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Dec 24, 2024 | 8:08 AM EST
If FRM and 23XI Racing could not compete as chartered teams, Bob Jenkins said both could lose up to $45 Million. This stat shows what could go wrong in your NASCAR career if you lack finances. Since its inception in 1949, the sport has been based on independent entities willing to invest their money in race cars. This aspect almost pushed Chandler Smith out of a job this season.
And it is not like the Xfinity Series driver lacks talent. Chandler Smith drove the No. 81 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing and dazzled his fans in 2024. In addition to 2 victories, he collected 22 top-tens and 17 top-fives. Smith almost cracked the Championship 4. These star-studded facts leave fans scratching their heads about Smith’s reduced fortunes.
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Well, the cracks appeared this year. In 2023, Smith left Toyota to race for Kaulig Racing in a full Xfinity Series season and part-time Cup Series starts. Then, Quick Tie sponsored Smith in every race. In 2024, though, that sponsorship fell to 15 races. Chandler Smith had to step up with partner Mobil 1, and, among other sponsors. His family also stepped up with Smith General Contracting, sponsoring six races. In October though, right before the Martinsville race, Smith declared Toyota would be leaving him and he may be jobless next season.
However, Front Row Motorsports came to his rescue. Soon after it got its chartered seat confirmed for 2025, it secured a place for the 22-year-old driver in its Craftsman Truck Series line-up alongside Layen Riggs. Yet NASCAR Eric Estepp was baffled that a talented racer like Chandler Smith could only afford a Truck seat. “Smith scored more top-five finishes – 17 – than anyone in the NASCAR Xfinity Series last season. He also grabbed two wins in his first year with JGR. I’m surprised the Truck Series turned out to be Chandler Smith’s best option.” Estepp outlined the feathers on Smith’s cap. He “won the Snowball Derby as a teenager, won five Truck races across two full-time years with KBM, won Xfinity races with both Kaulig Racing and JGR, finished 17th in his Cup Series debut two years ago with Kaulig at Richmond.”
via Getty
BRISTOL, TENNESSEE – AUGUST 15: Chandler Smith, driver of the #51 iBUYPOWER Toyota, stands on the grid during qualifying for the NASCAR Gander Outdoor Truck Series UNOH 200 presented by Ohio Logistics at Bristol Motor Speedway on August 15, 2019 in Bristol, Tennessee. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)
And yet, Chandler Smith found himself at the receiving end of NASCAR’s financial structure. Estepp said, “What if I told you that guy was jobless in mid-December and had to settle for a Truck Series ride?” While passing his verdict, Estepp concluded that the only reason was finances. Smith was ready to work for his father’s construction business next year just to make ends meet. “It’s gotta be money, right? Chandler Smith may not have the funding that he used to. Maybe William Sawalich, Taylor Gray, Brandon Jones just have more.”
Although Smith still got a chance in a championship-contending Truck team, fans also sympathized with his fallen stature.
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Is it fair that Chandler Smith's career is dictated by finances rather than his racing prowess?
Debate
Sometimes, things do not fall in place although you expect them to. Chandler Smith had been on a winning streak even before he entered NASCAR’s national levels. He owns 10 wins, 23 top-fives, and 30 top-ten finishes in his ARCA Menards Series career. Most recently, he brought three wins in Xfinity in just two years’ time. So one fan could not help but say that he deserved better: “Crazy trucks was the best he could do. Still a good get for FRM.” Another fan chimed with the same sentiment, highlighting how money got in his way. He had a championship-contending season and yet ended up in a lower rung. “I’m thrilled for @CSmith_Racing but it is a dam shame that a guy who had a championship-winning season in @NASCAR_Xfinity has to take a step back because of $$$”
Chandler Smith’s Truck Series resume is also impeccable. Through his two-year tenure at Kyle Busch Motorsports, Smtih fetched five wins and also a Championship 4 appearance. Clearly, he has already proved his worth in Trucks. So one fan said stepping back down again can mean one thing: “Demoted.” Besides fetching 25 top-fives in 69 starts in Xfinity, Smith also won the 2021 Snowball Derby at 19 years old. Another fan commented accordingly: “He deserves better then this ngl.” Somebody else echoed the same sentiment, albeit admitting FRM holds good promises for him. “Didn’t see this one coming, but I like it.”
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Evidently, Chandler Smith is whipping up a load of sympathy surrounding his racing career. As the 2025 season rolls around, let us see what the Truck series holds in store for him.
Let the world know your perspective.
Debate
Debate
Is it fair that Chandler Smith's career is dictated by finances rather than his racing prowess?
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