Joe Gibbs Racing Signs Top Prospect For 2025 Season
What’s Happening? Joe Gibbs Racing finally filled out its 2025 Xfinity Series lineup. Monday afternoon, JGR officially announced that they signed…
On Monday afternoon, Joe Gibbs Racing announced the signing of William Sawalich for the 2024 Xfinity Series season. This signing seemingly filled Gibbs’ 2025 Xfinity Series lineup without one notable driver. So, what’s going on with Chandler Smith?
What’s Happening? Joe Gibbs Racing finally filled out its 2025 Xfinity Series lineup. Monday afternoon, JGR officially announced that they signed…
Chandler Smith is in a tight spot. Joe Gibbs Racing began its Xfinity Series season with Smith, Sheldon Creed, and two full-time cars with a rotating door of drivers.
However, Creed is leaving at seasons end, and JGR already filled one part-time car, the No. 19, with Brandon Jones for 2025. In exchange for Creed, last week, JGR signed Taylor Gray to drive the No. 54, and Monday, announced that William Sawalich will drive the No. 18.
These quick and plentiful signings are raising many question’s about Smith’s future at JGR. While there may be room for Smith, the rumor mill has not favored the young driver so far this Silly Season.
First, late this summer, there was a rumor that sponsorship for Smith was decreasing. Last season, QuickTie sponsored all 33 races for Smith at Kaulig Racing. Yet, QuickTie has only sponsored 14 races this season.
A Sept. 29 report from BrakeHard backs up these rumors of decreasing sponsorship via his TikTok, stating that Smith doesn’t have the money behind him that he used to. It should be noted that this was in reference to a Cup Series ride. However, sponsorship is just as crucial at each level.
@brakehard WHO GETS THE REMAINING SEATS IN NASCAR CUP SERIES SILLY SEASON? #nascar #racing #motorsport ♬ original sound – brakehard
Smith is also not helped by the swell of prospects coming through the Toyota ladder. Furthermore, reports suggest that JGR prefers drivers to skip the Truck Series and head to the Xfinity Series, further cramming Smith’s already crowded team.
So, with all these rumored factors working against Smith, is there anything helping his case for a second season at JGR’s Xfinity program?
When addressing the rumors that point to Smith’s outing at JGR, Smith does have a handful of advantages. Of course, his record this season in the Xfinity Series helps.
This season, among the full-time Xfinity Series, Smith has a 10.6 average finish, which is the series’ best. Furthermore, Smith has 26 lead lap finishes in 30 starts, meaning he brings his equipment home.
Some fans think that Smith is getting too old for NASCAR’s developmental series. However, he is only 22. Some believe this could be because of his seven years in NASCAR’s top developmental ranks.
In those seasons, Smith has accrued:
Not too shabby for a 22-year-old.
But what about the rumor that Smith is lacking sponsorship? While his starts with QuickTie on the hood have decreased, he has had sponsorship from Toyota partner Mobil 1 and Smith General Contracting. While this could change before 2025, filling an entire season with sponsorship is a major factor for any driver.
It is a cramped house at JGR, with Gray, Sawalich, and Jones all having sponsorship. But, one overlooked factor could benefit Smith.
Ty Gibbs, grandson of Joe Gibbs, is the listed owner of the No. 54. This could imply an open slot for Smith. With there being the four Gibbs Xfinity cars and one owned by Ty. However, it could equally mean that Ty is just listed as the owner and is not financially responsible for the No. 54.
The truth is, we don’t know what Chandler Smith’s 2025 looks like. While Cup and Xfinity Series teams are filling out, it is odd that he hasn’t announced anything yet. Smith’s resume speaks for itself, and if Gibbs again opts for an “open car” as the fourth car rather than Smith, he will surely land on his feet.
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