Many NASCAR drivers get concessions due to good connections. But where there is talent, those concessions are just stepping stones to a marvelous career. Sammy Smith is one of the amazing drivers who have bloomed under Dale Earnhardt Jr’s umbrella. This year, the 20-year-old speedster clinched his second career Xfinity victory at Talladega. He also advanced into the Round of 12 during the playoffs.

Despite finishing 11th in the Xfinity championship standings, Sammy Smith is not yet done with this year. He also happens to be a Late Model expert – Smith owns 31 race wins in Legend Cars over three years. Now Dale Jr’s mentee is rolling up his sleeves to venture into familiar ground – Snowball Derby -with some family and friends’ help.

Sammy Smith is using all the help

The 2024 Snowball Derby may be different than the previous years. Hoosier will bring the ST1/ST3 combination for the most prestigious Late Model race of the year, throwing up a unique tyre scenario. According to Ty Majeski, “You’re not going to see as many comers and goers. You’re going to see the cars that have raw speed run good all day.” On top of this difficult equation is a slew of challenging rivals – Majeski is a two-time Snowball Derby winner and most recently won the NASCAR Craftsman Truck championship. Additionally, drivers like Chandler Smith and Noah Gragson have also been past winners at the Five Flags Speedway race. However, Sammy Smith has all the help he needs.

Journalist Matt Weaver updated about Sammy Smith‘s name on Snowball Derby’s entry list. The young phenom’s family is closely connected to Bubba Pollard. “We learned who the TBA on the entry list from Senoia, Georgia was today. Sammy Smith unloaded in a car fielded by Bubba Pollard crewed by his JRM Xfinity team. Remember, Sammy’s dad is Bubba’s agent and Bubba’s cousin Phillip Bell is the JRM 8 crew chief now.” Having Pollard as his teammate would help Smith by leaps and bounds. After all, Pollard has over 100 late model wins and has collected 15 championship trophies from a variety of late model championships. He is also one of the most decorated short-track racers of all time.

Sammy Smith’s return to the 2024 Snowball Derby comes after an unfortunate incident last season. During the 2023 Last Chance Qualifying session, Carson Hocevar, renowned for his aggression, made contact with Dale Earnhardt Jr’s mentee. Only this time, it was not really Hocevar’s fault. During the dash for those final transfer spots, Hocevar got loose, went up the track, and then Smith tried to force his car in there. The result was that both cars slammed against the outer wall, depriving both Smith and Hocevar of the chance to compete.

This time, however, Sammy Smith is prepared. He is taking mentorship more seriously, as it translated into a victory this year.

Smith listened diligently to the expert

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Talladega Superspeedway is infamous for the chaos it delivers to racers. However, there have been a few NASCAR drivers who tamed this 2.66-mile monster. Dale Earnhardt Jr is one of them, as the veteran holds 6 race victories at the Alabama superspeedway.

So prior to the Xfinity race in Talladega, Sammy Smith picked his mentor’s brain. “We sat down with him Wednesday, wasn’t a whole lot, just kind of some of the stuff he’d do in those situations,” Smith said. And the young racer achieved his heart’s wish – Smith went on to snap a 56-race winless streak, winning his career’s second Xfinity race at Talladega.

Towards the end of the race, four drivers jostled with each other in the race for the win. They included Smith, Riley Herbst, Chandler Smith, and Ryan Seig. Eventually, Smith finished .177 seconds ahead of Ryan Sieg, manifesting his mentor’s teaching. Now, Sammy Smith has the guidance of arguably the best in Late Model racing for the Snowball Derby. Bubba Pollard’s decorated Late Model and short-track career make him the perfect guide for Smith. Pollard himself made his second Xfinity Series start at the National Debt Relief 250 at Martinsville Speedway.

Evidently, Sammy Smith’s hopes look bright, with good mentors at his side. Let us wait and see how the young speedster runs at the Snowball Derby.