Chandler Smith, a once-bright star in the NASCAR world, finds himself at a crossroads as the 2024 season wraps up. The 22-year-old racer is currently without a contract for next year.
Smith drives the No. 81 car for Joe Gibbs Racing in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, but speculation is swirling about his future. With younger competitors like William Sawalich and Taylor Gray joining the team, his time at JGR looks unstable.
Chandler Smith, who is 28 points below the cutline, said he could be working for his dad’s construction business next year so no craps will be given as he tries to win and advance at Martinsville: pic.twitter.com/wG98LgBtKS
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) October 26, 2024
Throughout his career, Smith has secured five wins in the Craftsman Truck Series and three in Xfinity, boasting 20 top-10 finishes across 40 races. However, his latest performance starting from pole position ended with a disappointing 13th place—his worst showing since Darlington.
In an interview with FOX Sports’ Bob Pockrass, Smith candidly shared his uncertain circumstance.
Sean Gardner/Getty Images
“Honestly, I don’t have a ride next year, Bob. I might end up working for my dad’s construction business or even hanging it up altogether,” he said. “So, I’m going into Martinsville with no pressure.”
Funding poses a significant hurdle for Smith, much like it does for many racers. Sponsorship and backing often weigh as heavily as talent in securing a seat for the upcoming season. “There aren’t many openings left, and the ones that are available require a hefty budget that I simply don’t have,” Smith noted.
With JGR shifting focus to newer talents, Smith’s road ahead seems unclear. There’s talk about a potential spot at Front Row Motorsports for 2025, but that scenario appears less likely as time goes on.
Despite the ambiguity, Smith stays hopeful. “If it’s meant to be, it’ll happen,” he remarked.
2024 NASCAR Xfinity Standings
- J. Allgaier
- C. Custer
- A. Hill
- A. J. Allmendinger
- C. Smith
- J. Love
- S. Mayer
- S. Smith
- S. Creed
- R. Herbst
- P. Kligerman
- S. van Gisbergen
- R. Sieg
- B. Jones
- A. Alfredo
- B. Poole
- J. Williams
- P. Retzlaff
- J. Burton
- A. Almirola
- J. Clements
- L. Honeyman
- R. Ellis
- K. Weatherman
- K. Sieg
- M. DiBenedetto
- R. Truex
- B. Perkins
- J. Bilicki
- C. Kvapil
- G. Smithley
- H. Deegan
- A. Green
- J. Gase
- D. Starr
- P. Emerling
- C. Zilisch
- D. Cram
- J. Graf Jr.
- J. J. Yeley
- B. J. McLeod
- J. Anderson
- E. Jones
- A. Labbé
- L. Bearden
- N. Leitz
- S. Karam
- B. Perez
- CJ McLaughlin
- C. Bacarella
- D. Lupton
- P. Pardus
- D. Earnhardt Jr.
- M. Snider
- B. Pollard
- N. Byrd
- N. Decker
- C. Finchum
- J. Bonsignore
- P. Gallagher
- T. Martins
- C. Ware
- T. Annunziata
- C. Daly
- G. Van Alst
- D. Thompson
- R. C. Enerson
- D. Bean
- D. Kvyat
- A. Castro
- R. Vargas
- F. Muniz
- G. Reen
- B. Said
- M. Skeen
- A. Williams
- M. Baird
- T. Viens
- A. Ogata
- A. Day
- G. Dean
- J. Nemechek
- C. Bell
- K. Larson
- C. Elliott
- T. Gibbs
- C. Heim
- T. Gray
- W. Byron
- N. Gragson
- R. Chastain
- C. Mosack
- K. Busch
- D. Dye
- J. Logano
- J. Earnhardt
- A. Bowman
- M. Massey
- L. Alan
- T. Reddick
- M. Maggio
- B. Moffitt
- K. Honeycutt
- W. Sawalich
- D. Suárez
- J. Berry
- S. Parsons
- S. Mallozzi
- T. Dillon
- J. Buford
- K. Grala
- K. Keller
- K. Miura
- S. Barrett