Wikipedia

Chandler Smith

Chandler Michael Smith Sr. (born June 26, 2002) is an American professional stock car racing driver. He last competed full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 81 Toyota Supra for Joe Gibbs Racing. He was a member of Toyota Racing Development's TD2 driver development system from 2018 until the end of 2022 but rejoined the program starting in 2024.

Chandler Smith
Smith at Martinsville Speedway in 2024
BornChandler Michael Smith
(2002-06-26) June 26, 2002 (age 22)
Talking Rock, Georgia, U.S.
Achievements2021 Snowball Derby Winner
2018 SpeedFest 200 Winner
2013 INEX Bandolero Bandit National Champion
Awards2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Rookie of the Year
2017 Southern Super Series Rookie of the Year
NASCAR Cup Series career
3 races run over 1 year
2023 position47th
Best finish47th (2023)
First race2023 Toyota Owners 400 (Richmond)
Last race2023 YellaWood 500 (Talladega)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
NASCAR Xfinity Series career
40 races run over 3 years
Car no., teamNo. 81 (Joe Gibbs Racing)
2023 position9th
Best finish5th (2024)
First race2022 Ag-Pro 300 (Talladega)
Last race2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Championship Race (Phoenix)
First win2023 ToyotaCare 250 (Richmond)
Last win2024 ToyotaCare 250 (Richmond)
Wins Top tens Poles
3 20 6
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series career
62 races run over 5 years
2023 position92nd
Best finish3rd (2022)
First race2019 M&M's 200 (Iowa)
Last race2023 Love's RV Stop 250 (Talladega)
First win2021 UNOH 200 (Bristol)
Last win2022 Worldwide Express 250 (Richmond)
Wins Top tens Poles
5 35 1
NASCAR Canada Series career
1 race run over 1 year
2019 position46th
Best finish46th (2019)
First race2019 Total Quartz 200 (Mosport)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 0 0
ARCA Menards Series career
35 races run over 5 years
Best finish10th (2020)
First race2018 Music City 200 (Nashville Fairgrounds)
Last race2022 Reese's 200 (IRP)
First win2018 Herr's Potato Chips 200 (Madison)
Last win2022 Reese's 200 (IRP)
Wins Top tens Poles
10 30 10
ARCA Menards Series East career
2 races run over 1 year
Best finish21st (2020)
First race2020 Royal Truck & Trailer 200 (Toledo)
Last race2020 Bush's Beans 200 (Bristol)
Wins Top tens Poles
0 1 0
Statistics current as of November 11, 2023.

Racing career

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Early career and ARCA Menards Series

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Smith next to his ARCA car before the race at Madison in 2018, which would be his first win in the series
 
Smith in victory lane at Madison in 2018 after winning for the first time in ARCA
 
Smith beside his car before the Madison race in 2019, which he would also win
 
Smith's No. 18 truck at Sonoma Raceway in 2022

In 2013, Smith won the bandoleros national championship after two wins at Atlanta, one at Charlotte and one at Bethel Motor Speedway.[1] In 2018, Smith made his ARCA Menards Series debut at the Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and won the pole after qualifying was rained out. He led 51 laps and finished 5th in the race. In his fourth ARCA start, Smith dominated at Madison International Speedway and won his first race after leading the most laps.

On September 15, 2018, Smith dominated at Salem Speedway, leading nearly every lap to win his second race. On November 2, it was announced that Smith would return to Venturini Motorsports for the 2019 season for 11 races. Smith would run mostly short track events due to age restrictions.[2]

Smith would return to Venturini part-time in the No. 20 for the third year in a row in 2020, with him in the car for 13 races while Ryan Repko would join the team that year to drive it in most of the races at the larger tracks such as Daytona where Smith was not able to compete at due to being under 18.[3] Ten of Smith's races that year were part of the brand new Sioux Chief Showdown, which put him in contention to win that separate championship within the ARCA Series.

Craftsman Truck Series

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On February 21, 2019, Kyle Busch Motorsports announced that Smith would run a four-race NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series schedule in the team's Nos. 46 and 51 Toyota Tundras.[4] In just his first truck series start at Iowa, he would capture the pole after qualifying would be rained out with the starting order based on owner's points. Smith would lead the initial 55 laps and finished 8th in the race.

