Holding on to a seat in any NASCAR division is no easy task. It requires consistent performances, hard work, and, very importantly, backing from sponsors. Front Row Motorsports announced their latest acquisition for the 2025 Truck Series campaign, snapping up the talented Chandler Smith. Smith previously rode for Joe Gibbs Racing in the 2024 Xfinity season. However, Smith almost left racing after 2024 due to a lack of funding.

The 26-year-old will be behind the wheel of a Ford next season, his third different OEM in the last three years! He drove the Chevrolet for Kaulig Racing in the Xfinity Series in 2023, followed by Toyota for JGR in 2024. With impressive results but the lack of a consistent group to work with, will Smith find a place to call home at Front Row Motorsports after teaming up with Truck Series Rookie of the Year, Layne Riggs?

Smith joins Front Row Motorsports as a full-time driver for 2025

Smith’s run with JGR was arguably underrated. In the 33 races that Smith ran for the team, he won two races, one at Phoenix and the other at Richmond. He has also accounted for 17 top-five finishes and 22 top-10 finishes. Chandler wrapped up the season in fifth place in the standings after his championship hopes were cut short at Martinsville.

Despite his impressive performance throughout the year, he found himself without a seat at Joe Gibbs Racing. The team’s decision to promote Taylor Gray and William Sawalich to full-time roles, coupled with Brandon Jones rejoining from JR Motorsports for the 2025 season, left Chandler without a spot on the roster. This would require Chandler Smith to get back to his father’s construction business given that he had a family to take care of. He spoke on the uncertainties of his career before signing with FRM in an interview with Matt Weaver, saying, “I really was preparing to go work for my dad and it wasn’t easy.”

However, Smith is finally making a comeback to a season where he has already been successful in the past. Throughout 62 starts in the Truck Series—nearly all with the former Kyle Busch Motorsports—he achieved five wins. He also accounted for top-five finishes, and 35 top-10 finishes. His strongest season came in 2022 when he finished third behind Zane Smith.

At a time of such uncertainty in his career, the news of Smith making it to Front Row Motorsports came as a moment of respite. An X post announcing the same read, “After two years in the Xfinity Series, Chandler Smith will move to the Truck Series with Front Row in 2025. This will be Smith’s third manufacturer in as many seasons”. 

Speaking of the new opportunity onboard, Smith said, “I’m excited to join Front Row Motorsports truck program. [Front Row Motorsports] is 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”. 

Smith’s return to the Truck Series with Front Row Motorsports marks a new chapter in his career, offering a chance to rebuild and compete at a high level once again. As of now, the team has not formally announced who will be the sponsors or the car number for Smith’s Ford F-150. 

Smith impressed massively in the 2024 playoffs, until Martinsville

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Smith knew he was going to leave JGR before the season ended and opened up about his struggles during that period. “It was tough,” Smith said. “I was still with our Joe Gibbs Racing team and still trying to win a championship for them, and realized I needed to come to peace with everything and trust God with this situation, that it was going to work out the way it should and just enjoy racing with the guys that I really enjoyed racing with.” The 26-year-old’s future was uncertain with two months left in the Xfinity season. Yet, he put the doubts aside and made the most of his opportunity with some stellar performances.

Despite not making it to the Championship 4, Chandler Smith had undoubtedly one of the best Xfinity seasons when compared to any of the drivers. His average finish was a stunning 5.42 during the seven playoff races. Along with that, Smith had also accounted for nine straight top-10 finishes stretching from Darlington at the end of August to Las Vegas in mid-October. However, his championship dreams came to a halt at Martinsville after an incident with Cole Custer.

Smith and Custer had been exchanging jabs all race, however, it all blew up towards the end. On Lap 219, Smith moved Custer to take 2nd place which would seal his spot in the next round. However, Custer was having none of it. On a restart during Lap 226, Custer moved Smith and took the position back, effectively knocking Smith out of the next round. Smith swung punches at Custer after the race in what was an ugly scene for the sport.

“Granted, I moved him the lap before. But I’m beating his bumper off for the five laps before that. I gave him grace before I finally shipped him and then he doesn’t even try to give me a chance going into turn 1,” said a heated Smith. Custer had already qualified for the next round, while Smith needed to finish higher than him to qualify on points but failed to do so.

Well, he can put an impressive but incident-marred season behind him as he moves to a new team and OEM yet again. At FRM he will join the 2024 Truck Series Rookie of the Year, Layne Riggs, in hopes of forming a strong partnership for the season. What are your thoughts on Chandler Smith’s new team?