Chandler Smith has opened up about the challenges that almost led him to leave NASCAR behind. Despite an impressive performance throughout the 2024 season, finishing third in the Xfinity Series, Smith faced the possibility of stepping away from racing due to contract and sponsorship uncertainties.
Reflecting on his difficult journey, Smith described how he nearly abandoned NASCAR to join his father’s construction business, a path he considered to ensure financial stability for his family in light of a racing career he could no longer rely on.
Smith’s 2024 season was successful for the driver, including a win at Richmond Raceway, where he led a sweep for Joe Gibbs Racing. This was his second win of the Xfinity Series season and bolstered his career tally to three wins.
Smith maintained a strong performance throughout the 2024 season, securing two wins and 17 top-5 finishes, positioning himself as a championship contender. Smith also earned his fifth career Xfinity Series pole and second of the year at Bristol Motor Speedway. However, despite his successful run, the Georgia native was dealt a poor hand of cards when Joe Gibbs Racing chose not to renew his contract for the 2025 season.
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With the team’s decision to enlist young talents like William Sawalich, Taylor Gray, and Brandon Jones, Smith found himself without a seat amid a crowded NASCAR lineup, exacerbated by struggles securing sufficient sponsorship.
The uncertainty surrounding his future led Smith to put together a plan B – an exit from the sport. As he weighed his options, the prospect of working in his father’s construction business became a serious consideration.
“I have a wife and two kids that I need to provide for and God has blessed me with a talent where I have proven that I can race at this level to make a living for them. But there was a reality where it looked like it might not make sense for me to race cars for a living,” Smith revealed via Sportsnaut. “I really was preparing to go work for my dad and it wasn’t easy.”
Despite these difficult times, Smith remained committed to giving his best for his team, displaying dedication under the pressure of an uncertain future. He leaned heavily on his faith to navigate the stress.
“It was tough. I was still with our Joe Gibbs Racing team and still trying to win a championship for them, and realized I needed to come to peace with everything and trust God with this situation, that it was going to work out the way it should and just enjoy racing with the guys that I really enjoyed racing with… Did it still keep me up at night? It really did.”
Fortunately, a new chapter is on the horizon for Smith, as he has secured a seat for the upcoming 2025 season, though the team has yet to be officially announced.
“I have some exciting things going on next year. I have signed something and I think we’re going to share the news in the next couple of weeks,” Smith shared.
Smith’s story reflects the broader reality many NASCAR drivers face, where talent alone is sometimes not enough to secure a stable career. Sponsorship can significantly alter a driver’s career path, as evidenced by Smith’s experience this past year.
