Share

Chandler Smith’s NASCAR Career in Jeopardy in Sad Admission


Chandler Smith, once hailed as a promising talent on the NASCAR circuit, is now facing an uncertain future. As the 2024 season draws to an end, the 22-year-old driver is left without a contract for the upcoming season.

Currently, Smith is behind the wheel of the No. 81 car for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, yet rumors are rife that he may not return to the same team in 2025, especially with the arrival of new, younger drivers William Sawalich and Taylor Gray to JGR.

Over his career, Smith has amassed five victories in the Craftsman Truck Series and three in the Xfinity Series, with consistent performance: 20 top-10 finishes in 40 races. However, starting from the pole, he finished 13th in his most recent race, marking his lowest rank since Darlington.

During an interview with Bob Pockrass from FOX Sports, Smith revealed the precariousness of his current standing.

Chandler Smith, driver of the #81 QuickTie Toyota, drives during the NASCAR Xfinity Series Credit One NASCAR Amex Credit 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway on October 26, 2024 in Homestead, Florida. NASCAR driver Chandler Smith faces…


Sean Gardner/Getty Images

“Well, I don’t have a ride next year, Bob. I could be working for my dad’s construction business and I could be hanging it up at the end of this year. So, that being said, all craps will not be given at Martinsville,” he said.

One of the most difficult hurdles for Smith, as with many drivers, is funding. Despite his credentials and performance, the lack of financial backing is a considerable obstacle in securing a spot for 2025. Motorsports is an industry where sponsorship often matters just as much as skill.

“It’s not really any seats left open. The only seats left open you gotta bring a big, big pocketbook with you and I don’t have a big pocketbook,” Smith admitted.

As JGR welcomes fresh faces, Smith’s future is uncertain. There is speculation about him joining Front Row Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup Series for 2025. However, this seems increasingly unlikely.

Smith remains pragmatic.

“If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen,” he said.

2024 NASCAR Xfinity Standings

  1. J. Allgaier
  2. C. Custer
  3. A. Hill
  4. A. J. Allmendinger
  5. C. Smith
  6. J. Love
  7. S. Mayer
  8. S. Smith
  9. S. Creed
  10. R. Herbst
  11. P. Kligerman
  12. S. van Gisbergen
  13. R. Sieg
  14. B. Jones
  15. A. Alfredo
  16. B. Poole
  17. J. Williams
  18. P. Retzlaff
  19. J. Burton
  20. A. Almirola
  21. J. Clements
  22. L. Honeyman
  23. R. Ellis
  24. K. Weatherman
  25. K. Sieg
  26. M. DiBenedetto
  27. R. Truex
  28. B. Perkins
  29. J. Bilicki
  30. C. Kvapil
  31. G. Smithley
  32. H. Deegan
  33. A. Green
  34. J. Gase
  35. D. Starr
  36. P. Emerling
  37. C. Zilisch
  38. D. Cram
  39. J. Graf Jr.
  40. J. J. Yeley
  41. B. J. McLeod
  42. J. Anderson
  43. E. Jones
  44. A. Labbé
  45. L. Bearden
  46. N. Leitz
  47. S. Karam
  48. B. Perez
  49. CJ McLaughlin
  50. C. Bacarella
  51. D. Lupton
  52. P. Pardus
  53. D. Earnhardt Jr.
  54. M. Snider
  55. B. Pollard
  56. N. Byrd
  57. N. Decker
  58. C. Finchum
  59. J. Bonsignore
  60. P. Gallagher
  61. T. Martins
  62. C. Ware
  63. T. Annunziata
  64. C. Daly
  65. G. Van Alst
  66. D. Thompson
  67. R. C. Enerson
  68. D. Bean
  69. D. Kvyat
  70. A. Castro
  71. R. Vargas
  72. F. Muniz
  73. G. Reen
  74. B. Said
  75. M. Skeen
  76. A. Williams
  77. M. Baird
  78. T. Viens
  79. A. Ogata
  80. A. Day
  81. G. Dean
  82. J. Nemechek
  83. C. Bell
  84. K. Larson
  85. C. Elliott
  86. T. Gibbs
  87. C. Heim
  88. T. Gray
  89. W. Byron
  90. N. Gragson
  91. R. Chastain
  92. C. Mosack
  93. K. Busch
  94. D. Dye
  95. J. Logano
  96. J. Earnhardt
  97. A. Bowman
  98. M. Massey
  99. L. Alan
  100. T. Reddick
  101. M. Maggio
  102. B. Moffitt
  103. K. Honeycutt
  104. W. Sawalich
  105. D. Suárez
  106. J. Berry
  107. S. Parsons
  108. S. Mallozzi
  109. T. Dillon
  110. J. Buford
  111. K. Grala
  112. K. Keller
  113. K. Miura
  114. S. Barrett





Source link