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.
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
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.
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
- 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