Is Chandler Smith’s Time at Joe Gibbs Racing Running Out?
What’s Happening? On Monday afternoon, Joe Gibbs Racing announced the signing of William Sawalich for the 2024 Xfinity Series season. This…
On Saturday, NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship contender Chandler Smith confirmed that he does not have a ride for 2025. While this news is shocking, it confirms rumors that Smith is lacking the necessary sponsorship to continue his career.
@brakehard CHANDLER SMITH COULD BE OUT OF NASCAR IN 2025, WORKING CONSTRUCTION #nascar #racing #motorsport ♬ original sound – brakehard
Following Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, Chandler Smith, the Series points leader for the majority of the 2025 season, found himself under the Championship Four cutline. Leaving one race left for the 22-year-old driver to have a shot at the championship.
For Smith, this next race at Martinsville is all or nothing. Despite a championship-caliber season, Smith does not have a ride for 2025.
For some time now, rumors have been swirling about Smith’s thinning 2025 prospects. His current team, Joe Gibbs Racing, has seemingly confirmed their full-time lineup for 2025, with Smith on the outs. In a post-race interview Saturday, Smith confirmed these rumors to Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports.
“I don’t have a ride next year, Bob [Pockrass]. I could be working for my dad’s construction business, and I could be hanging it up at the end of this year,” said Smith. “So, with that being said, all craps will not be given at Martinsville.”
For those outside of the know, this is a shock, as Smith is a two-time winner this season and a highly regarded prospect. However, after a follow-up question, Smith clarified why his options were drying up.
“There’s not really any seats left open,” said Smith. “The only seats left open. You got to bring a big, big, big pocketbook with you. And I don’t have… I don’t have a big pocketbook.”
What’s Happening? On Monday afternoon, Joe Gibbs Racing announced the signing of William Sawalich for the 2024 Xfinity Series season. This…
For those who know about Smith’s Silly Season, this is no joke. When Xfinity Series Silly Season rumors started picking up during the summer, word of Smith’s Silly Season trickled down slowly.
For a short time, there was a rumor that he could go to Front Row Motorsports’ third car. However, a subsequent rumor surfaced that sponsorship was a problem for Smith.
Last season, Smith left Toyota to race for Kaulig Racing in a full Xfinity Series season and part-time Cup Series starts; Quick Tie sponsored Smith in every race. This season, in his return to Toyota, Quick Tie sponsored Smith in 15 races. It was not a dramatic cut, but it is still substantial.
To fill the missing sponsorship, Toyota stepped up with partner Mobil 1, and, among other sponsors, Smith’s family stepped up with Smith General Contracting, sponsoring six races.
Now, seemingly without Toyota, Smith is facing pure uncertainty. His confession Saturday sparked a commentary on the importance of sponsorship in driver-free agencies. Fellow driver Leland Honeyman Jr voiced his anxiety about this interview’s implications for his career.
Shocking as it is, we don’t know if Smith will have a ride. If a team were to take a chance on Smith, it would be worth their while. Sadly, the value of sponsorship seemingly outweighs the need for a driver of his talents.
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