If there is one NASCAR star whose fortunes did not play out as expected this season, it is Chandler Smith. The Joe Gibbs Racing phenom created waves in 2024, clinching 2 wins, 22 top-tens, and 17 top-fives in the Xfinity Series. Yet his stellar stats could not be enough to retain the No. 81 JGR Toyota seat – and Smith seemed headed out of the racing world.

However, another team extended a helping hand to the young speedster who is also a father, to continue his passion. Let us take a deep dive into Smith’s background in the sport.

Who is Chandler Smith?

Born in 2001 in Talking Rock, Georgia, Chandler Smith grew up in a supportive household. His father’s construction company, Smith General Contracting, has sponsored his racetrack pursuits. This supportive environment helped Smith boost his reputation within the NASCAR world, growing through the ranks of the sport.

He joined the Craftsman Truck Series in 2021 as a rookie and brought immediate success. In the 2021 Round of 10 elimination race at Bristol Motor Speedway, Smith picked up his first career Truck Series win and added another to close the year at Phoenix Raceway. However, before his entry into NASCAR’s national levels, Smith excelled in the regional series.

From ARCA Menards to JGR’s Xfinity star: Smith creating ripples in stock car racing

Stock car racing is hardly a feat meant for all, and the star racers climb the ranks slowly. Chandler Smith did the same, competing in the ARCA Menards Series before his NASCAR national debut. Yet his mastery soon separated him from the pack, as the high-octane talent fetched 10 wins, 23 top-fives, and 30 top-tens. He earned his first career win in the ARCA Menards Series in just his fifth series appearance at Madison International Speedway in Wisconsin when he was just 15 years old in 2018. That drew the attention of 63-time Cup race winner Kyle Busch, who signed Smith to run a limited schedule in his NASCAR Trucks and Super Late Models.

Competing for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Craftsman Truck Series, Smith collected five wins. He also reached the Championship 4 in 2022. He defined consistency as he was the only driver to run every lap of the 2022 season. Alongside driving for Kaulig Racing in the Truck Series, Smith embarked on his JGR journey in Xfinity in 2023. He picked up his first win in the Xfinity Series at Richmond Raceway in April 2023. At present, he proudly holds three Xfinity wins and five Truck wins on his stock car racing resume.

Why is Chandler Smith returning to the Truck Series?

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Well, that may be the biggest question of this NASCAR season. Chandler Smith put up a stellar performance this year – his victories and consistently good finishes propelled him to the Championship 4. However, sponsorship woes descended on his career. When Smith left Toyota to race for Kaulig Racing in a full Xfinity Series season and part-time Cup Series starts in 2023, Quick Tie sponsored Smith in every race. In 2024, in his return to Toyota under Joe Gibbs Racing, Quick Tie sponsored Smith in 15 races. To fill the missing sponsorship, Toyota stepped up with partner Mobil 1, and, among other sponsors, Smith’s family stepped up with Smith General Contracting, sponsoring six races.

Evidently, the cut may have been severe for 2025. At one point in time, Smith set off whispers that he would leave racing and join his father’s construction company instead. As a husband and a father, Smith had responsibilities to execute at home. However, Front Row Motorsports lent a helping hand – it roped him in for the 2025 Craftsman Truck Series season. This presented a timely career revival and an opportunity for Smith to again hone his racing skills.

What awaits Chandler Smith in the 2025 Truck Series season?

Well, owning five Craftsman Truck Series race wins already charts a promising look for Chandler Smith at Front Row Motorsports. The 22-year-old driver will be piloting a second entry for the championship-winning organization in 2025. His teammate will be 2024 NCTS Rookie of the Year, Layne Riggs. The recent announcement on December 20th does not include confirmation on the truck number, sponsorship lineup, or personnel details. The first test of this new partnership is scheduled for the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway, where Smith will make his debut for FRM.

Chandler Smith beamed with gratitude for his new team as he announced his NASCAR comeback. “I’m excited to join the Front Row Motorsports truck program. They are a top contender in the Truck Series and have proven so with championships and wins. I like what they are building here and am honored to have the opportunity to add to it. We are getting a bit of a late start, but I am excited about the caliber of talent we are talking to in being a part of this program for 2025.”

Chandler Smith’s NASCAR career looked to be derailing. But now with his focus back on track, we are eagerly waiting to watch the speedster excel in stock car races again. How do you see his career panning out? Tell us in the comment section below!