On March 3, 2020, Smith was announced to return to KBM part-time in the Truck Series for the 2020 season. His original schedule included eight races, all in the No. 51, which were at Richmond, Dover, Michigan, Gateway, Bristol, Las Vegas, Talladega, and the season finale at Phoenix.[5] His schedule was shuffled due to the COVID-19 pandemic; at Texas in November, Smith spun and criticized Tanner Gray for the lack of an ability to drive straight; Smith was later blamed by Ben Rhodes for a last-lap incident, although Smith never publicly accepted blame.[6]

Smith was promoted to a full-time Truck Series schedule for 2021, driving the No. 18 for KBM.[7] He almost won the series' inaugural race at Knoxville, but lost the lead to Austin Hill in the closing laps and green-white-checkered attempts. Smith did barely qualify for the playoffs in the 10th and final spot despite being disqualified in the regular-season finale at Watkins Glen.[8] At Bristol, in a must-win situation to make the Round of 8 in the playoffs, Smith won, beating Grant Enfinger and teammate John Hunter Nemechek as Nemechek overshot turn 1 and race leader Sheldon Creed was put into the wall by Smith and overshot turn 1 and spun finishing 19th. A 35th place finish at Las Vegas and a 19th place finish at Talladega cost Smith a chance at the Championship 4. Despite this, he won at Phoenix and finished eighth in the standings.

Smith began the 2022 season with a 21st place finish at Daytona. He scored wins at Las Vegas and Pocono to make the playoffs. During the playoffs, he won at Richmond and stayed consistent enough to make the Championship 4. Smith finished third at Phoenix and third in the standings.[9]

Smith returned to the Truck Series part-time in 2023, driving the No. 25 for Rackley WAR at Talladega after Matt DiBenedetto parted ways with the team.[10]

Xfinity Series

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Smith at Auto Club Speedway in 2023
 
Smith's No. 81 car at Las Vegas Motor Speedway in 2024.

On October 5, 2022, Kaulig Racing announced that Smith would replace A. J. Allmendinger in the No. 16 in 2023 in the Xfinity Series, as Allmendinger would return to a full-time schedule in the Cup Series.[11] Smith began the season with a 12th place finish at Daytona. Two months later, he scored his first Xfinity win at Richmond.[12] In October of that year, it was revealed that Smith, who originally signed a multi-year contract, would part ways with the team at the end of the season.[13]

On December 13, 2023, it was announced that Smith will join Joe Gibbs Racing and drive the No. 81 Toyota full-time in 2024 after the team bought out Smith's contract from Kaulig.[14][15] Smith started the season with a fifth place finish at Daytona. He later scored wins at Phoenix and Richmond.[16][17] Smith was eliminated from the playoffs at the conclusion of the Round of 8 at Martinsville. In addition, he was fined US$10,000 for slapping Cole Custer in a post-race altercation.[18]

Cup Series

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On January 18, 2023, Kaulig Racing announced that Smith will attempt to make his Cup Series debut in the 2023 Daytona 500, with an additional four race schedule, driving a third car for the team.[19] Smith failed to make the Daytona 500 after finishing 18th in Duel 1 of the 2023 Bluegreen Vacations Duels.[20] Smith made his official Cup debut at Richmond, finishing 17th.[21]

Personal life

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Smith attended Pickens High School in Jasper, Georgia and was a part of the graduating class of 2020.[22] Smith's father, Mike Smith, is the owner of Smith General Contracting, a business that sponsors much of Chandler's racing endeavors.[23]

Smith proposed to his girlfriend Kenzie Grams on New Year's Day in 2021; they were married on July 17, 2021. On February 4, 2022, they announced they were expecting their first child and on August 4, 2022, their son Chandler Smith Jr. was born. They announced on May 12, 2023, they were expecting their second son.

Motorsports career results

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NASCAR

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

Cup Series

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NASCAR Cup Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 NCSC Pts Ref
2023 Kaulig Racing 13 Chevy DAY
DNQ 		CAL LVS PHO ATL COA RCH
17 		BRD MAR TAL DOV KAN DAR CLT GTW SON NSH CSC ATL NHA POC RCH MCH IRC GLN DAY
15 		DAR KAN BRI TEX TAL
11 		ROV LVS HOM MAR PHO 47th 01 [24]
Daytona 500
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Year Team Manufacturer Start Finish
2023 Kaulig Racing Chevrolet DNQ

Xfinity Series

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NASCAR Xfinity Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 NXSC Pts Ref
2022 Sam Hunt Racing 26 Toyota DAY CAL LVS PHO ATL COA RCH MAR TAL
38 		DOV
21 		DAR TEX CLT PIR NSH ROA ATL NHA POC IRC MCH GLN DAY DAR KAN BRI TEX TAL ROV LVS HOM
7 		MAR PHO 87th 01 [25]
2023 Kaulig Racing 16 Chevy DAY
12 		CAL
4 		LVS
3* 		PHO
5 		ATL
28 		COA
12 		RCH
1* 		MAR
10 		TAL
25 		DOV
13 		DAR
36 		CLT
13 		PIR
9 		SON
14 		NSH
12* 		CSC
8 		ATL
20 		NHA
2 		POC
20 		ROA
37 		MCH
20 		IRC
34 		GLN
8 		DAY
22 		DAR
12 		KAN
32 		BRI
5 		TEX
4 		ROV
12 		LVS
4 		HOM
34 		MAR
36 		PHO
8 		9th 2219 [26]
2024 Joe Gibbs Racing 81 Toyota DAY
5 		ATL
2 		LVS
3 		PHO
1* 		COA
8 		RCH
1 		MAR
3 		TEX
15 		TAL
25 		DOV
7 		DAR
12 		CLT
18 		PIR
35 		SON
7 		IOW
8* 		NHA
15 		NSH
2 		CSC
38 		POC
15 		IND
33 		MCH
27 		DAY
2 		DAR
8 		ATL
4 		GLN
4 		BRI
3 		KAN
3* 		TAL
5 		ROV
5 		LVS
4 		HOM
13 		MAR
3 		PHO
5 		5th 2314 [27]

