Despite having a pair of Xfinity Series victories for Joe Gibbs Racing in 2024, Chandler Smith is uncertain of what his 2025 racing plans are, he said following a 13th-place finish in Saturday’s Credit One NASCAR Amex Credit Card 300 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Smith enters the Round of 8 elimination race at Martinsville Speedway fifth on the playoff grid, 28 points below the elimination line. His strategy is simply.
“For somebody that don’t have a job next year in the industry — I’m probably going to be working for my dad on the construction side, just because of how some things are unfortunately are playing out — I feel like I don’t owe anybody anything going to Martinsville,” Smith told NBC Sports.
When followed up at the track with reporters, Smith said, “There’s not really any seats left open. The only seats left open, you have to bring a big, big, big pocketbook with you and I don’t have a big pocketbook.”
Smith had reportedly garnered interest from Front Row Motorsports, among other teams in the sport. Joe Gibbs Racing has already announced three of its drivers for next year’s Xfinity lineup. Brandon Jones will return to the team after spending two seasons at JR Motorsports, Taylor Gray will pilot the No. 54 Toyota, while William Sawalich will take over the No. 18 car.
Steve deSouza, JGR’s EVP NASCAR Xfinity Series/Development, told SiriusXM NASCAR Radio on Thursday morning that Smith’s status with the team for 2025 was to be determined, though the team is working on fielding a fourth car.
