A few weeks ago, Chandler Smith was feeling the weight of uncertainty. “I have a wife and two kids that I need to provide for…” he said, reflecting on how close he came to walking away from racing altogether. The former Joe Gibbs Racing driver was even considering joining his father’s construction business, ‘Smith General Contracting’, with a heavy heart.

But as luck would have it, the right opportunity came knocking just when he needed it most. Front Row Motorsports, looking to expand its lineup in the Craftsman Truck Series, decided Chandler Smith was the perfect fit to drive one of their F-150s. It might look like a step down for an Xfinity Series regular, but for Smith, it’s a chance to get back on track. After all, it’s better to have something than nothing at all.

Chandler Smith opens up on returning to the Truck

As the 2024 season wound down, it was a bit of a head-scratcher that Chandler Smith hadn’t yet secured a ride for the upcoming season. Despite a fantastic year, which included a fifth-place finish in the standings and the best average finish (10.3) among all Xfinity drivers, Smith was left without a contract. In fact, he racked up two wins and a series-high 15 top-5 finishes—outperforming even the 2024 Xfinity champion, Justin Allgaier, who had just 10 top-5s.

And while the reasons for him not having a ride were unclear, it probably had a lot to do with the struggle for funding. Fortunately for him, Front Row Motorsports came to the rescue, and he couldn’t be happier.

In a recent chat with SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, Chandler shared the exciting news: “I got a phone call from Jerry Freeze probably two days ago. He said, ‘Hey, we’re going Truck Racing.’ I’m extremely excited about being a part of Front Row Motorsports as a Front Row driver. To be able to pilot whatever number I’m gonna be in. Get that second truck team established. And hopefully, have two really fast F-150s in Daytona.”

Chandler Smith isn’t a stranger to the Truck Series. From 2019 to 2023, he drove the No. 18 truck for Kyle Busch Motorsports, making 62 starts and winning five times. Along the way, he consistently delivered solid results with 24 top-5 finishes and 35 top-10s. His average finish during that span was 12.5, and in 2022, he even ended the season with a strong third-place finish in the points standings.

Having run two full seasons in the Xfinity Series and being consistent in both, Smith proved he had what it takes to get wins and compete for a championship. And while with performances like his, one usually gets a call from the top teams in the Cup Series. But rather he went one series down. But for Chandler Smith, it’s about making the most of the situation. “People might look at this as a downgrade, but the reality of it is, at one point, there was a path where I wasn’t even racing next year,” he said.

Smith knew he was not going to have a seat at Joe Gibbs Racing next season while he was still driving for them. As demoralizing as that can be, Smith opened up on his emotions towards the end of last season. “It was tough. 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… Did it still keep me up at night? It really did.” 

His mantra to enjoy racing certainly worked a treat as he put up some incredible numbers to finish off the Xfinity season in 2024. His average finish was 5.42 during the seven playoff races. Smith also bagged nine straight top-10 finishes stretching from Darlington in August to Las Vegas in mid-October. However, his championship dreams came to a halt at Martinsville after an incident with Cole Custer. On a restart during Lap 226, Custer, who had already qualified for the next round, moved Smith in retaliation to their ongoing tussle during the race, and took his position, 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.

It’s no secret that the Truck Series is often seen as a stepping stone to the Xfinity and Cup Series. For many drivers, dropping down a series might feel like a demotion, but Smith is content with this shift and eager to prove himself.

Smith is excited about his future with FRM

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Smith expressed his gratitude to be amongst the top tiers series of NASCAR and eagerness to contend for championships. “For me to still be in the top 3 NASCAR Series and still be in a winning truck, like Front Row Motorsports, and be part of a bigger organization… To believe in me, and our ability that we have as a group to go out and contend for wins and possibly a championship means the world to me.”

Smith is especially grateful to Front Row Motorsports for putting their trust in him when no one else did. And now he’s determined to prove them right. “Hopefully I can knock the rust off and go Truck racing and hopefully start off with a bang in Daytona,” Smith said. “The Truck schedule for this coming up year is great and I’m really really excited.”

Now, even though he feels like he’s coming into the new season a little late, Smith remains optimistic about his future with Front Row. “They’re a top contender in the Truck Series and have proven that with championships and wins. I like what they’re building here, and I’m honored to have the opportunity to add to it,” he said., as reported by CupScene. “We’re getting a bit of a late start, but I’m excited about the caliber of talent we’re talking to, and being part of this program for 2025.”

Now that Chandler Smith is back in the Truck Series and hungry for success. Do you think he’ll be a championship contender in 2025? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!