Craftsman Truck Series

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NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 NCTC Pts Ref
2019 Kyle Busch Motorsports 51 Toyota DAY ATL LVS MAR TEX DOV KAN CLT TEX IOW
8 		BRI
2 		MSP LVS TAL MAR 24th 171 [28]
46 GTW
4 		CHI KEN POC ELD MCH PHO
3 		HOM
2020 51 DAY LVS CLT ATL HOM POC KEN
22 		TEX KAN KAN MCH
38 		DRC DOV
20 		GTW
23 		DAR
23 		RCH
12 		BRI
5 		LVS
5 		TAL
3 		KAN
5 		TEX
21 		MAR PHO
3 		19th 312 [29]
2021 18 DAY
9* 		DRC
12 		LVS
19 		ATL
35 		BRD
34 		RCH
4 		KAN
11 		DAR
27 		COA
33 		CLT
6 		TEX
5 		NSH
13* 		POC
25 		KNX
2* 		GLN
40 		GTW
28 		DAR
7 		BRI
1 		LVS
35 		TAL
19 		MAR
4 		PHO
1 		8th 2230 [30]
2022 DAY
21 		LVS
1* 		ATL
4 		COA
5 		MAR
6 		BRD
19 		DAR
21 		KAN
4 		TEX
8 		CLT
8 		GTW
3 		SON
5 		KNX
13 		NSH
15 		MOH
6 		POC
1* 		IRP
18 		RCH
1* 		KAN
6 		BRI
9* 		TAL
14 		HOM
10 		PHO
3 		3rd 4034 [31]
2023 Rackley WAR 25 Chevy DAY LVS ATL COA TEX BRD MAR KAN DAR NWS CLT GTW NSH MOH POC RCH IRP MLW KAN BRI TAL
4 		HOM PHO 92nd 01 [32]

* Season still in progress
1 Ineligible for series points

Pinty's Series

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NASCAR Pinty's Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 NPSC Pts Ref
2019 22 Racing 26 Chevy MSP JUK ACD TOR SAS SAS EIR CTR RIS MSP
23 		ASE NHA JUK 46th 21 [33]

ARCA Menards Series

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(key) (Bold – Pole position awarded by qualifying time. Italics – Pole position earned by points standings or practice time. * – Most laps led.)

ARCA Menards Series results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 AMSC Pts Ref
2018 Venturini Motorsports 20 Toyota DAY NSH
5 		SLM
10* 		TAL TOL
4* 		CLT POC MCH IOW
2 		ELK
6* 		POC ISF BLN
7 		DSF SLM
1* 		IRP
3 		KAN 14th 1995 [34]
15 MAD
1* 		GTW CHI
2019 20 DAY FIF
4 		SLM
4 		TAL NSH
3 		TOL
1* 		CLT POC MCH MAD
1* 		GTW
16 		CHI ELK
1* 		IOW
1* 		POC
8 		ISF DSF SLM
8 		IRP
1 		KAN 11th 2420 [35]
2020 DAY PHO
1 		TAL POC
2 		IRP
1* 		KEN IOW
4 		KAN TOL
11* 		TOL
2 		MCH DAY
9 		GTW
2 		L44
8 		TOL
2 		BRI
23 		WIN MEM
5 		ISF KAN
13 		10th 506 [36]
2021 25 DAY PHO TAL KAN TOL CLT MOH POC
12 		ELK BLN IOW WIN GLN MCH ISF MLW DSF BRI SLM KAN 90th 33 [37]
2022 15 DAY PHO TAL KAN CLT IOW BLN ELK MOH POC IRP
1* 		MCH GLN ISF MLW DSF KAN BRI SLM TOL 68th 48 [38]

ARCA Menards Series East

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ARCA Menards Series East results
Year Team No. Make 1 2 3 4 5 6 AMSEC Pts Ref
2020 Venturini Motorsports 20 Toyota NSM TOL DOV TOL
2 		BRI
23 		FIF 21st 64 [39]

