind the wheel of the No. 81 automotive for Joe Gibbs Racing within the NASCAR Xfinity Collection, but rumors are rife that he could not return to the identical staff in 2025, particularly with the arrival of recent, youthful drivers William Sawalich and Taylor Grey to JGR.
Chandler Smith, who’s 28 factors under the cutline, mentioned he could possibly be working for his dad’s building enterprise subsequent yr so no craps might be given as he tries to win and advance at Martinsville: pic.twitter.com/wG98LgBtKS
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 26, 2024
Over his profession, Smith has amassed 5 victories within the Craftsman Truck Collection and three within the Xfinity Collection, with constant efficiency: 20 top-10 finishes in 40 races. Nonetheless, ranging from the pole, he completed thirteenth in his most up-to-date race, marking his lowest rank since Darlington.
Throughout an interview with Bob Pockrass from FOX Sports activities, Smith revealed the precariousness of his present standing.
Sean Gardner/Getty Pictures
“Effectively, I haven’t got a journey subsequent yr, Bob. I could possibly be working for my dad’s building enterprise and I could possibly be hanging it up on the finish of this yr. So, that being mentioned, all craps won’t be given at Martinsville,” he mentioned.
One of the crucial tough hurdles for Smith, as with many drivers, is funding. Regardless of his credentials and efficiency, the dearth of monetary backing is a substantial impediment in securing a spot for 2025. Motorsports is an business the place sponsorship usually issues simply as a lot as talent.
“It is not likely any seats left open. The one seats left open you gotta convey a giant, massive pocketbook with you and I haven’t got a giant pocketbook,” Smith admitted.
As JGR welcomes contemporary faces, Smith’s future is unsure. There’s hypothesis about him becoming a member of Entrance Row Motorsports within the NASCAR Cup Collection for 2025. Nonetheless, this appears more and more unlikely.
Smith stays pragmatic.
“If it is meant to be, it will occur,” he mentioned.
2024 NASCAR Xfinity Standings
- J. Allgaier
- C. Custer
- A. Hill
- A. J. Allmendinger
- C. Smith
- J. Love
- S. Mayer
- S. Smith
- S. Creed
- R. Herbst
- P. Kligerman
- S. van Gisbergen
- R. Sieg
- B. Jones
- A. Alfredo
- B. Poole
- J. Williams
- P. Retzlaff
- J. Burton
- A. Almirola
- J. Clements
- L. Honeyman
- R. Ellis
- Ok. Weatherman
- Ok. Sieg
- M. DiBenedetto
- R. Truex
- B. Perkins
- J. Bilicki
- C. Kvapil
- G. Smithley
- H. Deegan
- A. Inexperienced
- J. Gase
- D. Starr
- P. Emerling
- C. Zilisch
- D. Cram
- J. Graf Jr.
- J. J. Yeley
- B. J. McLeod
- J. Anderson
- E. Jones
- A. Labbé
- L. Bearden
- N. Leitz
- S. Karam
- B. Perez
- CJ McLaughlin
- C. Bacarella
- D. Lupton
- P. Pardus
- D. Earnhardt Jr.
- M. Snider
- B. Pollard
- N. Byrd
- N. Decker
- C. Finchum
- J. Bonsignore
- P. Gallagher
- T. Martins
- C. Ware
- T. Annunziata
- C. Daly
- G. Van Alst
- D. Thompson
- R. C. Enerson
- D. Bean
- D. Kvyat
- A. Castro
- R. Vargas
- F. Muniz
- G. Reen
- B. Mentioned
- M. Skeen
- A. Williams
- M. Baird
- T. Viens
- A. Ogata
- A. Day
- G. Dean
- J. Nemechek
- C. Bell
- Ok. Larson
- C. Elliott
- T. Gibbs
- C. Heim
- T. Grey
- W. Byron
- N. Gragson
- R. Chastain
- C. Mosack
- Ok. Busch
- D. Dye
- J. Logano
- J. Earnhardt
- A. Bowman
- M. Massey
- L. Alan
- T. Reddick
- M. Maggio
- B. Moffitt
- Ok. Honeycutt
- W. Sawalich
- D. Suárez
- J. Berry
- S. Parsons
- S. Mallozzi
- T. Dillon
- J. Buford
- Ok. Grala
- Ok. Keller
- Ok. Miura
- S. Barrett