BREAKING NEWS: Joe Gibbs’ retirement from racing, Chandler Smith secures a full-time NASCAR drive following the NASCAR rules.
Following his departure from Joe Gibbs Racing, Chandler Smith has signed a full-time driver contract with Front Row Motorsports for the 2025 NASCAR Truck Series season. After a season filled with strong finishes but ultimately without a championship win, Smith, who had a stellar 2024 NASCAR Xfinity Series performance with JGR, has found a new home. Chandler Smith was born in 2001 and has progressively risen through the ranks of NASCAR to establish a solid reputation in the industry. He drove the #81 Toyota and won races in Phoenix and Richmond in the 2024 season with JGR.
Additionally, Smith led multiple laps at different tracks and celebrated 17 top-five finishes. Smith decided to take a different approach because, despite his impressive performance, the championship remained elusive. As his season at JGR came to an end, Smith had to face the fact that there were few prospects for growth on the team. Smith gained invaluable experience from JGR’s competitive environment, but ultimately he was unable to achieve the growth he had hoped for. Smith considered quitting racing entirely in favor of investigating business endeavors with his father after coming to this realization. However, a timely career revival was provided by the chance to join Front Row Motorsports in their expanded truck program.
In NASCAR, Front Row Motorsports has progressively improved its standing, especially in the Truck Series. Smith gave the following explanation of his impending relocation: “I’m thrilled to be joining the truck program at Front Row Motorsports. With victories and titles, they have demonstrated that they are a serious contender in the Truck Series. I appreciate what they are creating here and feel privileged to be able to contribute. Although we are starting a little late, I am thrilled about the quality of talent we are discussing for this program in 2025.”
Smith’s participation already indicates the intention to improve their position in the series, even though FRM has not yet finalized details about the truck number, partner lineup, and crew. Smith will make his FRM debut at the Fresh from Florida 250 at Daytona International Speedway, which will serve as the first test of this new collaboration.