References

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  1. ^ "Chandler Smith, Bando Nationals Champion, Surprise Party". www.knowpickens.com. Archived from the original on July 11, 2022. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  2. ^ Krall, Charles. "Chandler Smith Re-Signs for 11 Races with Venturini Motorsports in 2019". arcaracing.com. Retrieved November 2, 2018.
  3. ^ Kristl, Mark (December 20, 2019). "Chandler Smith to run 13 ARCA races, Ryan Repko to run 5". Frontstretch. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  4. ^ "TRD driver Chandler Smith to compete in four NGOTS races for KBM in 2019". Kyle Busch Motorsports. February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
  5. ^ "Chandler Smith to compete in eight races in the No. 51 JBL Tundra". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. March 3, 2020. Retrieved June 1, 2020.
  6. ^ Cheek, Adam (October 25, 2020). "'KBM Trucks Run Over Everybody': Ben Rhodes Among Drivers Angry As Wrecks Mar Texas Truck Race". Frontstretch. Retrieved October 26, 2020.
  7. ^ Utter, Jim (December 7, 2020). "Chandler Smith to compete for 2021 NASCAR Truck title with KBM". Motorsport.com. Motorsport Network. Retrieved December 16, 2020.
  8. ^ "Chandler Smith disqualified after No. 18 KBM entry fails post-race inspection at Watkins Glen". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. August 7, 2021.
  9. ^ "Zane Smith proves third time is charm by winning Truck Series title". NASCAR.com. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 5, 2022.
  10. ^ "Chandler Smith to drive Rackley W.A.R. Truck Series entry at Talladega Superspeedway". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. September 26, 2023. Retrieved September 27, 2023.
  11. ^ "Chandler Smith to Drive Full-Time for Kaulig Racing in 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Season". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. October 5, 2022. Retrieved October 5, 2022.
  12. ^ Cain, Holly (April 1, 2023). "Chandler Smith finds late-race momentum, wins Xfinity Series race at Richmond". NASCAR. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  13. ^ Srigley, Joseph (October 22, 2023). "Chandler Smith, Kaulig Racing to Part Ways At Season's End". TobyChristie.com. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  14. ^ "Sheldon Creed, Chandler Smith join Joe Gibbs Racing; Aric Almirola to run partial schedule". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. December 13, 2023. Retrieved December 13, 2023.
  15. ^ Weaver, Matt (October 20, 2023). "Chandler Smith signs with Joe Gibbs Racing for 2024 NASCAR Xfinity season". Sportsnaut.
  16. ^ Spencer, Reid (March 9, 2024). "Chandler Smith surges in overtime, grabs Xfinity Series win in Phoenix". NASCAR. Retrieved March 10, 2024.
  17. ^ Albert, Zack (March 30, 2024). "Smith, Almirola, Love, Kligerman clinch eligibility for Dash 4 Cash opener". NASCAR. Retrieved March 31, 2024.
  18. ^ "Martinsville penalties: Chandler Smith fined for slapping Cole Custer at Martinsville". Jayski's Silly Season Site. NASCAR Digital Media. November 5, 2024. Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  19. ^ "Chandler Smith attempting to qualify for the Daytona 500 with Kaulig Racing; will run five Cup races this season". Jayski's Silly Season Site. January 18, 2023.
  20. ^ Albert, Zack (February 16, 2023). "Conor Daly, Zane Smith clinch final berths for Daytona 500 field in Duels". NASCAR. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
  21. ^ "Toyota Owners 400". NASCAR. April 2, 2023. Retrieved April 4, 2023.
  22. ^ Henry, Devon (March 9, 2020). "Balancing Life, School, and Professional Race Car Driving". Sports360AZ.com. Retrieved July 26, 2020.
  23. ^ "CHANDLER SMITH: DRIVER, NO. 18 SAFELITE® AUTOGLASS TOYOTA". Kyle Busch Motorsports. June 2021. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  24. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  25. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2022 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  26. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2023 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  27. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved February 17, 2024.
  28. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2019 NASCAR Gander Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved June 16, 2019.
  29. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2020.
  30. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2021 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved December 29, 2021.
  31. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2022 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 20, 2022.
  32. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2023 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 30, 2023.
  33. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2019 NASCAR Pinty's Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 1, 2020.
  34. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2018 ARCA Racing Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  35. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2019 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved May 20, 2019.
  36. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2020 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 28, 2020.
  37. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2021 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved August 7, 2021.
  38. ^ "Chandler Smith – 2022 ARCA Menards Series Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
  39. ^ "Chandler Smith– 2020 ARCA Menards Series East Results". Racing-Reference. NASCAR Digital Media, LLC. Retrieved September 19, 2020.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by Snowball Derby Winner
2021 		Succeeded by
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