Sammy Smith, 22, has announced he will not keep driving the No. 8 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports into the 2027 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season.
Career Transition
After securing his first victory at Phoenix while driving for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2023, Smith joined JR Motorsports at the start of the 2024 season and assumed the No. 8 seat. On social media he declared a “new chapter, same mindset,” expressed gratitude to teammates and sponsors, and confirmed that the drive to win the championship will continue to the finish line.
Championship Highlights
Smith’s podium record includes wins at Phoenix (2023), Talladega (2024), and Rockingham (2025), bringing his career total to three series victories. His highest points finish was sixth in 2023; since moving to JR Motorsports he has topped the standings at eighth, a position he currently holds in the 2026 leaderboard, though he has not yet claimed another win after 23 races.
Series Profile
JR Motorsports fields four full‑time entries—Nos. 1, 7, 8, 88—and a part‑time No. 9. The release of the No. 8 driver slot presents a strategic opportunity as the team looks ahead to its next season.
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