About Sammy
Sammy Smith, a Johnston, Iowa native, is an up-and-coming driver turning heads as he continues to make a name for himself. Many experts consider Smith the driver to look out for as his talent and drive are undeniable.
At age 10, Smith started racing in Legend Cars, amassing 31 wins in three years of competition. In 2019, Sammy turned his attention to Late Model racing, succeeding in both Pro and Super Late Models with multiple teams.
By 2021, Smith made his ARCA Menards Series East debut behind the wheel of the No. 18 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing. In an eight-race season that saw him find Victory Lane on three occasions, the Toyota Racing Development (TD2) driver finished in the top 5 in all but one race and led 396 laps en route to his first ARCA East Championship. Sammy also continued to work on his race craft with the No. 22 Super Late Model for Donnie Wilson Racing, earning four wins and 13 top-5 finishes.
In 2022, he returned to the ARCA Menards Series platform with Kyle Busch Motorsports, competed with Donnie Wilson Racing in super late models, and ran nine races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Across the ARCA platform, Smith won 12 races, led 1,988 laps, and collected the Sioux Chief Showdown and ARCA Menards Series East championships. Across nine races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Smith collected three top-10 finishes with a best finish of third at Watkins Glen International.
The 2023 season saw Smith moving to the NASCAR Xfinity Series full time. In his 13th start, the talented prospect scored his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win at Phoenix Raceway on March 11. After a successful 33-race campaign, Smith scored Rookie of the Year honors for the season.
In 2024, Smith moved over to JR Motorsports to pilot the No. 8 Chevrolet. In his second full season, Smith made his second appearance in the NASCAR Playoffs.
Career Highlights
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2023 Xfinity Rookie of the Year
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31 Career Race Victories in Legend Cars
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Two-time World Series of Asphalt champion in four years
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In two years, won six out of 11 SLM Crown Jewel events in two years
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Back-to-Back ARCA Menards Series East Champion, 2021-2022. In 37 starts, won 15 races (40.5%). Led 2,384 of 5,598 laps (42.6% laps led)
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Earned first career win in only the fourth start of his rookie season locking himself into the NASCAR Playoffs guaranteeing additional exposure for partners later in the season
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2018 Runner-Up in INEX Touring Points
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2018 Rookie of the Year at Elko Speedway
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2018 Big Top Nationals Champion at Texas Motor Speedway
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2019 World Series of Asphalt Pro Late Model Champion at New Smyrna
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2021 Win on third night of the World Series of Asphalt Super Late Model
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2021 Music City 200 Winner at Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway
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2021 Southern National 200 winner at Southern National Motorsports Park, ARCA East
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2021 ARCA Menards Series East Champion
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2021 winner Winchester 400 Super Late Model
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2021 winner at 56th Annual Governor’s Cup at New Smyrna Speedway
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2022 Race to Stop Suicide 200 winner at New Smyrna Speedway
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2022 World Series of Asphalt Night 7 winner – Super Late Model
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2022 World Series of Asphalt Super Late Model Champion at New Smyrna Speedway
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2022 Pensacola 200 winner at 5 Flags Speedway ARCA East
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2022 Music City 200 winner at Nashville Fairgrounds, ARCA East
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2022 Zinsser SmartCoat 200 winner at Berlin Raceway, ARCA
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2022 Menards 250 winner at Elko Speedway, ARCA
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2022 Xfinity Debut at Road America
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2022 Redbud 400 winner at Anderson Speedway, Super Late Model
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2022 ARCA Menards Series East Champion 2022